Diseases Of The
Female Reproductive System

Diseases Of The Female Reproductive System

Amenorrhea is the absence of a menstrual period. Menstrual period refers to the monthly process in which the uterus sheds blood and tissue in preparation for pregnancy.  Most females begin menstruating between the ages of 9-18, but age 12 is the average and is known as the age of puberty or latest by 16. If menstrual cycles do not appear in this age, it is termed as Primary amenorrhea. Missing of three or more periods in a sequence afterwards is known as Secondary amenorrhea.

Dysmenorrhea is Difficult and Painful menstruation. It may include pain in the abdomen, back and legs, abdominal cramps, headache, and fatigue. The pain may be severe enough to cause disturbance to normal activities.

There can be many types of dysmenorrhea:

  • Membranous : hypertrophied portions of the mucous lining of the uterus being discharged. In this, pain is greater on the left side, shooting along the edge of the false ribs, up to the shoulder, then down to the ovary.
  • Neuralgic : Occurs in the feeble and anemic, as after nursing, flooding, prolonged diarrhea etc. This generally occurs in delicate girls of feeble constitution, inactive life, or poorly fed and overworked.  The flow is scanty, the pain paroxysmal, less when warm, aggravated by cold.
  • Spasmodic : Occurs from indigestion, nervous irritability, exhaustion etc. In this pain is in the back and the lower portion of the abdomen,
  • Obstructive or Congenital : Occurs due to excessive flexure or insufficient caliber of the canal or passage which convey the blood from the womb, producing partial and temporary retention of the menses. This type also includes mechanical problems from Polypi, Cancer, fibroid or other tumors of the womb which compress or distort , the canal or otherwise impede the exit the menstrual fluid,

Dyspareunia refers to pain in the pelvic area. It occurs during or after sexual intercourse. This can occur in both men and women, but is more common in women.

Endometriosis is a problem with the lining of the uterus. Normally, with flow of menstrual period every month, the lining (endometrial tissue) of the uterus will come out. Endometrial tissue is normally found only inside of the uterus. However, endometriosis refers to the presence of the endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. The most common sites include – the ovaries; the outside surface of the uterus; the fallopian tubes; ligaments of the pelvis; and the spaces between the rectum, bladder, and uterus. Less commonly the rectum, bladder, intestine, and appendix may be involved. Rarely, deposits (or implants) of endometrial tissue may be found in the lung, arm, thigh, and skin far away from the reproductive tract.

Delayed Sexual Development: Girls enter puberty between the age of 8-14. When this stage is late, it is called delayed sexual development. For girls, delayed sexual development can be defined as:

  • Absence of breast development by the age of 13 or
  • Absence of menstruation for five years or more after initial breast development

  • Leucorrhea :  Leucorrhea literally means a white discharge . It is a catarrh of the vagina, cervix or uterus, the result of inflammation or irritation. In healthy condition, the mucous lining, and the various glands which stud the vaginal orifice, secrete a fluid just sufficient to lubricate the opposed surface, and for other physiological purposes. In unhealthy conditions this secretion becomes increased in quantity, of an altered character, and varies in color and consistence; this is known as Leucorrhea.  

Symptoms may include – profuse mucous discharge of a white,  cream- yellow, or greenish colour; thin and watery, or of  the consistency of starch or gelatine; it maty present a curdled appearance, or appear as a thick, tenacious, glairy, secretion, and it may be inodorous or fetid.    

Its causes may be constitutional or local. Any habit or disorder which debilitates the constitution or lowers the tone of health is likely to be accompanied with constitutional causes. While excessive intercourse, and similar causes of sexual irritation, Polypi, little vascular mucous tumors, or other abnormal growth in the uterus, want of cleanliness etc may amount to local causes. It may also result from irritation or disease of an adjacent part – thread-worms in the rectum, Piles, Stone or Catarrh of the bladder, or the introduction of any irritation substance into the vaginal passage.

Infertility is a condition of inability to conceive after a year of trying i.e. having regular, unprotected sex without using any contraceptive of any type. It could be due to some problem with male or female or with both. Infertility in women is a disorder of the reproductive system that hinders the ovary’s ability to produce ovum, or some other problem with fallopian tube or uterus. There are many steps in the course of a successful pregnancy.  First, is a healthy ovulation, its travel to fallopian tube, its fertilization by a man’s healthy sperm.  Fertilized ovum need to move further to the uterus and also to secure itself with the uterine wall.  These are the preconditions to begin 38 – 40 week journey from embryo to fetus to baby.

