Traditional Indian Knowledge of Uterine Fibroids

Abstract Owing to altered lifestyles and metabolic syndromes, a variety of gynecological problems, including uterine fibroids, are common in modern days. Uterine fibroids (UFs) are one of the most prominent solid benign tumors of females, affecting the quality of life. Uterine myomas or fibroids are an overgrowth of the myometrium tissue. Hormonal therapy, hysterectomy, myomectomy, and uterine artery embolization are some of the current therapies for uterine fibroids. Patients’ unwillingness to long-term hormonal medication, the anxiety of surgery, and the need for future pregnancy require them to search for an alternative system of medicine. In this review, we looked into the ancient Ayurvedic texts for Ayurvedic descriptions of uterine fibroids, their etiology, pathology, and treatment options. In Traditional Indian Knowledge, i.e., Ayurvedic texts, there is no direct description of uterine fibroids. Ayurvedic texts describe overgrowth or tumors under Apachi, Galgand, Granthi, and Arbuda. Based on the symptoms, Apachi, Galgand, and Granthi are not considered UF. The pathogenesis of shat-kriyakala (six stages of disease development), clinical features, classification, prognosis, and treatment of Arbuda are closely related to UF and considered as Mansaj Garbhashaya-gat yapya Arbuda. This review analyzes literature from Brihattrayi and Laghutrayi, traditional Indian medicine knowledge, and correlates with UF to enhance our comprehension of the clinical findings related to the UF. The findings can open new avenues for the treatment of UFs as described in Ayurveda.