In both men and women, the urethra is the canal that discharges urine out of the body. The difference the Male Urethra and that of Female is, Male Urethra has dual functions. It discharges semen during sexual inter – course; and at other times it discharges Urine.

            The female urethra is quite short – 4 cm in length where as the male urethra is 20 cm long. Female urethra has a diameter of 6 mm when undilated. It is a narrow membranous canal. Its internal orifice is in the urinal bladder. Its external urinal opening is situated just above the Vaginal of orifice.

The female urethra is placed behind the symphysis pubis (the joint between the pubic bones of pelvis) and embedded in the front wall of the vagina. Its travels in an obliquely down ward and forward direction, slightly cured with the concavity directed forward. It perforates the urogenital diaphragm and as said earlier, its external orifice is situated in between clitoris and the vaginal opening. The urethra’s lining membrane has longitudinal folds, one of which, placed along the floor of the cancel, is termed as Urethral crest. Many small urethral glands open into urethra.

Structurally, the female urethra consists of three layers:-

The muscular layer is continuous with that of the bladder, it extends the whole length of the tube and consists of circular fibre.

Besides, between the superior and inferior fasciae (connective tissue forming membraneous layers of variable thickness in all regions of our body) of the Urogenital diaphragam, the female urethra is surrounded by sphincter urethrae membranes as in the male.

Structure:-

The urethra consists of three coats: muscular, erectile, and mucous.

The muscular coat is continuous with that of the bladder; it extends the whole length of the tube, and consists of circular fibers. In addition to this, between the superior and inferior fasciae of the urogenital diaphragm, the female urethra is surrounded by the sphincter urethra membranaceae, as in the male.

A thin layer of spongy erectile tissue, containing a piexus of large veins, intermixed with bundles of unstriped muscular fibers, lies immediately beneath the mucous coat.

The mucous coat is pale; it is continuous externally with that of the vulva, and internally with that of the bladder. It is lined by stratified squamous epithelium, which becomes transitional near the bladder. Its external orifice is surrounded by a few mucous follicles.

Several conditions affect Urethra. The female urethra being very short, is more prone to urinary treat infections than in the male Urethra. Bacterial infections are more common in females than men due to the short length and susceptible for all bacteria to ascent to the bladder very easily.

Cystites:

This is an inflammation of Urinary bladder along with Urethra, due to bacterial infections. (usually by the bacterium Escherichia coli). This cystitis is so common in women that every woman must have had atleast one attack in her life time.

The symptoms are frequency of Urine, with a degree of burning sensation. More severe attacks are often assoriated with painful passage of blood in the urine, accompaniedly Gamp like pain in the lower abdomen, the allopathic treatment consists of antibiotic administration and a copious fluid intake. An urine sample is tested for bacteria isolated on culture.

Urinary in continence: This condition is more commontomen. Females also suffer from this condition. A stricture’ that is a fibraous narrowing of the Urethra ( usually due to inflammation) brings on retention of Urine in the bladder. It is relieved by catheter draining of the bladder before dealing with the underlying problem.

Urethrites: Inflammation of the Urethra due to sexually transmitter infections. Allopathy treats this condition with anti-liotic the urinary tract infections described above lead to ‘Dysuria’ a condition of difficult and painful Urination. The pain is burning in nature. There may be pain in the lower abdomen, feeling of heairness in the renal region and ever – present urge to pass urine.

Ayurveda recognizes eight types of dysuria. It has a large array of medicines to deal with Urinary tract infections Drugs like shilajit, chandraprabhavadi etc are used.

Home remedies are:- Fomentation of the renal region with hot water bags, etc.

Prolactin – the hormone from pituitary gland

            Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the peasized, master gland, the pituitary. Pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. In non – pregnant women, prolactin circulates in low levels in the blood stream. In pregnant women it increases tenfold. Women and is released at various times throughout the day and night. Prolactin is generally released in order to stimulate milk production in pregnant women. It also enlarges a woman’s mammary glands in order to allow her to prepare for breastfeeding.

Prolactin is synthesised and secreted by lactotrope cells in the anterior pituitary gland. It is also produced in other tissues including breast and the decidua < decidua is the mucous membrane that lines the walls of the Uterus during pregnancy.

Effects of prolactin

To stimulate the mammary glands to produce milk (lactation): Increased serum concentrations of prolactin during pregnancy cause enlargement of the mammary glands of the breasts and increases the production of milk. However, the high levels of progesterone during pregnancy act directly on the breasts to stop ejection of milk. It is only when the levels of this hormone fall after childbirth that milk ejection is possible. Sometimes, newborn babies (males as well as females) secrete a milky substance from their nipples. This substance is commonly known as Witch’s milk. This is caused by the fetus being affected by prolactin circulating in the mother just before birth, and usually stops soon after birth.

To provide the body with sexual gratification after sexual acts: The hormone represses the effect of dopamine, which is responsible for sexual arousal. This is thought to cause the sexual refractory period. The amount of prolactin can an indicator for the amount of sexual satisfaction and relaxation. Unusually high amounts are suspected to be responsible for impotence and loss of libido ( see hyperprolactinemia Symptoms).

To decrease normal levels of sex hormones ? estrogen in women and testosterone in men.

Hormones that affects Prolactin

• Dopamins ( Neuro transmitter)
• Serotonin (neuro transmitter – concerned with process of sleep)
• Thyroid – producing hormone.

