270818 Effect of Panchakarma (ayurveda detoxification therapy) in Secondary Amenorrhea due to PCOS – A case report

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 3:10 PM - 3:30 PM

Manjusha Vinjamury, MD(Ayurveda), MAOM , School of Professional Studies, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, CA
Sivarama Prasad Vinjamury, MD (Ayurveda) , College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, CA
Background: Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a commonly found female hormonal disorder. Prevalence rates indicate that 5-10% of women in child-bearing age with 30% of these show symptoms that include secondary amenorrhea and excess facial hair growth.

Objective: To report the successful outcomes in a patient with secondary amenorrhea, who underwent comprehensive ayurvedic treatment.

Case History: A 28 year old female diagnosed with PCOS presented with Secondary amenorrhea > 1 yr, excessive growth of facial and body hairs, thinning of hair on scalp > 3-4 yrs and weight gain about 30 pounds. Amenorrhea responded only to hormonal treatment.Patient preferred only natural treatment methods, but did not respond to acupuncture and herbal medicines and ayurvedic treatment that did not include panchakarma.

Intervention: Panchakarma (Ayurvedic detoxification therapy) included oral consumption of herbal ghee(snehana) for seven days. Concurrently,external oil massage and Dasamoola steam bath (swedana) was performed on the last three days of Snehana. On the eighth day, gentle purgation was given to cleanse the body and eliminate toxins. A specialized diet and lifestyle regimen was advised along with herbal formulas that are indicated for regularizing periods.

Results: Patient reported getting her periods on the 8th day after detoxification therapies with normal flow and no PMS. Since then, she had four consecutive cycles with 35 days interval.

Conclusion: Ayurvedic treatment combined with panchakarma therapies may be helpful in treating secondary amenorrhea due to PCOS.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention

Learning Objectives:
Define Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Describe the prevalence rates of PCOS List the causes, symptoms and conventional treatment options Describe the outcomes of a patient with secondary amenorrhea when treated with ayurvedic detoxification therapies

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Herbal Medicine

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I provided the care to this patient and I collected all the patient's information
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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