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The term ‘artava’ has many meanings like ovum, menstruation and menstrual fluid or blood. It refers to normal physiological process of periodic per vaginal uterine bleeding, symbolizing the forthcoming fertile period. The term is also used to denote ‘ovum’ and functions of female reproductive hormones. [SAT-B.453] <ref>Available from http://namstp.ayush.gov.in/#/sat</ref>

The term ‘artava’ has many meanings like ovum, menstruation and menstrual fluid or blood. It refers to normal physiological process of periodic per vaginal uterine bleeding, symbolizing the forthcoming fertile period. The term is also used to denote ‘ovum’ and functions of female reproductive hormones. [SAT-B.453] <ref>Available from http://namstp.ayush.gov.in/#/sat</ref>

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== Etymology, derivation and synonyms==

== Etymology, derivation and synonyms==

 

The term ‘‘artava’ literally means pertaining to/ dependent on/ accompanying the seasons or some particular period (ritu).<ref>http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?tran_input=Artava&direct=se&script=hk&link=yes&mode=3</ref>  The synonyms like artava, shonita, asrik, raja, rakta, lohita, rudhira, pushpa are used to denote menstruation and ovum. The references of each term denoting either menstrual blood or ovum are given in appendix 1.

The term ‘‘artava’ literally means pertaining to/ dependent on/ accompanying the seasons or some particular period (ritu).<ref>http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?tran_input=Artava&direct=se&script=hk&link=yes&mode=3</ref>  The synonyms like artava, shonita, asrik, raja, rakta, lohita, rudhira, pushpa are used to denote menstruation and ovum. The references of each term denoting either menstrual blood or ovum are given in appendix 1.

 

== Contextual meanings and importance==

== Contextual meanings and importance==

 

Following are the different contextual meanings indicating its physiological importance.

Following are the different contextual meanings indicating its physiological importance.

   

   

*The word Pushpa is analogous to blossoming of a flower seen in female reproductive organs during fertile period.   

*The word Pushpa is analogous to blossoming of a flower seen in female reproductive organs during fertile period.   

 

==Panchabhautika constitution and properties: ==

==Panchabhautika constitution and properties: ==

 

Artava is ‘agneya’ which implies the predominance of teja mahabhuta.[Su.Sa Sutra Sthana 14/7] Other [[mahabhuta]] are present in minute form.[Su Sa. Sutra Sthana 3/3]

Artava is ‘agneya’ which implies the predominance of teja mahabhuta.[Su.Sa Sutra Sthana 14/7] Other [[mahabhuta]] are present in minute form.[Su Sa. Sutra Sthana 3/3]

The characters of ‘artava’ (ovum) are, it is less in quantity(alpa), in coagulated state(styanibhuta), is minute(sukshma) and is immobile (asanchari). [Su.Sa Sharira Sthana 2/36,Dalhana]  

The characters of ‘artava’ (ovum) are, it is less in quantity(alpa), in coagulated state(styanibhuta), is minute(sukshma) and is immobile (asanchari). [Su.Sa Sharira Sthana 2/36,Dalhana]  

 

==Formation ==

==Formation ==

 

Artava is a subordinate constituent (upadhatu) formed during metabolism of [[rasa dhatu]] [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/17] and [[rakta dhatu]]. [Sharangadhara Sa. Purva khanda 5/16-17].  

Artava is a subordinate constituent (upadhatu) formed during metabolism of [[rasa dhatu]] [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/17] and [[rakta dhatu]]. [Sharangadhara Sa. Purva khanda 5/16-17].  

One anjali is equal to the quantity that can be filled in a space formed from joining one’s palms together. This measurement is person specific.  As per current understanding, the average volume of menstrual fluid during a monthly menstrual period is 35 ml with 10–80 ml considered typical.<ref>Carlson KJ, Eisenstat SA, Ziporyn TD (2004). The new Harvard guide to women's health. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-01343-3 available from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstruation#cite_note-isbn_0674013433-11 accessed on 12/01/2021 </ref>   

One anjali is equal to the quantity that can be filled in a space formed from joining one’s palms together. This measurement is person specific.  As per current understanding, the average volume of menstrual fluid during a monthly menstrual period is 35 ml with 10–80 ml considered typical.<ref>Carlson KJ, Eisenstat SA, Ziporyn TD (2004). The new Harvard guide to women's health. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-01343-3 available from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstruation#cite_note-isbn_0674013433-11 accessed on 12/01/2021 </ref>   

 

==Female reproductive system (artava vaha srotas)==

==Female reproductive system (artava vaha srotas)==

 

The channels of transformation and transportation of female reproductive constituents (artavavaha srotas) and menstrual blood originate from uterus(garbhashaya) and its vessels (artavavahi dhamani). Its injury leads to sterility, intolerance of copulation and loss of menstrual flow (amenorrhoea). [Su Sa Sharira Sthana  9/12]

The channels of transformation and transportation of female reproductive constituents (artavavaha srotas) and menstrual blood originate from uterus(garbhashaya) and its vessels (artavavahi dhamani). Its injury leads to sterility, intolerance of copulation and loss of menstrual flow (amenorrhoea). [Su Sa Sharira Sthana  9/12]

 

===Functions:===

===Functions:===

Artava is essential for the formation of embryo(garbha) and overall female reproductive health.

