The Missing Cycle: Understanding It Through the Ayurvedic Lens

But as we caught up, she shared something that made me pause. She hadn’t had her period for the last five months. Five months! At first, it might not seem like a big deal, but in reality, our menstrual cycle is a vital indicator of overall health.

Her experience reminded me of a conversation I had with my aunt recently. She, too, had mentioned how so many women she knows are struggling with irregular or missing periods. Studies show that around 3–4% of women worldwide experience amenorrhea at some point in their lives. It is the medical term for the absence of menstruation. It is the medical term for the absence of menstruation. In India alone, nearly 1 in 5 women of reproductive age faces menstrual irregularities due to stress, hormonal imbalances, or lifestyle factors.

Just as your stool is a powerful indicator of your overall well-being, your menstrual cycle reveals a lot about what’s going on inside your body. When your period goes missing, it is not just an inconvenience, it is your body’s way of saying something is off.

In this blog, we will understand about Amenorrhea, why it happens, and how it connects to your overall health from an Ayurvedic perspective. Because let’s be honest ‘Bade boodhon ki raye hamesha kaam aati hai.’

Ayurveda and the Menstrual Cycle

According to Ayurveda, menstruation is governed by Artava Vaha Srotas. These srotas are the channels that are responsible for menstrual flow and reproductive health. Three doshas deeply influence these channels, which are the fundamental bio-energies that control our physical, mental, and emotional health. 

Personality types like the Myers-Briggs or Four Temperaments group people based on their traits. In the same way, Ayurveda classifies individuals into Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Doshas, which affect their body and mind. These doshas are derived from ‘Panchtatva’, earth, water, fire, air, and space. You might think that Gen Z invented the whole "vibes" and "energy" culture, but guess what? Our ancestors were already on it thousands of years ago!  

When these doshas are in balance, menstruation occurs naturally and smoothly. However, when they become imbalanced, menstrual irregularities, including Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), may arise.

• Vata dosha: Governs movement, circulation, and the downward flow of menstruation.

• Pitta dosha: Governs heat and transformation, including blood quality and hormonal balance.

• Kapha dosha: Governs structure and nourishment, supporting tissue development and hormonal reserves.

Types of Amenorrhea in Ayurveda

Alright, let's get real, how many of us actually keep track of our monthly cycles? Not many, right? It's often a case of "Jab tak kuch bada na ho jaye, tab tak toh kuch karna hi nahi," meaning we tend to ignore things until they become serious. It starts with, “Okay, maybe a little delay,” but then days turn into weeks, and weeks into months. That's when you know something's up.

According to Ayurveda, amenorrhea isn’t just about missing periods, it’s your body’s way of signaling an imbalance. Ayurveda classifies amenorrhea into two types: Primary Amenorrhea and Secondary Amenorrhea. Each type has different causes and requires a unique approach to treatment. 

Understanding these distinctions can help in addressing the root cause rather than just the symptoms.

1. Primary Amenorrhea – When a young girl has not started menstruating by the expected age (around 16 years). This can be due to genetic, hormonal, or nutritional factors.

2. Secondary Amenorrhea – When a woman who previously had regular cycles stops menstruating for three or more months. Approximately 5–7% of menstruating women in the United States experience three months of secondary amenorrhea each year. This can be caused by stress, lifestyle changes, or reproductive disorders.

So… What Causes It?

1. Genetic Factors (Beeja Dosha)

Sometimes, it is not your fault at all, your genes might just be wired differently! Ayurveda calls this Beeja Dosha, meaning some women are born with reproductive irregularities that delay or stop their periods.

Science agrees with this theory. Studies show that some women have genetic conditions that mess with the brain’s ability to send "start your period" signals to the ovaries. 

2. Food Matters (Rasa Dhatu)

We all grew up memorizing that electricity is the food of computers, but what about us? Does that mean we should just eat anything and everything? ‘Pet toh burger se bhi bhar jaata hai’, but here’s the thing, it is not about eating enough, it is about eating right.

Your body is not just looking for any food, it needs key nutrients like iron and vitamin A to function properly. Without the right fuel, even your car won’t run properly, so how can you expect so much from your body? 

Ayurveda explains this through Rasa Dhatu. It is the essential energy derived from food that keeps your body balanced and healthy. And guess what? Modern science completely backs this up! Studies show that when your diet lacks essential nutrients, your body presses pause on your period. because without enough fuel, it simply can’t keep running the way it should.  

3. Stress (Manovaha Srotas, or The Mind-Body Connection)

Ever noticed how your stomach acts up when you’re stressed? Well, your uterus is no different. Stress starts in your brain and affects your body organs and their functions. These are not my words, science has proved that stress increases cortisol (the stress hormone), which in turn disrupts the hormones that control your period.