Serotonin and thyroid hormone help to increase prolactin release, whereas dopamine works to block prolactin release.

Prolactin changes during pregnance

During pregnancy. high circulating concentrations of estrogen promote prolactin production. The resulting high levels of prolactin secretion cause further maturation of the mammary glands, preparing them for lactation.

After child birth

After childbirth, prolactin levels fall as the internal stimulus for them is removed. Sucking by the baby on the nipple then promotes further prolactin release, maintaining the ability to lactate. The sucking activates mechanoreceptors in and around the nipple. These signals are carried by nerve fibers through the spinal cord to the hypothalamus, where changes in the electrical activity of neurons that regulate the pituitary gland cause increased prolactin secretion. The suckling stimulus also triggers the release of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary gland, which triggers milk let – down: Prolactin controls milk production ( lactogenesis) but not the milk _ ejection reflex; the rise in prolactin fills the breast with milk in preparation for the next feed.

Prolactin deficiency

Prolactin deficiency reduces or eliminates a woman’s ability to produce breast milk after child – birth. One cause of low prolactin levels and deficiency of other pituitary hormones is Sheehan’s syndrome, a rare complication of childbirth. Sheehan’s syndrome typically develops because of excessive blood loss and shock during childbirth, which results in partial destruction of the pituitary gland. Symptoms include fatigue, loss of pubic and underarm hair, and inability to produce breast milk. Prolactin deficiency has no known ill effects in men. Decreased prolactin levels may be caused also by Bulimia and excess dopamena.

Prolactin and Infertility

Prolactin doesn’t just cause body to increase milk production – it also affects your ovulation and menstrual cycles. This is why it is nearly impossible to become pregnant when you are breastfeeding. ( In fact, prolactin is 90% effective against pregnancy in the first months after birth).

Prolactin inhibits two hormones necessary to your ovulation: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Both of these hormones are responsible for heiping your eggs to develop and mature in the ovaries, so that they can be released during ovulation. When you have excess prolactin in your bloodstream, ovulation is nor triggered, and you will be unable to become pregnant. Prolactin may also affect your menstrual cycle and the regularity of your periods.

Prolactin irregularities

1. Galactorrhea
2. Abnormally copious milk production
3. secretion of milk after breast feeding has been stopped. Other symptoms are
4. Enlarged breasts
5. Painful or tender breasts
6. Irregular menstruation
7. Loss of sexual drive
8. Infertility.

2. Hyperprolactinemia - High levels of prolactin in the blood. One may suffer from both galactorrhea and Hyperprolactinemia at the sametime. Symptoms of high prolactin levels include-

• Prolactin levels at or above 600 mlU/I
• Infertility
• Irregulat menstruation
• Headache
• Reduced sex drive
• Vision problems

High prolactin levels also tend to suppress ovulatory cycle be inhibiting the secretion of both follicle stimulating hormone (FSIT) and gonadotropic – releasing hormone (GnRIT).

3. Prolactinoma

Prolactinoma is one of the more common causes of prolactin – induced infertility. Prolactinoma causes a tumor to grow on your pituitary gland. This tumor secretes excess prolactin into your body. About 10% of the population have these tumors. They usually do not pose any health risks, besides infertility, though sometimes they can interfere with vision.

Causes for prolactin irregularities

1. Use of drugs like anti – depressants, pain killers and opiates, block dopamine, preventing prolactin secretion from being inhibited. This may raise prolactin levels.
2. Thyroid disease
3. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Testing prolactin

Prolactin levels can be determined through a simple blood test. Normal prolactin levels in women are somewhere between 30 and 600 mIU/I. If your levels measure towards the high end of this spectrum or above, you may be suffering from a prolactin irregularity.

