Why following an Ayurvedic routine is important during periods?

​Today, in this world constant of evolution and struggle of success, we women do not care much about our own health. We cannot certainly be honest towards our health if we do not care about it. And moreover, how can we play different roles in our lives which require attention. Now days, we see women running around all day in fulling the needs of house members, struggling between home and workplace. Even during periods, a woman follows the same lifestyle and routine which she follows every day. However, this should not be the case during periods, says Ayurveda. You might have heard from your mother or grandmother that a woman should take enough rest and take light diet during periods which is now considered as just an old fashioned of dealing with periods. Even in advertisements we see women running and doing her everyday job even in periods. Well, with this what we are leaving behind is our good health. More than rest woman is on constant struggle. 

In my clinical practice, I see lot of young of girls and even women in their late 20’s and early 30 are, complaining of menstrual problems. Even you might know many females who are having such problems. Either some of them do not get periods in time, or some get excessive heavy bleeding all the time.  Mothers of young girls are seem to be worried as soon as their daughters are getting mature and have irregular periods. It is known that hormonal imbalance causes fluctuation in the periods when a girl mature.  And after one or two years, a girl starts having regular normal periods. But this fluctuation seems to stay for longer and moreover, now a day’s young girl in their 20’s complain of irregular cycle.
We wonder, why all of a sudden there are so many menstrual related problems occurring among young girls or adult women. Often people blame it to the current unhealthy lifestyle and some will be looking for a quick fox to this problem. Maintaining the balance of Doshas even at the time without menstruation is also important. The better way to maintain Doshas in equilibrium is to do yearly cleanse. Seasonal cleansing is highly effective way to balance and rejuvenate all bodily tissues so that they function optimally.
 
Well, Ayurveda takes an entirely different approach in this regard. Ayurveda has the treatment for different menstrual problems and moreover, it talks in details about preventing menstrual disorders.  

It considers having regular cycle as one of way of assessing healthy status among women. Menstrual fluid in Ayurveda is called as Artava/raja, which is a supportive dhatu to rasa and Rakta. So if you are having a regular cycle, you are having healthy artava dhatu. And moreover your rasa and Rakta dhatu are in balance. Further, due to certain diet and activities this Artava gets imbalanced and causes many menstrual problems-such as excess or less flow.

A regular monthly cycle which helps to remove toxins collecting in reproductive system are thrown out and moreover, it keeps a hormonal balance in the body. Therefore, it is necessary to support this process of natural body cleansing and take a special care during those period days; rest, rejuvenate and restore Agni (metabolism).

Better Ayurvedic care during your ‘period’s days’
You would have never though that you really need an extra care during your periods. Or maybe you do not know how to look after yourself when you are menstruating. Oldwives tales suggest to ‘slowing down’ and may be’ not to enter in kitchen or worship room’ during menstruation.  But today, women play an important role outside the home also. And thus, even during those difficult bleeding days she needs to carry out all the activities in the same fashion.
So for your wonder, Ayurveda- our own ancient medical science has explained something for you to follow during those days. Ayurveda says that a female needs to follow what is called as – ‘ Artava-charya’- lifestyle during menstruation.
 
 In my next article I will explain about that routine to be followed during periods. 

Namaskara, 
Vaidya Vibhuti Rao