At L’essencce – Centre for Ayurvedic Medicine in Nyon, your assessment considers the nature of your pain, menstrual cycle, digestion, bowel movements, sleep, stress and individual constitution to determine an appropriate and personalised approach.
Vaidya Yogeet Kapoor · Ayurvedacharya · Federally Qualified Naturopath in Ayurvedic Medicine · ASCA · RME
Primary dysmenorrhoea occurs without an identified pelvic disease. During menstruation, increased prostaglandin activity promotes uterine contractions and can contribute to cramping, pelvic pain and digestive symptoms.
Secondary dysmenorrhoea is associated with an underlying condition such as endometriosis, adenomyosis or certain uterine fibroids. New, severe or progressively worsening menstrual pain, particularly when it also occurs outside menstruation, should therefore be medically assessed.
Pain typically begins shortly before or at the start of menstruation and is usually felt in the lower abdomen, sometimes radiating to the lower back or thighs.
It may be accompanied by nausea, diarrhoea, bloating, fatigue, headaches, dizziness or weakness. Period pain that regularly prevents you from working, studying, sleeping or carrying out normal daily activities should not simply be dismissed as “normal”.
In Ayurvedic clinical reasoning, menstrual pain is particularly considered in relation to Apana Vata, the downward-moving function of Vata (the Ayurvedic principle of movement) associated with pelvic and menstrual functions.
However, painful periods do not all present in the same way. Spasmodic pain with coldness and constipation, burning or heat, pelvic heaviness, or pain associated with heavy menstrual bleeding may suggest different Ayurvedic patterns. Pitta (transformation and heat), Kapha (structure and stability), Agni (digestive and metabolic capacity) and, where relevant, Ama (a traditional Ayurvedic concept referring to incompletely processed metabolic material) may also be considered.
Painful periods can manifest in different ways. The timing of the pain, the heaviness of the flow and associated symptoms can help determine whether a gynaecological assessment is necessary.
| Your situation | What to consider |
|---|---|
|
Cramps mainly at the beginning of your period
|
Possible primary dysmenorrhea |
|
Pain that has developed recently
|
A secondary cause may need to be investigated |
|
Pain with very heavy periods
|
Fibroids, adenomyosis or another cause may need to be evaluated |
|
Pain before and during your period
|
Your menstrual cycle and possible gynaecological causes should be considered |
|
Pain during sexual intercourse
|
Gynaecological evaluation is recommended |
|
Pain with difficulty conceiving
|
Gynaecological and fertility assessment may be appropriate |
|
Bloating + constipation + cramps
|
The relationship between the menstrual cycle, digestion and bowel function should be assessed |
Depending on your constitution, the type of pain, associated symptoms and the characteristics of your cycle, different imbalances may be involved.
These profiles illustrate the traditional Ayurvedic approach and are not intended for self-diagnosis. Each situation is unique and requires a personalised assessment by a qualified practitioner.
The consultation explores when the pain begins, its location, intensity and characteristics — spasmodic, burning, heavy, dull or radiating. Its relationship with menstrual flow and the factors that aggravate or relieve it are also considered.
Bowel movements, bloating, digestion, sleep, stress, cycle regularity and gynaecological history help place the pain within its individual context.
The assessment considers Prakriti (individual constitution), Vikriti (current imbalance), Apāna Vāta, the Doshas, Agni, the menstrual cycle, digestion and general health.
The aim is not to apply the same approach to every case of painful periods, but to identify the predominant factors for each patient and personalise the care plan accordingly.
Recommendations are adapted to your digestion, bowel function and individual symptoms.
Particular attention may be given to regular meals, well-tolerated foods, hydration, and habits that may aggravate bloating, constipation or digestive discomfort around menstruation.
Sleep, appropriate physical activity, daily routine and stress management are also taken into consideration.
Depending on the assessment, care may combine individualised Ayurvedic herbal support with selected body therapies.
Abhyanga · local applications · Svedana / Nāḍī Svedana · Pinda Sweda and other therapies may be considered according to the individual constitution, symptoms and indication.
