Role of Rasayana in Female Infertility in Relation with PCOS

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common, yet complex endocrine disorder affecting women in their reproductive years and is a leading cause of infertility. The prevalence of PCOS is increasing with most women impacted falling in the 20-30 years age group which is estimated to be 5-10% women in general population who are undergoing nutritional transitions due to westernized diets and lifestyle. The pathophysiology of PCOS involvesmultisystemic dysfunction; namely reproduction, endocrine, and metabolic. The symptoms of PCOS vary from person to person. They could range from irregular menstruation, hirsutism, obesity and hair loss in some cases and long term can lead to complications. This syndrome cannot be included under any particular condition in specific and can be correlated in Ayurveda with artavakshaya, anartava and pushpagnijataharinibased on itslakshanas, which arevatakaphapradhana rasa pradoshajavyadhi. In this condition adopting vatakaphahara and pitta vridhikaraaharavihara, proper shodhana and rasayana karma along with life style modification can control the onset and further progression of the disease. So in the present context, an attempt is made to explain the role of rasayana in female infertility in relation with PCOS.