The Fallopian tubes, also called as oviducts, uterine tubes or salpinges are a pair of thin tubes lined with ciliated epithelia, leading to the ovaries and the uterus in females.
Anatomy
In a woman the Fallopian tubes carry the egg from the ovary to the uterus. The Fallopian tube comprises of three parts a lateral segment near the ovary that represents the major portion of the tube, the narrower part of the tube that links to the uterus and the part that transverses into the uterine musculature. The base of the Fallopian tube is the point where the tubal canal meets the peritoneal cavity, while the uterine opening is the entrance in the uterine cavity.
Tthe Fallopian tubes are made up of two types of cells. The simple columnar epithelium amd the Ciliated cells predominantly throughout the tubes. The female hormone estrogen increases the production of cilia on these cells. In between the ciliated cells are peg cells, which produce the tubular fluid. This fluid contains nutrients for spermatozoa, oocytes, and zygotes. This fluid secretion promote help the sperm by removing glycoproteins and other molecules from the plasma membrane of the sperm, thereby promoting fusion and zygote formation. The female hormones Progesterone and Estrogen increase the number of peg cells and increases the secretory activity respectively.
Functions
When an egg is developing in an ovary, the egg is encapsulated in a sac known as an ovarian follicle. On maturity of the egg, the follicle and the ovary’s wall rupture, allowing the egg to escape. The egg travels through the fallopian tube where the sperms are met and fertilization takes place. The fertilized egg is now known as a zygote, travels towards the uterus aided by activity of tubal cilia and activity of the tubal muscle. After about four or five days the zygote enters the uterine cavity and implants itself.
Sometimes the embryo implants into the Fallopian tube instead of the uterus, creating an ectopic pregnancy or tubal pregnancy.
Testing
A full testing of tubal functions is not possible. Testing of tubal patency is important as tubal obstruction is a major cause of infertility in woman. A hysterosalpingogram will prove that the tubes are open. Tubal insufflation is a standard procedure for testing patency. During surgery the condition of the tubes may be inspected with a methylene blue dye injection in the uterus.
Diseases of the Fallopian tube
The most common diseases of the Fallopian tubes are:
1. Fallopian tube Block
Pelvic inflammatory disease can affect the fallopian tubes. This might cause a Fallopian tube obstruction or Fallopian tube Block.
2. Fallopian tube cancer
Fallopian tube cancer is a rare problem that can arise from the epithelial lining of the Fallopian tubes. This Fallopian tube cancer is sometimes mistaken as ovarian cancer.
Remedy
The common remedy for fallopian tube block is surgery only. But in some cases where continuous cough, cold and instances of Tuberculosis is also responsible for the blockage, anti tubercular drugs are also administered with minimal results. The alternative to drugs in the treatment of fallopian tube block in allopathy is surgery only.
The surgical removal of a Fallopian tube is called a salpingectomy. To remove both sides is a bilateral salpingectomy. An operation that combines the removal of a Fallopian tube with removal of at least one ovary is a salpingo-oophorectomy. An operation to restore a fallopian tube obstruction is called a tuboplasty.
Ayurveda Treatment
In Ayurveda there are many remedies available for the treatment of the uterus ovary and even fallopian tubes. The advantages of Ayurveda are that it not only improves the condition, but also provides a life time solution for infertility.
Ayurveda offers a variety of treatments for female disorders. The ayurveda treatments available for the female disorders vary from drugs acting on the ovary to the uterus. Especialy the drugs that act on the uterus, improve the elasticity of the uterus wall and increase the flexibility of the Uterine muscles. The ayurveda drugs act like wise on the fallopian tubes and increase the elasticity of the tubes and flush out the secretions that block the fallopian tubes.
The ayurveda drugs act directly on the fallopian tubes and they not only remove the blockage but also provide resistance to the fallopian tubes and afford them the ability to further avoid blockages in the near future. This advantage of ayurveda gives a wonderful hope for the infertile couples.

Symptoms that should not be Ignored by women above forty

            Many bodily symptoms are ignored by women above forty, attributing the symptoms to menopause. Well, these symptoms may signal menopause but not always. Therefore when you feel these symptoms, consult immediately your doctor.

1. Pain in the Joints: If you feel persistent pain in the lower back, Hips finger joints, accompanied by swelling, it could be due to osteo or rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Depression: Could have several causes, including menopause. Actually, depression can bring on early menopause. You are depressed with feelings of sadness and anxiety and lose weight, memory loss, lack of concentration then better see your doctor / psychiatrist.
3. Palpitaions in the heart: If you experience irregularities in the heart rhythm, fast beating of heart accompanied with shortness of breath, you may need a E.C.G. Hyper thyroidism also may cause palpitations. See your doctor.
4. Menstrual changes: There could be a variety of changes. The bleeding could be more or scanty. The duration of the menstrual period may become loss or more. The interval between the periods could change. If there is a heavy flow of blood or if there are clots in the blood, spotting between periods, bleeding after intercourse, please see your gynaecologist immediately. More than menopause, the causes could be hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, cyst, uterine fibroids, cerival or uterin cancer etc.
5. Hair loss: This could be a thyroid related problem. Brittle mails, dry skin, excessive loss of hair could be the signs of under – active thyroid gland. Un treated hypothyroidism can lead to heart diseases.
6. Hot flushes: A sudden sensation of intense heat followed by profuse sweating is called hot flushes or hot flashes. This need not necessarily be due to menopause. Again thyroid imbalances could cause these sympotoms. If thyroid problems are not treated, if may lead to osteo – porosis and other heart problems. It is wiser to see the doctor for finding out the real cause.

Hair is 97% protein, called “keratin”. Skin, nails and hair are made of keratin. The chief component of keratin is sulphur. The relationship between hair and skin is very important. The skin is like a soil in which the hair grows, like a plant. The skin supplies the nutrients for the growth of the hair, through hair follicle. Sebaceous glands open into follicle through a duct. The secreted sebum lubricates the hair automatically and as we brush or comb the hair. Activity of the gland varies with age. The shape and size of the follicle decides what kind of hair will grow out of it. For instance, curved follicles produce wary hair. Hair grows at about 1 cm per month.

Hair problems

A. Hair Loss / Thinning

Most people lose 50 to 150 hairs every day. You have around 100,000 hair on your head. Sudden hair losses are caused by a genetic autoimmune condition called alopecia areata

Ayurveda cites Pitta Dosha in the body as the chief cause of all hair problems. Pitta gets increased by eating too much spicy fried food, coffee & tea, meats, alcoholic drinks, and also excessive smoking. Also stress can trigger hair loss. In adequate supply of proteins may also cause hair loss.

