Abstract: This case study highlights the use of Trailokya Vijaya Vati in the treatment or prophylaxis of Premenopausal syndrome.
Pre-menopausal syndrome as the name suggests is the condition that females experience just before menopause. The commonest signs are hot sweats, body ache, mood swings, and Fatigue.
This is a case of a 45 yr old female with complaints of severe body ache, fatigue, and extreme mood swings. She had several appointments made with the nearest OB-GYNs but was unconvinced with the counseling and the treatment options offered. She finally read about Ayurveda blogs on how it would help her overcome her issues and came up with a decision to consult Ayurvedacharya for her condition.
Ayurveda Perspective
According to Ayurveda, menopause is termed RAJANIVRUTTI.
The term Rajonivritti is made up of two words Raj means Aartava (menstruation) and nivritti means ending so it is a permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity. It is confirmed by amenorrhea of consecutive 12 months.
Before menopause, women may have irregular menses, hot flashes, anxiety, palpitation, and a decreased libido (sexual desire), etc. due to fall in estrogen and progesterone hormones in the body. This period is called as peri-menopausal period. Vata, pitta is dominant while Kapha dosha decreases during rajonivritti resulting in dhatu kshaya (loss of tissues) and other symptoms. Menopause is not a disease, it is a physiological phenomenon in a woman’s life due to aging. Vata pitta shamak dravya helps cope with perimenopausal symptoms.
Diet and lifestyle changes such as including shatpushpa (soya), mishreya (saunf), etc. in diet which is the source of phytoestrogens, and also practicing Yoga are beneficial in managing these symptoms.
Introduction
Menopause marks the end of the female reproductive cycle. During this phase, a woman not only goes through physical changes but there are an array of mental changes too that occur in the individual which is often very challenging to manage.
Menopause is certainly a journey in a women’s life that has no definitive start or endpoint and every individual has a different story to experience and tell. It is certainly a challenge for every doctor to treat patients with this condition. The line of treatment varies from woman to woman.
Currently, modern medicine offers very limited therapy which includes hormone therapy, vaginal estrogen therapy, and anti-depressant therapy for the treatment of pre-menopausal syndromes along with symptomatic treatment. Patients often hesitate to go for such complex treatments mainly due to its side effects and body dependency towards the treatment.
Case Report
Patient description
This is a case of a 45 yr old female with complaints of irregular periods, severe body ache and fatigue, and mood swings. She was also experiencing horrendous night sweats for a couple of weeks. She was much more tired than usual and would experience ‘brain fog’ – she found it extremely difficult to focus/concentrate on even the simplest of tasks. She was dull all day long and slower than usual. It seemed that the days were getting longer and longer as she could not cope up with energy levels throughout the day to get going. She slept early and missed spending time whit her family. And when she did take out the time she was very short-tempered with her family over the preceding few months. She would be angry for a minute and cry the next. She was confused over her condition until she shared it with her daughter who then asked her to meet a doctor as soon as possible.
Case history
She had been popping antidepressants for more than a month which were prescribed to her for the condition. They would help her a little with the mood swings but the rest of her symptoms were left untreated. She continued to have night sweats and severe body aches. She suffered for almost a year and newly developed insomnia perhaps due to overthinking about her situation which was worsening day by day.
Treatment plan
Medicines to be used – Trailokya Vijaya Vati
She was prescribed Trailokya Vijaya Vati 1 BD along with Avipattikar and Suvarnasutshekhar for her VATA and PITTA dushti. She was suggested Dietary modifications.
The expected outcome of the treatment plan
It was expected that within 30 days of the aforementioned treatment, she would manage her current symptoms.
Actual outcome
After 10 days of treatment, the patient reported getting a good sound sleep and fewer mood swings. The body ache was history now. The dose was then tapered to 1 OD.
Discussion
The treatment was decided based on the predominance of VATA + PITTA DOSHA.
The Vijaya is VATASHAMANA herb and It helps in reducing the pain gradually. Also, Vijaya has the property of HARSHA NIRMITI which helped the patient with her mood swings and fatigue.
Conclusion
This case study proves that Trailokya Vijaya Vati helps in the management of symptoms in pre-menopausal syndrome.
While some trials and studies promote the use of medical cannabis in the treatment of pre-menopausal syndrome, more studies need to be encouraged to collect strong scientific evidence supporting the same.
Case study by Dr. Pooja Kohli, Consultant Ayurvedacharya, New Delhi
Published by Hempstreet