Artava is essential for the formation of embryo(garbha) and overall female reproductive health.

Menstrual fluid is reddish-brown, a slightly darker color than venous blood.  Various shades of red colored menstrual fluid are described with the similes of fruit of abrus precatorius (gunja fruit), red lotus flower(pinkish red), indragopaka insect(dark red) [Cha Sa [[Chikitsa Sthana]] 30/226] colour of rabbit blood or solution of lac. The blood does not stain cloth is considered as normal. [Su Sa Sharira  Sthana  2/17] It has typical odour [A. Hr. sharira sthana 1/22-23] or honey odour (madhugandha) [Ma. Ni. 61/7]  

Menstrual fluid is reddish-brown, a slightly darker color than venous blood.  Various shades of red colored menstrual fluid are described with the similes of fruit of abrus precatorius (gunja fruit), red lotus flower(pinkish red), indragopaka insect(dark red) [Cha Sa [[Chikitsa Sthana]] 30/226] colour of rabbit blood or solution of lac. The blood does not stain cloth is considered as normal. [Su Sa Sharira  Sthana  2/17] It has typical odour [A. Hr. sharira sthana 1/22-23] or honey odour (madhugandha) [Ma. Ni. 61/7]  

 

==Physiology of menstruation:==

==Physiology of menstruation:==

 

The normal menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days with an average of twenty-eight days. The fluid is consistent without any stickiness (sliminess), without causing burning sensation and pain, is moderate in quantity, lasting for average three to five days. [Cha. Sa. [[Chikitsa Sthana]] 30/225]  

The normal menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days with an average of twenty-eight days. The fluid is consistent without any stickiness (sliminess), without causing burning sensation and pain, is moderate in quantity, lasting for average three to five days. [Cha. Sa. [[Chikitsa Sthana]] 30/225]  

* *Follicle Stimulating Hormone **Luteinizing Hormone

* *Follicle Stimulating Hormone **Luteinizing Hormone

 

==Importance in preservation of health and prevention ==

==Importance in preservation of health and prevention ==

 

Menstruation is an important physiological event in life cycle of a female.Female reproductive health and health of progeny significantly depends upon normal menstruation.A specific diet and lifestyle regimen (rajaswala charya) are prescribed during menstrual phase to preserve and maintain health.  

Menstruation is an important physiological event in life cycle of a female.Female reproductive health and health of progeny significantly depends upon normal menstruation.A specific diet and lifestyle regimen (rajaswala charya) are prescribed during menstrual phase to preserve and maintain health.  

Hence, moderate lifestyle and diet regimen is advised to help normal physiological process of menstruation.

Hence, moderate lifestyle and diet regimen is advised to help normal physiological process of menstruation.

 

==Current researches ==

==Current researches ==

*The endometrium functions as a complex multicellular structure that involves interactions of immune, endocrine and vascular systems. The strict regulation of this tissue to allow cyclical ‘injury’ and ‘repair’ at menstruation results in a remarkable physiological response that allows pregnancy to occur.<ref>Maybin JA, Critchley HO. Menstrual physiology: implications for endometrial pathology and beyond. Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(6):748‐761. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmv038</ref>

*The endometrium functions as a complex multicellular structure that involves interactions of immune, endocrine and vascular systems. The strict regulation of this tissue to allow cyclical ‘injury’ and ‘repair’ at menstruation results in a remarkable physiological response that allows pregnancy to occur.<ref>Maybin JA, Critchley HO. Menstrual physiology: implications for endometrial pathology and beyond. Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(6):748‐761. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmv038</ref>

*In a study, it is observed that smoking is associated with increased risk of reporting psychological and behavioral symptoms in premenstrual syndrome. High calorie/fat/sugar/salt foods intake is associated with increased risk of reporting physical symptoms. Fruit consumption shows decreased risk of reporting behavioral symptoms.<ref>Hashim MS, Obaideen AA, Jahrami HA, et al. Premenstrual Syndrome Is Associated with Dietary and Lifestyle Behaviors among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study from Sharjah, UAE. Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1939. Published 2019 Aug 17. doi:10.3390/nu11081939</ref>  

*In a study, it is observed that smoking is associated with increased risk of reporting psychological and behavioral symptoms in premenstrual syndrome. High calorie/fat/sugar/salt foods intake is associated with increased risk of reporting physical symptoms. Fruit consumption shows decreased risk of reporting behavioral symptoms.<ref>Hashim MS, Obaideen AA, Jahrami HA, et al. Premenstrual Syndrome Is Associated with Dietary and Lifestyle Behaviors among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study from Sharjah, UAE. Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1939. Published 2019 Aug 17. doi:10.3390/nu11081939</ref>  

 

===List of thesis done===

===List of thesis done===

1. Shinde Vaishali S.(2004) : A study on the concept of Upadhatu in Samhitas with applied aspect to Artava-Dushti. Samhita, department of basic principles , IPGT & RA .Jamnagar

1. Shinde Vaishali S.(2004) : A study on the concept of Upadhatu in Samhitas with applied aspect to Artava-Dushti. Samhita, department of basic principles , IPGT & RA .Jamnagar