Solution

• Change your life style. Find out the part of your food which causes increase in ‘Pitta Dosha” once you locate this, you can try to eliminate the particular food from your diet. Your diet should contain more greens, vegetables, fruits, salads, milk, buttermilk, wheat germ, soya  and vitamin ‘A’. Some spices like cumin, turmeric and black pepper are good. You can sauté these spices (1/2 tsp each) in 1 tsp ghee and add to you vegetable.
• Natural shampoo is letter than the chemical ones, to wash your hair. Amla and shikkai, commonly used by Indians, are better, you can also wash your hair with water in which few drops of lemon juice have been added.
• A warm oil massage done at least once a week has lot of benefits. More of oil massage is described below.
• Regulate your bowel movements. Constipation may cause hair loss. Use mild natural laxative or Triphala, an ayurvedic medicine will help.
• Regular physical activity / exercise balances the aggravated dashes. Will reduce stress.
• While taking bath, cover your hair with shower cap so that the hair does not get wet. Wet hair comes off easily and increases hair loss especially when your hair roots are weak.
• After a hair – wash use wide toothed comb. Better use your fingers! Understand that wet hair is weak and tends to fall of easily. Massage your hair with fingers to increase blood circulation and activate secretion of sebum.
• Always use towel to dry hair and sit under a ceiling fan. Do not use hairdryer if it is switched on to “hottest” position.
• Brush your hair from the nape of your neck to forehead covering the hair to its full length. 50 strokes during the day and 50 strokes in the night leaves the hair clean. Do not Brush in hurry. If you have dandruff, avoid brushing.
• Excessive heat affects scalp & hair. Moderate sunlight and fresh air are beneficial. Use an umbrella or cap while you go out in the hot sun.
• An ayurvedic preparation made from Bhringraj, Amala, corals, Iron and black sesame seed is very useful.
• A mixture of lettuce and spinach juice induces hair growth.
• Application of juice of green coriander leaves on the head is good.
• If you have dandruff, lice, get rid of them.
• Wooden combs are letter as these may not generate static electricity
• It is repeated again here that ‘stress’ can seriously affect hair. Relaxation methods, meditation may help. If you keep on worrying about your hair loss, you are likely to loose more.
• Do not tighten your hair with tight rubber bands for too long a period. Any thing tight on the hair breaks it.

DANDRUFF

This is a condition in which the scalp is covered with small flakes. The flakes come away while brushing or combing the hair. Dandruff causes itching and hair loss. Itching induces scratching which causes further damage. Malassazia is the fungus believed to cause dandruff. This fungus is difficult to eradicate Dandruff may be caused by aggravated ‘Vata’ dosha.

Solution

• Massage scalp every night at bed time with one tsp each of castor oil, mustard oil and coconut oil.
• Massage the scalp with a mixture of one part of lemon juice to two parts of coconut oil. Leave for 3 to 4 hours; then wash off with warm water.
• Sandal wood oil (1 part) mixed with lemon juice (3 parts) is very elective.
• Do not use other people’s comb and do not lend yours. Dandruff is infective.

Premature graying

When a person’s hair turns grey before the age of 35, the condition is then called “premature graying of hair”. Excessive pitta dosha is the cause. Pitta is increased by wrong diet as said earlier. Some kind of illness, anemia, shock, certain drugs may also cause premature graying.

Solution

• Mix equal quantities of turmeric, amla and neem leaves and powder. One tsp of this powder taken daily twice, with water may help.
• As said earlier follow a bland diet regimen avoiding too much spiced food etc.
• Vitamin B complex is known to influence colour of the hair. Take this in consultation with Doctor.

Additional methods

Herbal decoctions can also be made with milk. The ratio is one part herbs, eight parts milk and 32 parts water. The mixture is boiled over low flame till all the water is evaporated. Milk augments the tonic and nutritive values of herbs like aswagandha or shatvari. Milk combines well with herbs. It is cooling, stops bleeding and reduces inflammation. When used with nutmeg, it promotes sleep.

Powders (churna)

Traditionally powders are prepared with mortar and pestle and filtered through linen. Nowadays for large scale production of ‘churnas’ machines like ‘Disintegrator’, ‘Pulverisor’ are used to powder the herbs. ‘Jarmil’ or ‘Ballmil’ crushes the coarse powder still fine.

‘Sifter’ is used to strain the powder. If several herbs / compounds are used, a mechanical ‘ mixer’ does the mixing / blending much faster and efficiently.

Powders require lower dosage than raw herbs. Powders should be taken with mediums like ghee, oil, honey or raw sugar. The medium should be twice the amount of the powder. When milk or water is the vehicle, then it should be 4 times the quantity of powder Rejuvenating herbs like aswagantha, pippali, and Triphala can be taken as powders. Powders work mainly on the gastro intestinal tract.

Pills and Tablets

Pills and tablets are often prepared from decoctions. Special ayurvedic pills are made with Guggals, a tree resin similar to Myrrh. These used largely for nervous disorders, arthritis and weight reduction.

It is easier make flat, oil free tablets. For flat tablets there are machines. Thread making machines, pill cutting machine, Polishing machines and granulator, enable production of pills of dry herbs. But oily substances like Sandal oil, Balsam etc can not be produced easily. These are produced as round pills. Capsules with small amount of medicines in them are produced by capsule filling machine and with soft gelatin capsules.

Medicated Wines

Herbal fresh juice or decoction are fermented by adding yeast culture. This mixture is allowed to ferment for days or months. Resultant herbal wines are easier to assimilate and promotes “Agni”.

Rasa Preparation

Mercury, sulphur and other metals, are used in special Ayurvedic alchemical preparations which are very useful rejuvenation therapy and have a powerful action on the nervous system. Such preparations are called ‘Rasa’ preparations. Metals and minerals are used in the form of ashes or “Bhasma” which renders them non – toxic. They are even combined with herbs. The metals and minerals mixed with herbs and are repeatedly powdered and dried to produce a very fine powder. Then these are ‘burnt’ in a special process, for which the fuel is Cow – dung cakes, The resultant ‘Bhasma’ is still made fine by using Jarmil.

