Guda Varti (Suppository) in the Management of Kashtartava wsr to Dysmenorrhea-A Single Case Study

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea or pain during menstruation is the most common cause to seek gynecologic care, occurring in 50–90% of the female population and it is underdiagnosed and undertreated. Self-medication with analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and direct application of heat are common strategies, although there is less evidence for their efficacy. The pain of primary dysmenorrhea is caused by excessive prostaglandin (PG) production within secretory endometrial cells. This PG release, in turn, causes uterine contractions, uterine muscle ischemia, and increased peripheral nerve sensitivity. Kashtartava is mainly due to vitiation of Apanavata either by obstruction in the passage or due to Dhatukshaya (decrease in Dhatu). Acharya Charaka explains that the reverse flow of vitiated Vata affects the blood flow during menstruation resulting in the painful menses. Many patients may prefer to use more “natural” methods for treating dysmenorrhea and the literature supports use of several dietary, herbal, and alternative effective medicine methods. On the other hand patients, who are associated with nausea, vomiting, flatulence etc., face to difficulty in oral administration of drugs. Introducing an option for those women, the application of quick pain-relieving and long-lasting effect, Guda Varti has chosen to study under this case study. A 24 year old unmarried female patient consulted with chief complaint of pain during the menstruation since menarche. Surprisingly, after 15 minutes of inserting Hingwadi Guda Varti on the first day of the cycle, showed major pain reduction and there was no pain during the whole cycle. Therefore the end of the study can conclude as Hingwadi Guda Varti is strongly effective in the management of pain during menstruation and needs therapeutic validation and further research.