Siddha Medicine for PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).

In Tamil Siddha Medicine PCOS & PCOD -Polycystic ovary syndrome comes under the name of கெர்ப்ப ரோகம் (i.e. diseases which prevents pregnancy).

In Siddha Medicine System, PCOS characterized by multiple ovarian cysts is called as சினைப்பை நீர் கட்டிகள் Sinaippai Neerkattigal, சூலக நீர்க்கட்டிகள் Soolaga Neerkattigal, கர்ப்பப்பை நீர்கட்டிகள் karpa pai neerkatti or karupai neer kattigal.

சூல் மருத்துவம் sool maruthuvam.

It is a branch of Siddha medicine dealing with female reproductive system. As சூலகம் means ovary, the study of it is named as சூல் மருத்துவம்.

So, PCOS comes under the branch sool maruthuvam, where the causes, symptoms, treatments, medications and preventive methods are well discussed in Siddha Medicine System.

What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Siddha?

As name describes poly means many, cystic means water filled sac-like structure i.e. when many cysts are formed in the ovary சூலகம் of a women is called Poly cystic ovary diseases.

PCOS has become a common health problem for urban women, which affects a women’s

• Menstrual cycle.

• Ability to bear children.

• Hormone balance.

• Blood vessels.

• Appearance.

• Mental state.

Also, it is one of the main causes for female infertility. As of now allopathy holds no cure for it.

PCOS is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age, affecting 5-10% of the population. Despite its prevalence, PCOS causes is largely unknown.²

But before thousands of years Siddhars of south India, has been treating and curing the PCOS. The clinical features of pcos are described in the Siddha Medical literature of “YUGI MUNI VAITHIYA KAAVIYAM” AND “THIRUMOOLAR KARUKIDAI VAITHIYAM” ETC.

Also Siddhar Thiruvalluvar also called as Thiruvalluva Nayanaar in his Siddha Medical Treatise “Gnanvettiyaan-1500” has discussed about female reproductive problems like Female infertility, Pcos, Fibroids etc in detail. Below are the lines from the literature describes about PCOS,

சூதகத்தில்  வாய்வதுபோய்ச் சொக்குங் காலைச்

    சுருதியெனும் வன்னிபித்தந் துணையாய்ச் சேரும்

மாதவிடாய் நாகமதும் வஸ்துக் கட்டும்

    மாதாந்தம் கட்டினதால் மாது தேகம்

ஊதுஉடல் சரீரமெல்லாங் கருப்பை துந்து

    உதிரநீர் சூசிகா வாய்வுந்த் தோன்றி

வாதனையால் வயிறுடம்பு பெருத்து ஊதி

    மகத்தான அடிமூலம் வாதஞ் சேர்ந்தே .

                             -ஞானவெட்டியான் -1500

விளக்கம்:

பெண்களுக்கு சூதகத்தில் போய் வாயு தங்குங் காலத்தில் அப்போது அக்கினியான பித்தமும் துணையாய்க் கூடும். மாதவிடாயான நாதமானது கட்டிப்போகும். அப்படி அது கட்டினதால் பெண்ணின் சரீரம் ஊதும். உதிரங் கூட்டி நீர் நோக்கும், அதனால் சூசிகவாயு தோன்றும், அப்போது மூலத்தில் வாயு சேரும்.

Siddha Medicine offers various types of medicines for PCOS from simple herbal preparation to the complex poly-herbal treated herbs and mineral medicines. The medicines are highly effective and safe.

Symptoms of PCOS:

• Menstrual problems which can be highly irregular form heavy to no periods at all.

• Excess Hair growth on face, chest, stomach thumbs, toes. மிகை முடி

• Acne or oily skin.

  

• Symptoms include facial hairs.

• Fertility problems.

• Multiple cysts (மாமிசம்) in the ovaries.

• Psychological factors like

  • Mood swings

  • depression

  • Anxiety etc.

PCOS and Diabetes:

Diabetes is one of the great clinical features of PCOS which was found by Siddhar Thirumoolar as a cause for PCOS.

Siddhar Thirumoolar in his medical work says that, when there is high insulin in blood i.e. diabetes (மேகத்தால்), it will damage the ovaries and enhance the production of more testosterone.

Eventually high testosterone will show the symptoms in face like facial hairs, acne etc.

சூதான மாமிசம் சுழித்திடில் கர்ப்பத்தில்

வாதான மேகத்தால் வழங்கிச் செனிப்பிக்கும்.

–திருமூலர் கருக்கிடை வைத்தியம்¹

^{We have tried to provide the essence of the Siddhars poem by interpreting the meaning of the text in English through research & investigation. We have used the modern terminologies & technical words of the latest science to give the readers a better understanding and assimilation. If found any errors, kindly bear with us & help us rectify.}

Siddha Treatment for PCOS:

 One should be sure of the causative factor, before taking any approach in the treatment procedure. Once the cause is determined, the appropriate medications and therapies are started.

Infertility evaluation begins after recording the complete history of the patients. A complete physical examination of both man and wife is advised. Urine test, nadi pariksha (pulse examination), menstrual fluid test, details about menstrual cycle (which can point out to problems such as PCOS), and severe dysmenorrhoea (suggesting endometriosis or genital infection), pelvic surgeries etc., help the doctors reach at a diagnosis.

