Yoga therapy for menstrual disorders

Yoga therapy for menstrual disorders

The female reproductive system operates through a three-tiered system of endocrine regulation,

involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries. All three levels are interconnected by

direct and reverse links. The normal course of menstruation depends on the proper functioning

of the ovaries, and this, in turn, from the normal activity of the pituitary gland. The pituitary

gland under the influence of gonadoliberin produces two major hormones that affect the ovaries

directly - follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Both of these

hormones play an important role in the maturation of the follicle and egg, the production of

estrogen and progesterone by the ovaries, and the maintenance of a regular menstrual cycle.

Women's diseases associated with menstrual irregularity

Quite often, depending on general or local conditions, the menstrual process may be disrupted, may be irregular or excessive, cause malaise and acute pain. This is considered a disorder of the cyclic process of menstruation. The major female conditions associated with menstrual cycle disorder include:

- Amenorrhea - absence (insufficiency) of menses or delayed puberty. This is a rare phenomenon caused by underdevelopment of the pituitary gland, which in turn delays sexual development. Sometimes delayed puberty is caused by both physical and psychological reasons.

- Dysmenorrhea - difficult painful menstruation, which may be caused by anemia, exhaustion or cold, disorder or damage to the genital organs, as well as a number of psychological factors: fear, disharmony, anxiety, neurosis.

- Menorrhagia - abundant and prolonged menstruation, in which the periodicity of cycles is preserved.

- Metrorrhagia - uterine bleeding; similar to menorrhagia, but in this case, bleeding is random and can be before or after menstruation. This leads to a change in the duration of the cycle, to violation of its regularity.

- Hypomenorrhea - reduced bleeding; scanty discharge caused by underdevelopment of the uterus or deficiencies in the formation of the ovaries and endocrine glands.

- Oligomenorrhea - limited bleeding; cycles are prolonged.

- Polymenorrhea - frequent bleeding; cycles are repeated at short intervals.

All of the above symptoms of menstrual disorders are caused by a number of factors, such as improper development of the genitals, hormonal imbalance in the endocrine glands, weakness of the muscles of the reproductive organs or weak constitution. In addition to physiological and organic abnormalities, psychological factors also play a role here.

In the presence of these symptoms, it is recommended to turn to yoga classes. Asanas and pranayama correct the deficiencies and dysfunction of the organs, a complete hormonal balance is established, and the entire endocrine system is stimulated to function effectively. The muscles of organs, such as the uterus, undergo fortification or become stronger. Asanas help to relax and rest properly. They ensure proper flow of menstruation. Moreover, practicing asanas and pranayama reduces mental tension or depression and relieves stress.

Asanas for the treatment and prevention of menstrual disorders

To equalize the work of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian system, it is recommended to perform inverted asanas (Salamba Shirshasana, Salamba Sarvangasana), because it significantly increases blood flow in the cerebral artery basin. Due to increased blood flow intracellular metabolism of neurons increases, renewal of their receptor apparatus intensifies, sensitivity to hormonal influences increases, direct and feedback connections between links of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis are activated.

During inverted asana, venous blood drains from the pelvic area. It is in this area that blood stagnation occurs in women, which affects the development of pelvic varicose veins. This disease is the cause of chronic pelvic pain and aggravates inflammation and dysfunction of the uterus and ovaries. Regular performance of inverted asanas significantly unloads the pelvic venous channel. Combinations of inverted postures with twisting elements (Parshva Sarvangasana, Parshva Halasana) are especially effective. Inverted asanas also have a stimulating effect on the liver, increasing hepatic blood flow. The liver is a major part of the transformation and metabolism of steroidal sex hormones, so Halasana should be included to normalize the hormonal background.

In the case of dysfunction of the genitals, it is very useful to perform asanas that intensely affect the perineum and hip joints. These include Baddha Konasana, Supta Baddha Konasana, Padmasana, Gomukhasana, Ardha Chandrasana, Uttthita Trikonasana, Virabhadrasana I, Prasarita Padottanasana).

One of the causes of menstrual irregularities is constant emotional overstrain and chronic stress. The hypothalamus is a structure susceptible not only to signals "from below", from the pituitary gland and ovaries, but also to influences "from above" - from the cerebral cortex, psyche, emotions, processes of higher nervous activity. Foci of "negative" excitation of the cortex, interfering in the work of subcortical structures, disrupt, disorganize their work and smooth interaction.

Shavasana practice contributes to normalization of psycho-emotional background, elimination of stagnant pathological foci and excessive influences on the well-coordinated work of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian system.