Common causes of infertility in women include:

  • Menstrual cycle dysfunction -the most common cause of infertility in women is failure to produce ovum.
  • Problems with ovulation -something affects the development and release of an egg by the ovary.
  • Fallopian tube blockage -present from birth or may result from surgery, trauma, or infection in the pelvic area.
  • Endometriosis– results when tissue from the uterine lining is found outside the uterus.

  • Mastalgia is breast pain. There are two types of mastalgia, cyclical and noncyclic. Cyclical breast pain is most often associated with menstrual periods. Noncyclic pain does not vary with the menstrual cycle.

  • Mastitis is painful swelling and redness in the breast. It is especially common among women who are breastfeeding. While it is most common in just one breast it can occur in both.

  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome : It is a most prevalent life style related multi-system disorders of modern age. PCOS leads to a lot of hormonal problems leading to irregular menses, heavy or scanty menses, growth of unwanted hair, infertility, and diabetes. Ovarian Cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the ovary. During the menstrual cycle, it is normal for a cyst to develop. Most cysts are small and benign (not cancer) and go away on their own. Larger cysts can cause pain and other problems including High Blood Pressure, Diabetes etc. . Cysts if not dissolved of their own may become malignant and may lead to cancer.

  • Uterine Fibroids are benign growths that develop in the wall of the uterus. Many women do not realize it, and do not develop symptoms until their late 30s or 40s.These tumors often grow into the uterine cavity. In rare cases, fibroids may protrude outside the uterus toward nearby organs. Fibroids vary in size from very small, one inch or less (the size of a pea), to eight or more inches in diameter. These growths are not cancerous. Usually more than one fibroid is present.

  • The exact cause of fibroids is not known. Possibility of a complex interaction between genes, hormones, and environmental factors that cause these growths to occur in the uterus can be totally ruled out.

  • Vaginismus is an uncontrolled, involuntary spasm of the muscles surrounding the vagina. Though it is not common, but if present, these spasms cause sexual intercourse to be painful. It is a complex disorder because it is both a psychological and physical condition.

  • Vaginal Yeast Infection is caused by a yeast fungus. The fungus is called Candida albicans. While yeast is common in the vagina, it can cause problems when it grows excessively. This excess growth causes the uncomfortable symptoms.

  • Prolapsed Uterus: The uterus is almost directly above the vagina. In fact, the neck region of the uterus, known as the cervix, extends into the upper vagina. Ligaments hold the uterus in proper position so that it does not prolapse or herniate into the vagina. Uterine prolapse is a condition in which a woman’s uterus slips out of its normal position. The uterus may slip enough that it drops partially into the vagina, creating a perceptible lump or bulge. This is called incomplete prolapse. In a more severe case—known as complete prolapse—the uterus slips to such a degree that some of the tissue drops outside of the vagina.

  • Women with mild cases of uterine prolapse may have no obvious symptoms. However, as the slipped uterus falls further out of position, it can place pressure on other pelvic organs—such as the bladder or bowel—causing a variety of symptoms, including:

    • Pelvic pressure: a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis
    • Pelvic pain: discomfort in the pelvis, abdomen or lower back
    • Pain during intercourse
    • A protrusion of tissue from the opening of the vagina
    • Recurrent bladder infections
    • Unusual or excessive discharge from the vagina
    • Constipation
    • Difficulty with urination, including involuntary loss of urine (female incontinence), or urinary frequency or urgency

Symptoms may be worsened by prolonged standing or walking, due to added pressure placed on the pelvic muscles by gravity.

Cervical Cancer: The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects the vagina with the main part of the uterus. A tumor (Not every tumor) of the cervix can be cancer.  A benign tumor is not cancer. It does not spread to other parts of the body. A malignant tumor is cancer. Cancer cells divide and damage tissue around them. They can enter the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body. This can be life-threatening.

In the cervix, cancer can be of two types:

  • Squamous cell cancer- that arises from the cells on the outermost portion of the cervix that connects with the vagina.
  • Adenocarcinoma- that arises from the gland cells that are found on the inner lining of the cervical canal

Generally speaking, squamous cancer is more common than adenocarcinoma. Most of the cases of squamous cancer are associated with infection with a virus (Genital Warts or HPV), which, in addition to increasing the risk for cervical cancer, causes tell-tale changes in the cells of the cervix. These changes can be detected by Pap smear test.  Under this test, Cells of the Cervix and endocervix are examined under a microscope to look for abnormalities. The test aims to detect pre-cancerous changes (called cervical intraepithelial neoplasis (CIN) or cervical dysplasia). These are usually caused by sexually transmitted human papilloma viruses.  . The test is widely used method for early detection of pre-cancer and cervical cancer.

