YONIVYAPAD IN AYURVEDA: CLASSICAL CLASSIFICATION AND ITS RELEVANCE IN MODERN GYNECOLOGY - A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
ntroduction: Yonivyapad refers to gynecological disorders described in Ayurveda, comprising twenty conditions caused by doshic imbalance, improper conduct, and pathological alterations in reproductive tissues. These disorders range from menstrual irregularities and infertility to structural and infectious conditions. Modern gynecology also classifies diseases of the female reproductive system into structural, functional, endocrine, and infectious categories. Correlating Yonivyapad with modern nosology offers opportunities for integrative insights. Methods: This review synthesizes information from Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya, and their commentaries, alongside articles retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Keywords used included “Yonivyapad,” “Ayurveda gynecology,” “female reproductive disorders Ayurveda,” and “women’s health Ayurveda.” Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed publications (2000-2024) and classical texts with relevance to gynecology. Non-peer-reviewed or anecdotal sources were excluded. Results: Ayurveda classifies Yonivyapad into 20 types, broadly grouped by doshic predominance (Vata, Pitta, Kapha, and Sannipataja), dhatu involvement, or external causes. These include conditions such as Artava Vyapad (menstrual disorders), Vandhyatva (infertility), Shweta Pradara (leucorrhea), and traumatic or infectious conditions. Modern gynecology parallels these under categories like abnormal uterine bleeding, PCOS, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, and neoplasms. Both systems highlight the centrality of reproductive health to overall well-being. Ayurveda additionally emphasizes dietary, behavioral, and psychological causes, which align with modern understandings of lifestyle and stress impacts. Discussion: Comparing Ayurvedic Yonivyapad with modern gynecology highlights convergence in recognizing pathophysiological diversity, while Ayurveda uniquely provides a preventive, personalized, and holistic approach. Integrative research may help validate traditional therapies and improve outcomes for chronic gynecological disorders.
KEYWORDS: Ayurveda, Gynecology, Reproductive health, Women’s health, Yonivyapad