Medicated oils

The preferred base oil for preparation of herbal oil is sesame oil. The medicated oils are mainly for external use. They work primarily on skin, blood, lungs and colon. A mixture of one part herbs, four parts of oils and sixteen parts of water, is boiled over low flame for 4 to 8 hours, until all the water evaporates Aromatic herbs like mint, jasmine or camphor can be added as a powder directly to the oil in  the ratio, 1 part herb to 4 parts oil. The mixture is allowed to stand for 24 to 48 hours. Then it is strained and used. These oils are used for sneham – karma – massage, nasya – nasal instillation, enemas and douches and orally.

Medicated Ghees

Boil butter over a clear fire till all the water is evaporated. Strain it through a cloth. Here the ageing is important. Ghee more than 10 years old or even 100 years old, can be used to treat alcoholism, epilepsy, fever and vaginal pain.

Ghee enhances ‘ojah’, the power of life in the body. The preparation of this ghee is similar to that of oil. It is used for massage or for nasya.

Poultices and compresses

Poultices enable direct application of medicine to the skin. Herbs are mashed in mortar and pestle. Enough hot water is added to soften the material. Then the material is directly placed on skin or between two pieces of cloth and laid on the skin. A light bandage is used to bind the poultice to the area.

Infusions and decoctions made from herbs and essential oils diluted with water are used for external applications as compresses. Dip a clean cloth in to an infusion / decoction, wring out the excess moisture and apply to the treatment area.

Herbal baths

Strong decoctions or infusions are added to the water of the bath – tub and the patient is made to soak in it for at least 30 minutes.

VESSELS TO BE USED

Ayurveda prefers to use earthen pots for herbal preparation. Otherwise, copper pots can be used for herbs which reduce kaphas. For pitta conditions a pot of brass or silver may be used. For ‘vata’ iron vessels can be used. Aluminum should never be used.

]]> http://skayurveda.com/types-of-ayurveda-medicines/feed 0 http://skayurveda.com/changes-in-the-sexual-functions-in-women http://skayurveda.com/changes-in-the-sexual-functions-in-women#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 11:37:02 +0000 Dr Senthil Kumar S http://skayurveda.com/?p=1068

            Aging causes changes in the sexual functioning of both men and women. However, it is not clear whether aging itself directly affects sexual functions or the diseases associated with aging cause these changes. But age related changes in the sexual lives of men and women are unavoidable.

            These changes occur gradually but progressively. These changes are physically felt mostly after 40 years of age. Some diseases like Diabetes or High blood pressure may cause sexual dysfunctions even before 40 years of age.

Changes in Women

• Young women can get ready for physical sex just in a few seconds. But women after menopause and women who have crossed 45 years of age, need more time (over 3 minutes) to get ready for sex. The ‘lubrication’ of the reproductive organs takes longer time.
• One of the most sensitive parts for women is their bosom. Caressing the breasts, triggers immediate response. But this sensuous feeling gets decreased as the woman ages.
• Younger women respond to stimulating foreplay faster. Older women need longer time to get sexually aroused. They need a longer foreplay.
• Aging weakens the body. Therefore women loses, albeit slowly, desire for sex.
• Body reactions after coitus, normally apparent in young women, do not happen as the women grow older.
• Physical changes caused by aging affect the reproductive organ of women. The lubrication of the parts, during foreplay and sexual acts, lessens, causing dryness. In this condition, the sexual act may cause more pain than plasure.

As the years go by, changes occur not only physically but also mentally.

The process of aging can be slowed down. Diseases also can be controlled. All these are possible with Ayurvedic therapy.

            Ayurveda has a good number of aphrodisiac formulations to cure any type of sexual dysfunction. It has medicines and therapy for retarding the aging process. Its ‘Vajikarna’, ‘Rasayana’ and panchakarma treatments restore health and rejuvenate both body and mind. Ayurvedic medicines are made from natural herbs and ingredients and hence are safe to use.

            “Begatting a child is more than a physical act; it is a grand ritual”.

                                                                                    – Caraka Samhita

Indiais an over populated country. Still pregnancy is considered as an important event that occur in the life of a woman, next to her marriage.

In the olden days, joint family system existed and the elders took care of pregnant woman and the child. Now that this system no longer exists, pregnancy has to be planned to enable the woman to get the possible care from her or his parents. Fortunately medical science has advanced very much and pregnancy and child care are better than what it was decades ago.

Planning pregnancy

• The great Ayurvedic Gurus, Caraka, Sushruta and Kashyap have studied and conducted extensive research on how to get pregnant, how to maintain it, how to deliver a normal child and post pregnancy mother and child care. Let us see what the ancient Ayurvedic texts say about pre – pregnancy preparations. These rules are to be followed at least 3 months before pregnancy.
• A healthy couple, desirous of offspring, should initially clean and detoxify themselves by evacuative measures. This purging has to be done before planning conception.
• Only a healthy body is capable of producing healthy cells and tissues. What you sow is what you reap. In order to conceive a healthy baby, the man’s sperm and the woman’s ovum should of good quality.
• If the cleaning / detoxifying with panchkarama and other / procedures is not possible then follow these steps.