Risk Factors:

  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection: These viruses are of many different types, and some are associated with the development of genital warts and other forms are associated with the development of cancer. HPV may be passed from one person to another through sexual contact, and condoms are not completely effective in preventing infection.
  • Smoking: Cancer-causing substances from cigarettes have been found in the cervical mucus of women who smoke, placing these women at a much higher risk of cervical cancer development.
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection: This virus lowers the immune system of those infected; they may develop cancer more quickly than normal.

Other factors such as age and family history etc. cannot be completely avoided.

Ovarian Cancer: In this, cancer cells grow in the ovaries. Apart from producing eggs, the ovaries also produce female hormones known as estrogen under the direction of the pituitary gland in the brain. Cancer occurs when cells in the body (in this case ovarian cells) divide without control or order.  As usual, the term cancer is used when a malignant tumor develops as a result of uncontrollable division of cells. It can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor does not spread.

There are several cancers and several more benign tumors that may occur in the ovaries. Most cancers are called epithelial cell tumors.  These tumors may grow to a considerable size before they cause severe symptoms. Malignant ovarian tumors may spread by shedding cells into the peritoneal cavity, which then causes metastasis (spread of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another through blood vessels or lymph) throughout the abdomen and are difficult to treat. Early detection is very important to help prevent the cancer from spreading.

Uterine Cancer: It occurs when cancer cells grow in the uterus (womb). The walls of the uterus (not including the cervix) are made of the endometrium (the inner lining) and the myometrium (the muscular, outer lining). The most common type of uterine cancer, called adenocarcinoma, begins in the endometrium. Less common cancers, called sarcomas, begin in the myometrium. The symptoms of uterine cancer include abnormal vaginal bleeding (Most common symptom), troubled urination, pain in the region of pelvic, pain during intercourse.

Uterine cancer usually occurs after menopause. Being obese and taking estrogen-alone hormone replacement therapy (also called menopausal hormone therapy) also increase the risk. Younger women who do not ovulate regularly may also be at risk. If the woman has a problem that prevents ovulation then the ovary will continue to make estrogen. This will result in prolonged unopposed estrogen stimulation to the endometrial glands and this will increase the risk for cancer of these glands.

Adenocarcinomas are graded. Grade I means well differentiated, that is, they are easily identified as originating from the glandular tissue and have easily identifiable glandular structures. Grade III means poorly differentiated with loss of the glandular structures. They are just solid cancer. Grade II cancers are intermediate in appearance. Grade I cancers are expected to behave the best, Grade III cancers are the worst.

TREATMENT

               Diet

  • At the outset, do not take any Hormonal medicine and any Mineral/ Vitamin supplement. Those who are living in unhygienic conditions with no access to direct sunlight, may as an exception just take Vitamin D as a supplement. Requirement of all other Hormonal imbalance and all other minerals , vitamins etc must be fulfilled with life style modification and seasonal fruits, vegetable, milk, buttermilk and other easily digestible dairy products. Requirement of Protein should also be fulfilled with vegetarian lean protein sources only.
  • Totally avoid Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, smoking, Maida and its products and Junk food.
  • Avoid Fried food, processed food, stale food, fridged food, heavy protein based food,  and too frequent eating.
  • Take a balanced nutritious diet consisting of seasonal fruits, Green vegetables, leafy vegetables, easily digestive dairy products, and whole grains , sprouted grains , green salad.

  • LIGHT EXERCISES & YOGA :
    Remain active,  spend 45 -60  minutes every day  light exercises and yoga as under :

Light exercises :

  • Right from childhood till teenage should not forget to do Rope Skipping for atleast 20 minutes

From 12 to 35 years of age :

  • Neck Movement – Forward and backward bending, right and left bending, and neck rotation Clock and Anticlockwise.
  • Shoulder Movements– Shoulder stretch and shoulder rotation (Clock and Anticlockwise)
  • Trunk Movement – Trunk Twisting,.
  • Knee Movement
  • Ankle Movement – Ankle stretch and ankle rotation clock and anticlockwise.
  • Yogasana : Surya Namaskar, Tadasana, Utkata Konasana, Urdhva Hastottanasana, Kati Chakrasana, Trikonasana, Parvatasana, Vakrasana, Ustrasana, Janu Shirasana, Gomukhasana, Marjariasana, Bhujangasana, Makrasana, Shalbhasana, Dhanurasana, Pavan Muktasana, Matsyasana, Vipreet Karni, Setubandhasana,
  • Pranayama : Kapalbhati (15-20 Stroks only) , Anulon Vilom, Bhramari, Ujjayi followed by a 2 minutes of Dhyan and Prayer.

