Concept of Artava and its applied aspect in Stree Roga

Abstract

Women represent the cornerstone of a family’s overall health. Healthy women, Healthy world embodies that women are custodians of family health; they play a critical role in maintaining the health and overall wellbeing of community. In Ayurveda word “Artava” denotes menstrual blood.  Artava is related to 2 seasons i.e., it may be due to presence of Ritukala (ovulation period) and Rajakal (menstruation period) in women. Human body is controlled by the three energies called Tridoshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha which are characterized under seven Dhatus. These Dhatus have Updhatus also. Artava (menstrual blood) is one of the Updhatus of Rasa Dhatu.^[1] The specific characteristics of menstrual blood with its physiological and pathological variation described in Ayurveda classics as Shudhartava and Artavdhusti respectively help in identifying the hormonal status of women. Shudhartava plays crucial role in maintaining women’s healthy reproductive life. When Artava is not quite same as highlights of Shudhartava mentioned in classics then there may be Artavdushti or menstrual abnormalities like dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia, amenorrhoea etc uterine disorders like endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroid, etc which may be cause of infertility. Ayurveda classics explains about colour, texture, specific smell, amount and other associated features like type of pain in various Artavdushti. So, only by observing menstrual blood variation we can find out the disease associated with it. Thus, study of Artava and Artavdhusti plays a very significant role in diagnosis of pathological disorders related with female reproductive system.