According to the individuals’ body constitution, a detoxifying program is adopted to eliminate the accumulated toxins. The aim of this treatment is to transport toxic substances that are clogged in different parts of the body to places where it can be easily expelled via natural body opening. A preliminary detoxifying therapy helps the patients improve their metabolic activity of the liver and get rid of few causative factors.

When kapha dosha impairs, body tends to put on weight and results in obesity, which turns out to be a causative factor for PCOS. Similarly when vata dosha goes out of balance in the yoni (ovary), results in PCOS called as one of yoni vatam. So, the detoxifying therapy is a good pre-treatment procedure for balancing all the doshas, to their appropriate levels.

This therapy also includes special diets and measures that support healthy lifestyle and helps in preventing the accumulation of the abdominal fat, which is one of the reasons for infertility.

Types of Siddha Medicines to treat PCOS:

Both Internal and External Siddha Medicines are employed in treating the poly cystic ovarian disorder (PCOS/PCOD). Strengthening and revitalizing the female reproductive system and regularizing menstrual cycles is the aim of administering single drug or compound drug of poly herbal treated herbo-mineral Siddha medicines.

Siddha medication in the form of herbal powder or churnas (சூரணம்), kashayas herbal decoctions or (கசாயம்), semi solid herb mix or legiyams (லேகியம்), wax consistency medicine or mezhugu (மெழுகு), kuligais (குளிகை), tablets (மாத்திரை) and arishtams(அரிஷ்டம்) of pure herbal or herbo mineral compounds are administered, depending upon the problem of the patient.

Since, pcos is a complex endocrinal disorder, the above mentioned siddha Internal medicines are prescribed to correct LH/FSH ratio and correct menstrual periods. These medications, though non-hormonal, helps in dissolving the cysts in the ovary and in ripening of the follicles, their maturation and release of a good quality egg.

Higher order chendoorams (செந்தூரம்), Rejuvenation Medicines like karpam (கற்பம்) and parpams (பற்பம்) are also administered for effective and long term sustained benefits. External siddha medicines like medicated oils (மூலிகை எண்ணெய்) and fumigations (தூவல்) are also prescribed in some cases.

Last but not the least, attempts to manage the psychological aspects of the entire issue and bring about a total physical and mental change in the patient, is the core of Siddha treatment.

The drugs administered will help in dissolves the cyst and makes one a healthy female. Apart dissolving cysts Siddha medication also brings mental stability and calmness. For effective results patient should continue siddha treatment for pcos to a minimum period of 4 to 6 months.

Tips to prevent PCOS:

Cut down on unhealthy fats.

Fat are not necessarily bad. But a high intake of fat has been linked with an increased risk of PCOS, because it contributes to the development of obesity and overweight. Also it takes a toll on hormonal system.

As PCOS is a hormonal disorder, take care in the consumption of fats. Resorting to healthy fats like omega 3 will be good. Also avoiding red meat and trans fat helps to put hormones in order.²

Exercise regularly 5 days a week.

Regular physical activity in combination with a healthy diet is beneficial at improving fertility and insulin in women with PCOS. Remember too much exercise will give physical stress. Following a mild pattern in exercise keeps one fit and removes excess calories and fat.

Stay away from stress.

What many doctors may not tell about PCOS is stress. It leads to production of stress hormones at high level, which leads to chaos in normal hormonal function. Remember Stress alone can cause anovulatory cycles. Flushing the toxic emotions prevents one from stress.

Increase fiber intake.

Body needs fibre every day. According to daily dietary requirement, women need 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day. But due to fast pace lifestyle current dietary fiber intake is less than 15 grams. To women with PCOS fiber lowers blood glucose and estrogen levels, while for normal women it prevents them from insulin resistance.

Taking plant based foods ensures required fiber for body which animal based foods doesn’t have.

Reduce over weight.

Being overweight can cause PCOS and having PCOS will result in obesity. So in both case working on reducing weight is beneficial. Taking a balanced diet rich in vegetables and non sweet fruits loaded with vitamins keeps one fit. Practicing yoga also reduces body weight especially doing suryanamaskar few reps a day keeps hormonal system in harmony.

Sources:

1. திருமூலர் கருக்கிடை வைத்தியம் Thirumoolar karukidai vaithiyam.

2. Research paper :-

• Primary Report on the Risk Factors Affecting Female Infertility in South Indian Districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala by S Shamila and SL Sasikala.
• Report from NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH on Evidence-based Methodology Workshop on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. December 3–5, 2012

Medical Disclaimer:

All the Tamil explanations and definitions made are based on the Siddha literature. We have used terminologies and definitions from modern medicine in order to help the readers absorb the right essence. Siddha literatures are thousands of years old that were postulated, based on then existed scenarios. The postulates framed then, may or may not be in coherence to today’s world, because as humans have travelled a long path of evolution. Such evaluations have rendered immense changes to humans mentally and physically. So we kindly request readers not to be in the prejudicial mindset while reading the postulates.