An Ayurvedic Approach to Artava Rogas: Exploring the Significance of Agni in Female Reproductive Health

Menstrual disorders are among the most common women's health conditions worldwide, with a prevalence ranging from 3-87% in different populations. Dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are common presentations. Through Ayurveda's conceptual frame of Artava Rogas, these disorders reveal underlying imbalances related to the dysfunction of Artava (menstrual blood), Agni (digestive/metabolic fire), and Dhatu (tissues). Artava is noted to be an Upadhatu of Rasa Dhatu, dependent on the Jatharagni, the digestive fire of the stomach, and the Rasadhatvagni, the fire that metabolizes Rasa to Upadhatus, including Artava and Agni. The dysfunction of Agni results in Ama, Rasa Dushti, and ultimately Dushti of Artava, leading to different gynecological disorders (Artava Kshaya, Asrukdara, Anartava, and Ashta Artava Dushti). The concept of Agni is not only used to understand rationales for all condition, including Jwara (fevers) as well. In Jwara, and specifically Pittoulbana Sannipataj Jwara, the described disturbances can be seen in the Agni and metabolic processes in Dhatus. Ayurveda focuses on bringing the Agni back into balance, which can be done with Ayurvedic medicine (Agneya Dravya) and detoxificants (Shodhana). The system provides a framework to reinstate the metabolism of Rasadhatu and Artava function via Agni. This integrative understanding of illness reflects the understanding of Agni as the foundation of both reproductive and systemic health, and can aid in subsequently understanding diagnosis and co-therapeutics of menstrual disorders and for non-menstrual syndrome conditions like typhoid fever.