All About Endometriosis and its Ayurvedic Treatment; Halsey also Struggled with it

Abstract

Endometriosis is a disease in which the tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It affects women of reproductive age. When the endometriosis involves ovaries, cysts called endometriomas can form. The surrounding tissue may get irritated and scar tissue may form. Group of fibrous tissue called adhesions may also form. This can cause pelvic tissue and organs to stick to each other. It can cause pain especially in the menstrual periods, and may also develop infertility. The aetiology of endometriosis is still unknown. The prevalence rate of this condition in infertile women is 20–50%, but it can be as high as 71–87% in women with severe pelvic pain and cramps. In clinical practice, multitasking and ambitious women have a higher incidence of endometriosis. Halsey is also suffering from endometriosis. In this article we will discuss signs and symptoms, causes, diagnosis, risk factors and treatment according to modern and Ayurveda point of view.

Introduction

Endometriosis is a female reproductive disorder where the endometrium-like tissue develops outside of the uterus. It usually affects the ovaries and peritoneum, causing premenstrual discomfort and dysmenorrhea. It is a chronic disease associated with severe, life- impacting pain during periods, bowel movements or urination, chronic pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue and sometimes anxiety and depression and infertility. According to a survey, the cost of endometriosis in India is around Rs 1 to 2 lakh per woman. Endometrium lesions are found in asymptomatic women and are detected in up to 50%.Endometriosis affects 10-15% of all reproductive age females and 70% of women with constant pelvic pain. The cause of endometriosis is unknown, but some factors cause this. The diagnosis of endometriosis is often delayed because symptoms like pelvic pain are also associated with other conditions.

Signs And Symptoms

• Excessive bleeding
• Pain with bowel movements
• Dysuria (Pain while urination)
• Dyspareunia (Pain while intercourse)
• Dysmenorrhea (Painful periods)
• Other symptoms like bloating, fatigue, diarrhoea, constipation or nausea. These symptoms are more common before or during onset of periods

Causes

The exact reason for endometriosis is still unknown, but there are some factors that cause endometriosis. They are:

• Retrograde menstruation: This occurs when menstrual blood flows back into the pelvic cavity through the fallopian tubes instead of out of the body.
• Surgical scar complication: Endometrial cells can attach to scar tissue from an incision (cut) made in the abdominal area during surgery such as a C-section.
• Embryonic cell change: The hormones such as oestrogen can cause foetal cells to switch to endometrial-like cell growth during puberty.
• Transformed peritoneal cells: Hormones or immune factors can help change cells lining the abdomen, called peritoneal cells, into cells that resemble the cells inside the uterus.

Diagnosis

There are several tests to check for endometriosis. They are:

• Pelvic exam
• Ultrasound
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Risk Factors

There are several factors that are more prone at the risk of endometriosis includes:

1. Menstrual History
• Starting periods at an early stage
• Short menstrual cycle
• Heavy menstruation that lasts for more than 7 days
• Menopause
2. Family History: Family members having endometriosis increase the risk of this.
3. Age: It most commonly affects women in their 30s and 40s.

Diet and Lifestyle Changes

• Warm bath and heating pad helps to relax pelvic muscles and also helps in pain
• Yoga and meditation
• Regular exercise keeps you physically and mentally fit
• Pelvic massage

Ayurveda View

Although there is no direct correlation of endometriosis in Ayurveda, it can be correlated with causative factors and pathogenesis. In Charak Samhita Yoni Vyapad explains mostly all the female reproductive problems. According to Ayurveda endometriosis may occur due to the disturbance and alteration in Vata dosha, apana vayu vikar. Apana vata is a sub type of vata dosha that is responsible for the downward expulsion of faeces, urine, flatulence, menstrual blood and childbirth. Apana vata blockage or obstruction causes retrograde menstruation (menstrual blood flows back into the pelvic cavity through the fallopian tubes instead of out of the body) and accumulation or movement of endometrial tissue to additional surfaces of the uterus such as the fallopian tube and pelvic cavity. Often scanty menstruation , severe pain and cramps are due to vitiated Vata, burning sensation and excessive bleeding are due to Pitta dosha and heaviness, fatigue and thin mucus with clots are due to bleeding related vitiated Kapha dosha.