Basti, an important Ayurvedic therapeutic procedure involving the rectal administration of specific preparations, may be considered in certain situations where Vāta and Apāna Vāta play an important role. However, it is not a routine treatment for dysmenorrhea.
For some patients, a Pañcakarma programme may be considered after evaluating Prakriti, Vikriti, Agni, the Doshas, general strength, menstrual cycle, medical history and possible contraindications.
Depending on the individual indication, certain specialised procedures of Ayurvedic medicine may also be considered.
Raktamokshana is one of the traditional procedures described in Ayurveda. When considered, its indication must be assessed individually; it is not a routine approach to painful periods.
Progress is reassessed over subsequent cycles, including the intensity and duration of pain, menstrual flow, digestion, bowel movements, bloating, energy, sleep and associated symptoms.
Recommendations can then be adjusted according to your response and the evolution of your condition.
When appropriate, complementary approaches available at L’essencce, including Bioenergy, may be offered separately. They do not replace gynaecological assessment or treatment when these are necessary.
Not all of these approaches are necessary or appropriate for every patient. Their selection depends on the individual assessment, symptoms, Ayurvedic constitution, medical history, current treatments and possible contraindications.
A dedicated time for listening and in-depth assessment to understand your situation and build a personalised Ayurvedic care plan.
“A holistic care plan for more serene cycles and long-lasting well-being.”
Integrative care for a more complete and personalised approach to women’s health.
Vaidya (Ayurvedic Physician, India) & Swiss Federally Qualified Naturopath in Ayurvedic Medicine
Yogeet Kapoor is a Vaidya (Ayurvedic physician, India) and a Swiss federally qualified naturopath specialising in Ayurvedic medicine.
At L’essencce in Nyon, he offers individualised Ayurvedic support for menstrual disorders based on the menstrual cycle, constitution, digestion, lifestyle and each patient’s symptom pattern.
L’essencce – Centre for Ayurvedic Medicine, Naturopathy and Complementary Therapies is located in Nyon, on La Côte. Consultations and treatments take place at the centre in Nyon.
The clinic is also accessible to patients travelling from Gland, Rolle, Morges, Coppet and Versoix, as well as from the wider Geneva–Lausanne and Lake Geneva region and French-speaking Switzerland.
Ayurvedic care is complementary and does not replace gynaecological diagnosis, necessary investigations or prescribed treatment, particularly when endometriosis, adenomyosis or another secondary cause of menstrual pain is suspected.
Dysmenorrhoea is the medical term for painful periods. It commonly causes cramping in the lower abdomen and may also be associated with lower-back pain, nausea, fatigue, headaches or digestive symptoms.
Prostaglandins stimulate uterine contractions during menstruation. When their activity is higher, cramping and pain may be more intense; certain gynaecological conditions can also cause or worsen dysmenorrhoea.
Primary dysmenorrhoea occurs without an identified pelvic disorder. Secondary dysmenorrhoea is caused by an underlying condition such as endometriosis, adenomyosis or certain uterine fibroids.
Ayurveda gives particular attention to Apana Vata, the downward-moving function of Vata. Pain quality, menstrual flow, digestion, bowel function and signs of cold, heat or heaviness help individualise the Ayurvedic assessment.
Depending on the assessment, care may include nutrition, lifestyle guidance, Ayurvedic herbal medicine, Abhyanga, local therapies, Svedana, Pinda Sweda or Basti. Treatment selection depends on the pain pattern, individual terrain and underlying medical cause.
Basti is traditionally important in Ayurvedic management of Vata-related patterns, but its use for dysmenorrhoea requires an individual assessment and is never routine.
No. Panchakarma is not automatically indicated for dysmenorrhoea. Most patients first require assessment of the menstrual cycle, digestion, constitution, underlying gynaecological diagnosis and general health.
Medical evaluation is particularly important when pain starts suddenly, progressively worsens, occurs outside menstruation or is associated with abnormal bleeding, pain during intercourse or difficulty conceiving.
A first consultation allows us to assess your cycle, the type of pain, your digestion, your constitution and your history in order to determine the Ayurvedic care plan best suited to your situation.