A Critical Review on Artavavaha Srotas as Concept of Female Reproductive System in Ayurveda
Journal Title: Interventions in Gynaecology and Women’s Healthcare - Year 2018, Vol 1, Issue 2
Abstract
According to Ayurveda, health of a female starts in the fetal stage itself which describes the measures to yield a good female child. The distinctive anatomical and physiological features of women in each age group were well studied by the ancient sages of Ayurveda. Just as the river is cleansed by its flow the women are purified by the menstrual flow. That is the reason for the non-susceptibility of women to many diseases. The regimens to be followed during menstrual and post-menstrual periods are well advocated in Ayurveda. Disregard to these regimens is the leading cause for many of the gynecological and systemic diseases in women. In addition to the systemic diseases, 20 gynecological diseases are described, which are explained in the classics under the entity of Yonivyapad and all the Yoni Roga are the disease of anatomical components of Artavavaha Srotas (Reproductive system). In Ayurveda there is vast description of Artavavaha Srotas in terms of its moolsthana, Patho-physiology, clinical conditions and their ayurvedic management. Artavavaha Srotas shows quite similarities with female reproductive system explained in modern medical science. Anatomical defects of the reproductive system could be one of the commonest causes of bad obstetric history. Approximately 12 - 15% of women with recurrent abortion have uterine malformation. So there is need of time to elaborate the physio- anatomical and applied ayurvedic knowledge regarding female reproductive system for better female health. Ayurveda explained different structures or parts of the Artavavaha Srotas which are similar to the structures of the female reproductive system. The term Bhaga is in Ayurveda refers to the Smaramandira and Yoni which shows similarity with Vulva. It is of 12 Angular in length. It seems to be the description of circumference of entire vulva instead of introitus of vagina. Thus the word Bhaga gives the meaning of Yoni, which denotes the external genital organs of female i.e. vulva or the introitus of vagina. Smaratpatra is situated in upper portion of the vagina similar to the clitoris which is highly stimulated/erectile structure during sexual act. The word Yoni in Ayurvedic classics refers to entire reproductive system and also as individual organs. The word Yoni is used in different contexts to denote different organs of female reproductive system [1-10].
Authors and Affiliations
Lahange Sandeep Madhukar, Bhangare Archana Nivrutti
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP569105
- DOI 10.32474/IGWHC.2018.01.000107
- Views 87
- Downloads 0
Pelvic Trauma and Its Importance in the Treatment of Patients With Multiple Injuries
The importance of identifying and treating pelvic trauma is due to the fact that it presents about 3% of all skeletal injuries with an overall mortality ranging from 5 to 16% of patients with multiples injuries. The mort...
Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer ranks fifth with a 5-year survival of 40% for patients with advanced disease and remains the most lethal gynecologic malignancy among women [1]. Most patients with advanced disease undergo aggressive front...
Maternal and Perinatal Outcome in Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy still holds major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality & the commonest cause of referral to a tertiary centre. Objective: study the maternal and foetal outcome in p...
Features of Rheumatic Disease Management while Pregnancy
Rheumatism is a systemic inflammatory disease of connective tissue and joints with a predominantly affected heart. Children and young people are ill mostly: women are 3 times more likely than men. Therefore, the problem...
Anorgasmia
Female anorgasmia is the inability to have an orgasm, not to be confused with a lack of desire. They are different things, because in the woman does feel desire but fails to reach orgasm. Only 5% of cases of anorgasmia a...