Ayurvedic Concept in Understanding and Management of Pcod

PCOD stands for poly cystic ovarian disease is the most challenging edocrinological disease affecting 27% of women in today’s era. Also known as infertility queen, is the first and foremost cause of infertility. There becomes hormonal imbalance in the body targetting different organs and manifesting different symptoms. To balance the disturbed hormones, targeting organs and cure the symptoms manifested becomes a challenging task. Ayurveda describes concept of PCOD under yoni vyapad, artava vyapad and jataharinis. The treatment protocol includes diet, activities, medicine, panchakarma and yogasanas. This holistic approach as mentioned in ayurveda can reverse PCOD to normal stage .


Introduction
PCOD also known as infertility queen, one of the common fastest growing endocrinal disorder.It has a complex manifestation such as irregular menstrual cycle, heavy or scanty bleeding, obesity, insulin resistance, habitual abortion and infertility.It is the common cause of hyperandrogenism, hirsutism and anovulatory infertility in developed countries.Its treatment is very difficult and challenging.so a holistic approach is needed, which can be provided only through ayurveda.Exactly how women get affected by PCOS is not known, however these are some significant factors, Excess insulin production, excess insulin levels in body might increase androgen production (a male hormone which is very less in female) that causes difficulty with ovulation, excess androgen production .The ovaries produce abnormally excess androgen hormones that can lead to acne and hirsutism (hair growth on the face and body), Low-grade inflammation.As per the recent study, female with PCOS are having low-grade inflammation that causes increased level of androgen production which can lead to blood vessels or heart problem.Women with PCOS show certain genetics correlation.

Ayurvedic Concept
In Ayurveda most gynaecological diseases comes under concept of yonivyapad and artavavyapad and various jataharinis.The term artava has been used in samhita in context to menstrual blood, ovary and ovarian hormones.1. ARTAVA for Menstrual blood-In Astanga Hriday Arundatta tika it's mentioned that vayu getting aggravated, obstructs the artava , discharge of artava brings immediate relief and it resembles indragopa in colour.So here artava is considered as menstrual blood.
2. ARTAVA for Ovum-In Astanga Hriday sarir sthana it's mentioned that sukra and artava combination is divided by vayu, sukra after entering uterus admixed with artava.Here artava is considered as ovum.3. ARTAVA for Ovarian hormone -Chakrapani mentioned that artava is explicit at 12 years is formed in embryonic life.Bhavmishra considered artava as 7 th dhatu and sukra as 8 th dhatu 3 .
According to him all functions of conception are performed by artava.sushrut and vagbhatt while describing formation of placenta mentioned that orifice of artavavaha srotas gets obstructed and artava goes upward gets accumulated and forms placenta, rest artava moves further upward and helps in Stana vriddhi.All these references clearly indicate artava as playing role of ovarian hormones.
Ayurveda describes PCOS to have equal involvement of dosha, dhatu , upadhatu and agni.It does not co-relate the condition to a single disease or syndrome but the symptoms bears a resemblance with various diseases mentioned under concept of yonivyapad , artavvyapad and jataharini like-1.Anartava / Nastartava-In Sushrut Samhita nastaartava is mentioned and in Astanga Sangraha Anartava is mentioned.The symptoms are scanty bleeding during menstruation or absence of menstruation.2. Arajaska mentioned by charak.Chakrapani described amenorrhea as absence of menstruation 3. Lohitakshaya 4. Vandhya 5. Pushpaghni 6. Revati 7. Abeejata 8. Rajodusti and artavadusti 9. Sandhi The main symptoms of above mentioned diseases are decreased blood flow during menstruation or absence of menstruation.

Conclusion
This study concludes that ayurvedic approach to PCOD is not to focus as a single disease but a large number of symptoms of various diseases.Nidan parivarjan plays a very vital role along with consideration of patient prakriti, dosha-dushya involved.A holistic approach as mentioned can cure PCOD permanently and revert back to normalcy.