a)     Have a well balanced, easily digestible diet. Include whole grains, pulses, bentils (especially green gram), fruits, cow’s milk and butter milk. Avoid maida, fatty & spicy food, refined sugar, curds and beverages containing caffeine. Acharya Caraka says “After evacuative measures, the man should adhere to a diet mainly consisting of ghee, and milk prepared with sweet medicinal plants and the woman to one with oil ana black gram”. The black gram has to be lightly fried in Til oil. These may be later be cooked to make curries and sweets. Limit coffee / Tea to 1 or 2 cups a day.

b)     Stop smoking and consuming alcoholic drinks.

c)      There are various herbs in Ayurveda that improve the quaity of sperm. Some of these are Aswagandha, Kapikachu (Mucuna Pruriens). Readymade herbal formulations are also available. Dates and raisins also help in improving quality of sperm. The woman should consume daily, on empty stomach twice a day, 30 ml of the decoction made from Brahmi, Guduchi, Dhurva, Haritaki, etc. These herbs are uterine tonics. This decoction may be continued during pregnancy also as it provides micro – nutrients to the fetus – As said earlier the woman should include black gram in her diet.

d)     Take your dinner by8.30 PMor atleast 2 hours before bed time. A light supper is better.

e)     Drink water only when you are thristy. Ayurveda believes that consuming excessive water dilutes the digestive enzyme and slow down digestion.

f)        Go to bed early and wake up early.

g)     Light exercises like walking, yoga etc can be done.

h)      De – stress your mind with meditation, pranayamam, with a hobby like reading etc.

i)        Modern doctors advise women to take folic acid (5mg) daily from the time they plan a pregnancy. Taking vitamin pills has to be decided by your doctor.

Now let us come to actual ‘act’ – the intercourse for pregnancy.

When not to have sex (for pregnancy)

• Caraka says that during the menstrual period of 3 days and nights, the woman should refrain from intercourse. Coitus during these days results in vaginal inflammation.
• One should not indulge in intercourse when one is beset with anger, depression, grief, anxiety and other negative emotions.
• Do not indulge in sex on full moon day, new moon day, Chaturthi, Shasti, Ashtami, Chaturdasi etc. Ayurveda believes that cosmic vibes on certain days are not conducive to sexual congress.
• Ayurveda and Rigveda dissuade having sex in the day time and the first and last quarter of the night.
• Do not have sex atleast for 3 hours after a heavy meal. Do not indulge in sex on empty stomach, or when hungry or fasting.

When to have sex and how (for pregnancy)

• It is important to choose the right time, right date and right place to have an intercourse.
• The most fertile period in a woman’s life is from the 7th to 17th day of her menstrual cycle. Every month, the day on which a woman gets her menses is reckoned as the first day of her cycle. Therefore a couple desirous of having a child, should indulge in intercourse from 5 or 7th day of the woman’s cycle till the 17th or 18 th day.
• The ideal time to have an intercourse is from9.30 PMtill mid – night.
• Ayurveda suggests that if possible, choose a propitious day having good constellation of stars.
• Caraka says that before having coitus, the couple should be well aroused and be desirous of the sexual act. Both the man and woman should wear white garments and garlands and approach each other with love and affection. The man should get on the bed with his right leg and woman, with her left. Both should recite two invocatory mantras addressed to the Gods. The couple’s room should have a large and comfortable bed.
• The intercourse should be performed in the “Man – top” position and not prone or sideways which can perturb the doshas. After the act the woman should not get up immediately. She must lie down with a pillow undder her waist for at least 30 minutes.
• The couple should have sexual intercourse on an even date after monthly period (wihtin the 7th to 17th fertile period) for a male child and on an odd day for a female off spring.

Ayurveda details the ways of taking care of a pregnant woman and the

child after delivery.