From the age of 35 onward :

  • Neck, Shoulder Trunk, Knee and ankle movements as above.
  • Tadasana, Vrikshasana, Konasana, Kati Chakrasana, Veerbhadrasana, Dandasana, Sukhasana, Bhadakonasana, Shashakasana, Marjariasana, Malasana, ParivrataSukhasana, Vipreet Karni with wall support, Ekpada Pawanmuktasana, Saral Bhujangasana, Saral Shalbhasana,

Yoga for Pregnant Women  :

  • Neck ,Shoulder, Trunk and knee movements as above.
  • Tadasana, Kati Chakasana (Avoid in 1-14 and 29 to 42 weeks), Ardhachakrasana (Avoid in 1-14 and 29 to 42 weeks), Veerbhadrasana (Avoid in 1 to 14 weeks), Dandasana, Sukhasana, Badhakonasana (avoid in 1 to 14 weeks), Marjariasana (Avoid in 1-14 weeks),  Malasana (Avoid in 1-14  weeks), Parivrata Sukhasana (Avoid in 1-14  weeks), Gomukhasana, Uttanmandukasana (Avoid in 1-14  weeks), Utkatasana, Sulabh Chakrasana, Supta Bandhakonasana (Avoid in 1-14  weeks), Eka Pada Uttanpadasan (Avoid in 1-14 and 29 to 42 weeks  ), Parsva Konasana (Avoid in 1-14  weeks), Jatharaparivartasana (Avoid in 1 – 14 weeks) , Shavasana, Balasana.
  • Pranayama : Anulom Vilom, Bhramari, Ujjayi, Sheetli, Sitkari  followed by 5 minutes of Dhyan and Prayer

Yoga for Lactating Mothers :

  • Neck , Shoulder, Trunk, Knee and Ankle movements as above.
  • Tadasana, Ardha Chakarasana, Padhasthasana, Trikonasana, Bhadrasana, Marjariasana, Parvatasana, Ardha Ushtrasana, Shashankasana, Setubandhasana, Saral Bhujangasana, Ardha Shalabhasana, Makrasana, Pawanmuktasana, Setubandhasana, Saral Matsyasana, Uttanpadasana.

Pranayama :   Bhastika, Anulom Vilom, Bhramari, Ujjayi.

Warning : Yoga should never be done forcibly, some asanas may be difficult to attain complete posture.  Attain only as much as you can achieve with a very little stretch.  Gradually, you will automatically be able to attain even full posture.

In case of  any chronic problem, please consult us before starting yoga. If necessary, we may modify some asana depending upon your specific disease and overall condition.

ACUPRESSURE:

    1. General for all women diseases : –

   B. For problems related to Uterus :

 C. For problems related to Fallopian Tubes –

 D. For problems related to Hormones – Please refer Diseases of the Endocrine System.

GENERAL BUT MOST EFFECTIVE MEASURES  (Must be followed even with medicines given below) : –

  • Keep the feet warm and dry. Similarly abdomen should also be kept war. Avoid exposure to cold in any way. Hot fomentation of lower abdomen for ½ an hour or more should be done at bed time.  Before going to bed feet must be dipped in hot water for atleast 20 minutes. However, in case of profuse menses, dipping of feet in hot water and hot fomentation should be avoided.  Instead cold fomentation should be applied and lifting or reaching any thing high should also be avoided; also warm beverages, tea, coffee and excessive eating should be avoided. 
  • Wear clothing which is loose and comfortable rather than fashion.
  • Outdoor exercises including walking, running, games of skipping rope, battledore, shuttlecock etc.
  • Nourishing vegetarian diet consisting of easily digestible food must be taken at regular hours three times a day. Use of Tea must be limited to hardly once or twice a day. Coffee and cold drinks should be avoided. Food made of High seasoning, spices etc should also be avoided.

HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES :

 1. Delay of the first Menstruation : If no congenital deformity or mechanical obstruction exist –

  • Puffiness on the face and ankle and anemic – Ferrun Phos 3 X ( 4 times a day) .
  • Pains in the abdomen and across the back, Nausea and vomiting, Palpitation of the heart, Indigestion, Loss of appetite, Alternate laughing and crying – Pulsatilla 30 (4 times a day)
  • Pain in the abdomen, giddiness, nervous headache, easily flushed face, sensitive skin – Sepia 30 (4 times a day) .  

