Management of Udavartini Yoni Vyapad (dysmenorrhea) with Shoola Prashamana Dashemani Churna: An open-label clinical study

Introduction: Udavartini Yoni Vyapad (painful menstruation with difficulty), one among the twenty types of Yonivyapada (gynecological disorders), is a disease complex with a clinical presentation similar to dysmenorrhea. It is commonly reported menstrual disorder which affects the working ability and quality of life of women. Available treatment modalities for the management of dysmenorrhea include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral contraceptive agents, and progestins with limited success and have multiple deleterious effects on the general and reproductive health of a female, in particular. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Shoola Prashamana Dashemani (SPD) Churna (group of ten pain-relieving herbs) in the management of dysmenorrhea. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 15 diagnosed females with dysmenorrhea with pain score (visual analog scale [VAS] ≥5) for 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. Patients received 5 g of SPD Churna of Charaka Samhita , twice a day with cow’s ghee, for two menstrual cycles, i.e., 60 days. The observations and results were assessed by VAS scores, WaLIDD scores, and level of functioning score with pain and a specially designed proforma based on the frequency and severity of the symptoms associated with dysmenorrhea. The conclusion was drawn after analyzing nonparametric data statistically using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: SPD Churna with cow’s ghee showed 88% relief in pain (VAS scores) and 70% relief in the duration of pain, respectively. Statistical analysis showed highly significant results on other symptoms of dysmenorrhea, working disability score, drug score, and level of functioning with chronic pain associated with dysmenorrhea with P < 0.001. Conclusion: SPD Churna significantly reduces the pain during menstrual and perimenstrual periods and can be used as a potential anti-spasmodic in the management of pain-predominant gynecological disorders including dysmenorrhea.