Sexual function is a complex phenomenon. It is a many splendoured act. It is a blend of mental and physical faculties. Though nature prompts it or nature teaches us how to make love, the art of making love and obtaining pure bliss from the act needs knowledge. While the act ends with orgasm, it should be started with fore – play.
Foreplay refers to a wide variety of erotic stimulation that precedes “real” sex or sexual intercourse. However, behaviors that commonly are labeled as foreplay are pleasurable sexual activities in their own right and need not be thought of only as preliminary to other activities.
What starts the desire for coitus? Sense of smell, (Perfume) and scent of the woman, her attire, light, non – sexual touches, caresses – these acts build up desire.
As part of a broader sexual interaction, foreplay is considered to be an essential component that stimulates and prepares the body and the mind/emotions to move through the phases of the sexual response cycle in preparation for orgasm.
Forplay – mental stimulation
According to Charaka, the best aphrodisiac for man is a receptive, understanding woman. Sexual arousal can be achieved by stimulating any of the 5 senses in man but a woman can stimulate all the five senses at the same time. Mental stimulation forms the first part of fore – play. Surroundings mellow moods. Emotional stimulation, brought on soft, pleasant location, paves the way for entering into fore play.
Touch is a key element of foreplay because the surface of the body is covered with many receptor cells (nerve endings) that transmit pleasurable sensations to the brain. Some parts of the body, particularly the clitoris, penis, nipples, fingertips, palms, lips, tongues, and soles of the feet have more densely packed nerve endings.
Basic ingredients of fore – play
1. Physical, mental / emotional stimulation
2. Trust and the feeling of caring
3. Open communication between the couple. Certain acts of foreplay may be highly erotic for some couplas but could be repulsive for others. Consequently, open discussion, sensiticity and acceptance are vital to healthy approach to fore play.
The touch – the key element
These sites are sometimes called the erogenous zones, although, in fact, the entire surface of the skin has been referred to as the body’s largest sex organ because all forms of pleasure during foreplay are transmitted through the skin. Consequently, caresses, hugging, holding hands, and related acts of physical intimacy, in addition to expressing key cultural meanings caring, safety, and arousal, are important acts of foreplay.
Light touching
Many people also find light touching or tickling of the surface of the skin to be especially stimulating. Back rubs and massages (with or without massage oil or other artificial lubrication) are considered to be very erotic by some. Others prefer more intensive hand to body caressing and exploration of the erogenous zones, commonly referred to as petting.
People vary considerably in the potential erogenous zones they find to be most sensitive. Some people like to have their neck stroked or kissed, an experience that conveys great pleasure and sexual excitement. Others enjoy having their fingers and/or toes nibbled or sucked.
Kissing and other oral stimulation
Many people find kissing to be the fundamental act of foreplay. Kissing involves a range of behaviours from very light lip-to-lip contact, to what is often referred to as “deep” or French kissing, in which partners rub their tongues against each other and over other mouth surface.
Generally, kissing is considered to be an extremely intimate and pleasurable act because it involves direct face-to-face contact and because the mucous membranes that cover the lips and mouth have an especially dense supply of nerve endings. Some individuals are particularly sensitive around their ears, inner thighs, or lower stomach, while breasts and nipples (for both women and men) often are highly preferred places for caressing and oral stimulation.
In addition to various sites around the body, most people are quite responsive to manual or oral contact with their pubic area, although the precise spot that is most arousing varies.
For men, the underside of the length of the penis, the head of the penis, the scrotum, or the area between the end of the scrotum and the anus (called the perineum) are often quite sensitive. Oral stimulation and sucking of these areas is referred to as oral sex. Oral stimulation of the penis is called fellatio.
Foreplay and Enectile dysfunction
We Men normally believe that foreplay is intended to arouse the sexuality in women. It could help them also to get over.
Take sexual dysfunctions turns touching each other with different body parts.
Request your body partner to stand behind you and stroke your body in down ward motions. This will pep your member up.
If your partner is willing, get her to fellatio.
“A sexually excited partner is the aphrodisiac par excellence” says charaka. Charaka contiunes “A man gets sexually excited by massage, use of scents, comfortable bed etc.”
Forplay & frigidity
Before foreplay or to start with foreplay, use gentle and kind words like appreciating her appearence, her cooking etc, to over come her initial frigidity.
Variety is spice of life. Try new variants in foreplay.
You must know her erogenous zones.
Do not fore her to oral sex. This many turn her off and bring in frigidity.
If your wife is frigid, prolong your foreplay.
A satisfactory sexual relationship can be maintained if man and woman share a close, understanding, companionship and mutual respect. The ability to create and sustain an unselfish relationship with a member of the opposite sex is an approved measure of emotional maturity. Merely emphasizing the physiology of sex act may completely miss the essence of the beautiful sexual relationship. It is a tragic example of emotional immaturity and lack of affection in the midst of materialism.