 2. Suppression of Menses (Amenorrhea) :

  • Sudden suppression from exposure to cold, with heaviness, giddiness on rising from a recumbent position, Also, if from freight – Aconite 30 (4 times a day).
  • Suppression from mental emotions – Ignesia 30 (4 times a day).
  • Pain across the small of the back and lower part of bowels, palpitation, nausea and vomiting, sensation of fullness in the head and eyes – Pulsatilla 30 (4 times a day).
  • Morning headache, bearing down in the lower part of the abdomen, delicate constitution and sallow skin sufferings aggravated by rest – Sepia 30 (4 times a day).

 3. Scanty or short lasting Menses :

  • Watery menses, preceded and accompanied by cutting pains In the loins, chilliness, mild disposition – Pulsatilla 30 (4 times a day).
  • Sensitive to cold, weariness, torpid skin – actions, tendency to sick headache and Leucorrhea – Sepia 30 (4 times a day) .
  • Scanty, late, irregular, painful menses – Senecio 30 (4 times a day)
  • Cough and Hoarseness, with loss of flesh, and strength, and other hectic symptoms – Calc. Phos 3 X (4 times a day)

 4. Irregular Menses :

  • Select as per symptoms and medicines given in Delay of the first menstruation .

 5. Profuse Menses (Menorrhagia)  :

  • During the discharge . Also in the inter-menstrual period if blood (discharge) is thick and black or pale and watery, especially at the critical age, headache, sadness, shifting in the back and abdomen- Pulsatilla 30 (4 times a day). Any other medicines given below – during inter- menstrual period only.
  • Bloody Leucorrheal discharge after the cessation of the periods, resulting from chronic inflammation of the uterus Arsenicum 30 (4 times a day)
  • Profuse menstruation occurring too early, in scrofulous persons with itching and burning Leucorrhea – Calc Carb 30 (4 times a day)
  • Excessive discharge of darkish blood, especially when arising from undue ovarian excitement – Hamamelis 6 (4 times a day).  This medicine can be given during the flow also.
  • Black and clotted blood, unhealthy skin, scrofulous symptoms – Sulphur 30 (4 times a day) .

 6. Painful Menses (Dysmenorrhea) :

  • Due to inflammation or congestion of the uterus or ovaries, specially if attended with febrile conditions – Aconite 30 (4 times a day).
  • Burning pain, chronic inflammation of the uterus, Corrosive leucorrhea – Arsenicum 30 (4 times a day)
  • Enlargement of the uterus or ovaries, bearing down pains and heat in the vagina – Belladonna 30 (4 times a day).
  • Membranous Dysmenorrhea, usually menses too early and variable in quantity – Borax 30 (4 times a day)
  • Menses occurring at too short intervals, aching pains of burning nature and accompanied with gripping pain in the back and bowels – Calc. carb 30 (4 times a day)
  • Scanty menses, cutting pains in the region of the womb, abdomen, back and loins, with loss of appetite, chilliness, vertigo, etc. Pains moving from one part to another – Pulsatilla 30 (4 times a day)

 7. LEUCORRHEA:

  • Thin burning Leucorrhea, with too frequent and profuse menses – Arsenicum 30 (4 times a day)
  • Chronic Leucorrhea in children and in women of weak, scrofulous, and lymphatic constitution, too early and too profuse milky discharge, worst just before the menses, often attended with itching and burning – Calcarea Carb 30 (4 times a day)
  • In girls or occurring during pregnancy, pains shifting from one place to another, discharge is thick or corrosive with itching etc – Pulsatilla 30 (4 times a day)
  • Yellow, greenish or fetid discharge, worse before the menses, scanty menses, bearing down pains, constipation, delicate unhealthy skin- Sepia 30 (4 times a day)
  • Chronic cases and scrofulous constitution – Sulphur 30 – It may follow or given in alteration with any one of the above medicines. In later case, Sulphur for seven or ten days and then other selected medicine for seven or ten days and continued to repeat as long as necessary.

 8. INFERTILITY, PCOS, PROLAPSUS UTERI (Falling of the womb), FIBROIDS, CANCER ETC :

  • For non-surgical restoration write to us for proper consultancy and complete permanent cure.

Brain & Nervous System

Brain & Nervous System