Artava - A Potent Dignostic Tool In Gynaecology

Abstract

Artava (Menstrual blood) is one of the Upadhatus (secondary tissue) of rasa dhatu (body tissue); which is used  to define the menstrual blood or female sex hormones or ovum at different contexts. However, most commonly  the term Artava (Menstrual flow) refers the menstrual blood. The color, texture, smell of menstrual blood  picturises hormonal status of women. In classic texts, the variation in color, texture, smell of menstrual blood  (Artava) and other associated factors are described in detail under the topic of Artava Dushti (menstrual  disorder). The endometrium undergoes the great changes during endocrine cycle; thus, the menstrual blood may  vary in color and texture which depends upon the factors such as health conditions, hormonal changes and  pathological factors. Hence, Artava (visible menstrual blood) is an easy source and important diagnostic tool to  make an approach towards diseases. Uterus disorders ranging from benign to malignant tumours as well as  endometriosis can cause abnormal menstrual bleeding and are frequently diagnosed through endometrial  biopsy. Yet the proteome of menstrual blood is an easily available non-invasive source of endometrial tissue.  Classical texts explain types of menstrual disorders hearing Artava Dushti (menstrual disorder). They also  describe in details color, texture, specific smell, amount and other associated features like type of pain in details  in Vata, Pitta and Kapha Dushti. So, only by observing menstrual blood variation we can find out disease  associated with it. Thus, study of Artava (menstrual blood) and Artavadusti (menstrual disorder). according to  Ayurveda may be a major diagnostic tool for diagnosis of underlying gynaecological pathology in current  gynecology scenario.