The natural phenomenon

Menopause brings about a permanent cessation of menses in women and occurs in the mid or late fifties. It means end of a woman?s reproductive life. It the time in a woman?s life when the ovaries stop to produce an egg cell very four weeks and the woman is no longer able to bear children Medically, menopause can be defined as an elevated follicle ? stimulating hormone (FSH) level.
In a way, women, especially working women, may welcome menopause as it gives them freedom from uncomfortable monthly periods and anxieties of conceiving.
In this era of availability of quality medical help, women must understand menopause so that it does not become an unpleasant experience.
The female sex hormones are Estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is important for reproductive functions and other body functions. Ovaries are responsible for the production of these two female hormones. Menopause occurs when ovaries decrease the production of these hormones. Normally it occurs between 45 ? 55 years of age. The average age is 52 years. It may happen early also. If a woman experiences menopause well before 40 years of age the reasons could be ? smoking, exposure to radiation, side effects of anti ? cancer drugs and certain surgery that impairs the blood supply to ovaries. Menopause could also occur with the surgical removal of both ovaries or uterus. This is called surgical menopause.
The onset of menopause:-
As the level of female hormones declines, the regularity of a woman?s monthly cycle is disturbed. This ?change ? over? period may begin 3 ? 5 years before final menstrual period and is called ?peri menopause? During this phase, women may experience a number of symptoms. These symptoms may vary from woman to woman. Some 20% of women have no symptoms at all. For 10% of women the symptoms are mild, while about 20% of women have severe symptoms. Ignorance of the menopause phenomenon may cause anxiety and fear in your mind and may worsen the distress. Hence learn to adapt your self to this natural change.
The symptoms
? As you approach the menopause, your periods may become irregular, you may get a lighter or heavier periods than usual.
? The gap between the periods may start varying than usual, your periods may become more or less frequent, until they stop completely
? Otherwise your messes may continue regularly and suddenly and simply, stop without any signals.
? Please note that if there is any unusual or over bleeding, consult your doctor.
The physical symptoms
Hot flashes: This common symptom affecting 75% of women experiencing menopause. Flashes are unpleasant sensations of heat being released through body resulting in face becoming reddish or appearance of sweat on the face, neck and trunk. You may have palpitations, dizziness and may faint also.
The problem with hot flashes is it may last a few seconds or an hour and its frequency of attack may be a few per month or several per hour. Hot flashes may occur for 1 or 2 years or may linger for more than 5 years. To cope with hot flashes, drink fruit juice or cold water at the onset of flash ? keep the iced water or juice by your bedside at night so that any time you can drink these.
? Use loose, comfortable croton cloths
2) Night sweats
Profuse night sweating may occur, disturbing your sleep. You may have to change cloths or take a shower bath, in the dead of the night. This may cause sleep deprivation not only to you but also to your partner.
3) Vaginal dryness
The vaginal walls, loose their smoothness and elasticity and become thinner and drier. Itching of vagina may be caused and vagina may easily be infected. The absence of lubricating secretions and resultant dryness of vagina can make sexual intercourse difficult and painful. This makes you shun sexual acts.
4) Urinary tract infections
Menopause increases chances of vaginal and urinary tract infections. The embarrassing problem is urinary incontinence. Even a mere cough, exercise, laughing, lifting heavy objects may put pressure on your bladder and cause leakage of small amounts of urine.
5) Other physical symptoms
Head aches, fatigue, muscle aches, gastro ? intestinal problems, tender breasts. Insomnia, weight gain.
Your skin develops wrinkles and hair starts losing its texture. Increase or thickening of facial hair occurs while your hair on the scalp may become thin and scarce.
There may be bone ? loss as osteoporosis may set in.
Emotional Effects
? Coping with the extra burden of physical distress, may make you tired and irritable.
? You may suffer anxiety ? neurosis, forgetfulness, wide mood swings, difficulty in concentration, and unexplained crying.
? Even small problems may cause you stress. You may suffer from depression also.
Other major complications
1) Cardio ? vascular problems
We know there are two types of cholesterol ? the ?good? HDL (High density lipoprotein) and the ?bad? LDL (Low density lipoprotein). These two are kept in proper balance by the hormone Estrogen. But with the onset of menopause, estrogen becomes deficient. This causes imbalances in HDL and LDL levels. This may cause depletion of HDL and lead to cardiac problems which may progressively increase with each passing year of menopause
2) Osteo ? porosis.
Menopause is more responsible for this bone ? weakness ailment than even age. Again lack of estrogen is the cause. Estrogen helps in deposition of calcium in the body. Loss of estrogen causes loss of calcium from the bones. Long term effects are brittle bones and increased chances of bone fractures. The maximum amount of loss occurs in the first 1 or 2 years following menopause. Asian women are more prone to osteoporosis.
3) Alzhemer?s discase
This is a neurological disease, characterized by loss of nerve cells. This results in progressive form of dementia i.e. loss of memory. It can also result in depression.
Allopathic treatment
1. The symptoms of menopause can be alleviated by giving suitable estrogenic hormones either orally, by injections, by implant or transdermally. This is called Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Since menopause is caused by deficiency of estrogen and progesterone hormones, these hormones are effectively replaced by HRT. The benefits of HRT are
? HRT prevents hot splashes and night sweats
? Restoration of hair and skin texture
? Cardio ? vascular protection
? Restoration of vaginal wall thickness and moisture.
Contra ? indications of HRT
? HRT may cause post menopause bleeding. This could be very distressing, occurring after menopause when menstrual bleeding is supposed to stop.
? HRT may cause breast and uterine cancer
? Liver and gall bladder diseases
? It the patient has high blood pressure, family history of genital or breast cancer, better avoid HRT.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda can offer an effective and safer alternative that overcomes the short comings of HRT treatment. It offers a comphrensive, full fledged holistic approach treating both physical and emotional problems caused by menopause.
Brief note on Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an art and science that utilizes the natural reservoirs of herbs and minerals. Ayurveda can not only cure you but also strengthen you by improving your body?s immune system. The concept of Ayurveda is based on the theory that individuals are comprised of three life forces vata, pitta and kapha, in varying combination so that no two persons are alike. Vata is the motivating energy, pitta is the transforming energy and kapha is the stabilizing energy. Disease occurs when there forces loose their balances.
Ayurveda and menopause
Ayurveda considers that menopause is caused by an imbalance between vata and pitta doshas. As you age there is natural wear of body tissues. This coupled with wrong food habits and overstressed life style increases the level of vata and pitta in your body. These gradually manifest as symptoms of menopause.
Healthy diet and life style are prescribed by Ayurveda along with herbs. These herbs contain phytoestrogens that act like estrogens. They mimic the positive actions of estrogen but are free from their side ? effects. Thus Ayurveda treatment is non ? hormonal but phytoestrogenic way of relieving the symptoms and long term problems.
Tips for living with menopause
? Eat a well balanced diet. Include more of bitter and astringent tastes like dark, green leafy vegetables, beans, potatoes, apple etc.
? Increase consumption of calcium rich foods like curds, skimmed milk, other dairy products, beetroot, cabbage and carrot in order to delay osteoporosis.
? Use sunflower or corn oil in cooking. These help to reduce LDL cholesterol level.
? Avoid pungent, sour and salt foods that increase the heat in your body. Such foods are hot spicy food, onions, garlic, mustard, chilies, Tomatoes, citrus and vinegar.
? Yoga, meditation, and exercises help. Regular exercise is beneficial to you in menopause conditions. At least take a morning walk. But always consult your doctor before you commence physical exercises. Yoga and meditation help in controlling stress.
Menopause is an unavoidable, natural phenomenon. A healthy Ayurvedic life style can make this transition in your life occurs in a more comfortable manner.