CERVICITIS – CAUSES, SYMPTOMS & TREATMENT WITH AYURVEDIC MEDICATIONS
ABSTRACT
Cervicitis is inflammation of the cervix (end of the uterus). Patients may feel irritability, pain, difficulty in intercourse and vaginal discharge. This condition is very common these days. Often STI (sexually transmitted diseases) causes cervicitis but it is not necessary every time STI will cause cervicitis. Mainly patients experience irritation, purulent discharge, pelvic pain, bleeding in between periods or urinary problems.
INTRODUCTION
Cervicitis is a clinical syndrome characterized by inflammation of the cervix (columnar epithelium). Cervix is a muscular tunnel-like organ that is the lower part of the uterus and acts as a connection to the uterus and vagina. Cervix plays an important role in allowing fluids to pass between the uterus and vagina. But in case of cervicitis this cervix gets inflamed and infected by bacteria called ‘Staphylococcus or Streptococcus’ causing irritation and discomfort along with pain and vaginal discharge. People who have multiple sexual partners are more prone to this condition. In Ayurveda we correlate cervicitis with “GHARBHASHAYAGRIVA SHOTHA”. In this condition of Garbhashayagriva shotha there is vitiation of pitta and vata which in turn vitiates RAKTA (blood) and MAMSA (muscle) dhatu. Ayurvedic treatments have shown very good results in this condition.
CAUSES
Infection is the main reason behind this condition. Whenever a bacteria is introduced in the uterus there will be an infection which will lead to cervicitis. Common causes of cervicitis are as follows-
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Genital herpes (HSV-1)
- Trichomoniasis
- Chemical irritants (jellies, condoms, spermicides )
- Reactions to diaphragms, cervical caps, tampons.
- Unhygienic conditions
- Excess use of chemical genital washes
- Injury
- Allergic response
SYMPTOMS
- Vaginal discharge(yellow, white, Gray)
- Lower abdominal pain
- Pain during intercourse
- Bleeding after intercourse
- Bleeding in between periods
- Vulvar or vaginal irritation
IS CERVICITIS CONTAGIOUS?
Yes, Cervicitis is transmitted via sex hence necessary precautions must be taken.
AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW
In Ayurveda Cervix is called “garbhashay griva”. This word garbhashay griva is made up of two words garbhashaya that means uterus and griva means neck. So the inflammation of gabhashayagriva is cervicitis. Pitta and vatta (kinetic and thermal energy) are the main 2 doshas which are mainly impacted in this condition. Vatta imbalance causes pain, fever, tremors, spasms, dryness, inflammation etc. Whereas vitiation of pitta causes burning sensation, discharge, irritability, bad odour, redness etc. Also kapha dosha(potential energy) will be mildly involved in this condition causing white discharge, thick white coated tongue, mucus etc. hence the imbalance vatta and pitta along with kapha causes cervicitis. These three doshas when imbalanced will in turn vitiate mamsa (muscle) and rakta (blood) resulting in irritation and inflammation of the cervix causing garbhashyagriva shotha i.e cervicitis.
Symptoms like
- Yonisrava – vaginal discharge
- Kukshishool – pain abdomen
- Ksheenta – weakness
- Atyartava – heavy bleeding in periods
INVESTIGATIONS
- Pelvic examination
- PAP smear
- Wet mouth examination
- Nucleic acid amplification testing(NAAC)
- Rapid tests(OSOM Trichomonas, AFFIRM VPIII)
- Cervical cytology
- HSV serology
- HEP B and HEP C serology
AYURVEDIC MEDICATIONS USED IN CERVICITIS
- Madhusnuhi rasayan
- Ashokarishta
- Pushyanug churna
- Triphala guggul
- Triphala churna
- Yoni prakshalana (vaginal wash) with aragwadhadi kashayam, panchavalkala kashaya.
- Treatment for rakta and mamsa vitiation
- Drinking adequate fluids
- Maintain hygiene
- Proper rest
- Avoid unhygienic conditions and imbalanced diet
HERBAL REMEDIES FOR CERVICITIS BY PLANET AYURVEDA
Planet Ayurveda is a manufacturer of Ayurvedic medicines derived entirely from plants. This medicine does not contain chemicals, additives or preservatives. All products are GMP certified and 100% vegetarian.Theer are so many products for cervicitis offered by Planet Ayurveda but out of which we will provides some of them as follows:-
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:-
1. Kaishore Guggul
This herbal formulation helps in reducing the inflammation and discharge in cervicitis. Acts as a natural blood cleanser and fights infection in cervicitis, promotes skin health and is good for joint health. It also flushes out the toxins from the body and improves digestion. Contains haritaki (Terminalia chebula), bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), amalaki (Embillica officinalis), guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), guggul (Comiphora mukul) etc.
Dosage- 1-2 tablets twice a day
2. Female Health Support
This is a pure herbal formulation helpful in gynecological conditions (excess discharge, excess menstruation, painful menstruation). Contains ashoka (Saraca asoca), lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), shatavari (Asparagus racemosus). Saraca asoca Pacifies vatta (kinetic energy) which in turn reduces pain, abdominal cramps in cervicitis. Shatavari strengthens the reproductive system and is also useful in reducing mental stress and anxiety. Lodhra with its pitta balancing properties helps in managing pain, bleeding and inflammation in cervicitis.
Dosage – 1 capsule twice a day
3. Boswellia Curcumin
It is the most effective herbal formulation of Planet Ayurveda. It has similar efficacy to corticosteroids. Contains shallaki (Boswellia serrata), haridra (Curcuma longa). Boswellia balances the doshas and reduces the inflammation in cervicitis and also helps in managing pain. Curcumin balances all 3 doshas hence subsiding the symptoms (pain, itching, inflammation etc) in cervicitis. This herbal formulation has a carminative effect on the body.
Dosage – 1 capsule twice a day
4. Femoplan Syrup
It is a polyherbal formulation of Planet Ayurveda which pacifies vatta dosha (kinetic energy). Contains- bilva (Aegle marmelos), agnimantha (Premna mucronata), shyonak (Oroxylum indicum), prishniparni (Uraria picta) etc. Contents of these products are basically from dashmoola gana (group of 10 herbs) which solely work on the vatta doshas and reduce symptoms like pain, heavy menstruation flow etc. in cervicitis. Dashmoola is helpful in inhibiting the growth of bacteria and reduces soreness in cervicitis.
Dosage – 2 teaspoon twice a day
5. Lucoplan Syrup
This herbal formulation stops bleeding & manages infection in cervicitis. Contains-Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), udumbar (Ficus glomerata), daruharidra (Berberis aristata), neem (Azadirachta indica) etc. lodhra being a very good coagulative agent helps in stoppage of bleeding. Neem pacifies pitta dosha relieving symptoms like burning sensation and excess discharge and also acts as antibacterial. Udumbar works on white discharge issues in cervicitis as it has very good results in leucorrhoea.
Dosage-2 teaspoon twice a day.
CONCLUSION
Cervicitis is a sexually transmitted disease that causes inflammation of the cervix. In Ayurveda it can be correlated to agantuj vyadhi (communicable diseases). Herbs like ashoka, lodhra, Arjuna, guggul, shallaki, amalaki, haridra etc. have good results in cervicitis. These herbs are good in relieveing pain, inflammation, discharge etc. herbal products of PLANET AYURVEDA like Female health support, lucoplan, femoplan, boswellia curcumin have very good results in cervicitis giving strength and immunity to the body against infections. Along with this, the contents of these herbal products helps in maintaining the balance of tridosha. In cervicitis, contents of these herbal products help manage the vata and pitta hence managing this condition efficiently.