Treatment

1. The first treatment of endometriosis is to balance the vata dosha. A subdivision of Vata called Apanavata is responsible for the downward flow of blood (menstruation). A disturbed Apanavata can alter the flow of blood (pitta) and cause Kapha dosha to aggress in places other than the regular ones.
2. Panchakarma Therapy: It is a therapy used for detoxification and Purification of the body. Some Panchakarma procedures are helpful in Endometriosis. They are:
• Abhyanga: This is a process in which warm medicated oils massage the whole body, especially in the pelvic area.
• Uttar Basti: It is a technique specifically medicated enema to remove endometrial growths and adhesions.

Journey of Halsey with Endometriosis

She had been diagnosed with endometriosis in 2016 after experiencing a miscarriage. She had her first endometriosis surgery in 2017 and she also attended the 64th annual grammy awards in 2022 just after 3 days of surgery. She has also been open about her endometriosis and called it a bittersweet diagnosis, she has undergone multiple surgeries and most of them are for endometriosis. In 2019, her doctors planned to freeze her eggs to improve the chances of conceiving and in July 2021, she gave birth and welcomed her son. Halsey has also been diagnosed with multiple autoimmune disorders including Sjogren’s syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, mast cell activation syndrome and ehlers-Danlos syndrome. She also shared that her health has changed alot since she gave birth.

Herbal Remedies from Planet Ayurveda for Endometriosis

Planet Ayurveda is a GMP certified company that offers herbal formulations/ supplements that are formed by using the ancient methods. Planet Ayurveda has an amazing combination of herbal remedies that act on Endometriosis and that is the Endometriosis-Care Pack. It contains 5 herbal formulations. These herbal remedies are prepared from using the best quality and strictly follow the principles of Ayurveda. They are:

1. Female Health Support
2. Aloe Vitals
3. Pradrantak Churna
4. Shatavari Capsules
5. Boswellia Curcumin

Products Description

1. Female Health Support

Female Health Support capsules is an herbal formulation consisting of Ashoka (Saraca indica), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) and Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus). It acts as an anti- inflammatory. It helps to reduce the pain during menstruation and also helps to reduce the excessive bleeding during menstruation. It balances the Vata and Pitta dosha and is also useful in female infertility.

Dosage: 2 Capsules twice a day after meal with warm water.

2. Aloe Vitals

Aloe vital capsules are the standardised extract of Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis). It acts as an anti- oxidant which helps to remove the toxins from the body. It also helps to balance the Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha and also effective in the inhibition of formation and regression of endometriotic lesions.

Dosage: 1 Capsule twice a day after meal with warm water.

3. Padrantak Churna

Pradrantak Churna is herbal formulation consist of various herbs like lodhra (Symplocus racemosa), Ashok (Saraca indica), udumbar (Ficus glomerata) and Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna). It pacifies vata dosha and also helps to balance the Kapha and Pitta dosha. It helps to reduce inflammation and re-forms the endometrium.

Dosage: 1 teaspoon twice a day with warm water.

4. Shatavari Capsules

Shatavari Capsules contain standardised extract of shatavari (Asparagus racemosus). It helps to balance the hormones and reduce risk of endometriosis. It increases the fertility rate and vitality of females. This formulation also helps in managing the normal functioning of the reproductive tract.

Dosage: 2 Capsules twice a day after meal with warm water.

5. Boswellia Curcumin

Boswellia curcumin capsules are polyherbal capsules made using Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Hairdra (Curcumin longa). It acts as an anti- inflammatory which helps to reduce inflammation and pain occurring in endometriosis.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice a day after meal with warm water.

Conclusion

Long-term conditions such as endometriosis, with symptoms such as Dyspareunia (painful intercourse), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), dysuria (painful urination), and chronic pelvic pain vary depending on the organ affected, but not the disease itself. A high index of concern is essential for early identification and management of bladder, ovarian and bowel endometriosis, improving quality of life and reducing infertility. Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatment was found useful in management of physical signs and symptoms of endometriosis like heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, etc. Treatment with a thorough consideration of the basic principles of Ayurveda and can definitely be helpful for the patients to fight against endometriosis.