Similarly, Ayurveda says that stress messes with Manovaha Srotas. These strotas are the mind-body pathways, which can throw your cycle off balance. A study found that nearly 40% of women worldwide experience menstrual irregularities due to stress. 

4. Too Much Gym, Not Enough Rest (Vata Aggravation)

Have you heard the saying, “Har cheez ki ati buri hoti hai”? Well, it applies to everything, whether it is doing too much or not doing enough.

Exercise is great, but too much of it? Not so much. Ayurveda believes that excessive physical activity aggravates Vata dosha, which can actually shut down your period. In today’s terms, we would call it "overdoing things."

The whole hustle culture is inspiring, but pushing your body to the extreme is not a flex, it is a red flag. Studies show that women who overtrain (especially athletes or those doing extreme workouts) often lose their periods because their body thinks it's in survival mode. It is your system’s way of saying, “I do not have enough energy for this, so let’s take a break.”

5. Hormonal Blockages (Artava Vaha Srotas)

Hormones are like messenger chemicals that different organs release to tell other organs what to do. Think of them as your body’s built-in WhatsApp system that delivers important instructions. For example, during puberty, your brain releases growth hormone, which signals your bones and muscles to grow. Similarly, some hormones control your ovaries and regulate your menstrual cycle.

But sometimes, this messaging system gets jammed, and your period disappears. Ayurveda calls this an Artava Vaha Srotas imbalance, which sounds fancy but simply means that your body's internal communication is blocked.

Many women with amenorrhea are wrongly diagnosed with PCOS just because their ovaries look "polycystic" on scans. But here’s the catch, almost 45% of women with amenorrhea have ovaries that appear polycystic, yet their real issue is not PCOS at all, it is a case of hormonal miscommunication

What Happens When Your Period Goes Missing?

Now that we know why periods disappear, let’s talk about what happens next. As discussed earlier, your menstrual cycle is not just about reproduction, it is an important sign of overall health. When it stops, it can set off a chain reaction in your body.

1. Weaker Bones – Missing periods mean lower estrogen levels, which can lead to bone loss over time. Ayurveda named it Asthi Dhatu Kshaya. Studies show that women with long-term amenorrhea are at higher risk of osteoporosis. It is a condition where your bones get hollow. 

2. Fertility Issues – No period often means no ovulation, which can make it harder to conceive in the future.

3. Mood Swings & Anxiety – Hormonal imbalances do not just affect your cycle, they can also impact your mood, sleep, and energy levels. So, if you are facing problems in doing mundane tasks, listen to what your body is trying to say. 

4. Metabolic Changes – When your period is missing due to stress, over-exercising, or poor nutrition, your body may go into energy-conservation mode. It slows down your metabolism and affects digestion.

Ayurveda or Modern Science

What is the first thing that your doctor does when you complain about your missing period? The doctor nods, runs some tests, and hands you a pack of hormonal pills. “Take these, your cycle will be back on track.” Simple, right? Well, not really. It is like putting tape over a leaking pipe instead of fixing the plumbing.

Now, Ayurveda takes a different approach. Instead of just forcing your period to show up, it asks, “Why did it disappear in the first place?” Modern science says it is a hormone problem, and Ayurveda says it is a dosha imbalance, but at the core, both agree your body is out of sync. The difference? Modern medicine treats the symptom, Ayurveda treats the cause.

Science will tell you that stress, diet, and lifestyle affect your hormones. Ayurveda has been saying the same thing for thousands of years! But instead of filling your body with synthetic hormones, Ayurveda works with what you already have. It brings your body back into balance through food, herbs, and lifestyle changes. No side effects, no dependency, just your body healing itself, the way it was meant to.

Why You Should Seek Ayurvedic Consultation for Amenorrhea

If you or someone you know is experiencing Amenorrhea, the first step is awareness, not panic. Yes, Ayurveda offers herbs and natural treatments, but knowing what to use and when requires expert guidance. While Ayurveda promotes a holistic approach, it is crucial to consult a qualified Ayurvedic doctor who can:

•  Assess your Prakriti (body constitution) and menstrual health. 

•  Identify imbalances in doshas and Artava Vaha Srotas. 

•  Recommend lifestyle and dietary changes tailored to your unique needs. 

•  Offer guidance on safe and effective treatments without self-medication.

Avoid self-diagnosis, as every woman’s body is unique. Seeking expert advice ensures that your reproductive health is in good hands.

Conclusion

Menstruation is not just a monthly event, it is your body’s way of communication. When your cycle is regular, it is like your body saying, “All good here, keep doing what you’re doing!” But the moment it stops, it is more like, “Hey, something’s off—we need to talk.”

Ayurveda teaches us that a healthy cycle is not just about the uterus, it is about balance in the mind, body, and spirit. Instead of just panicking, Ayurveda helps you understand the root cause.

By learning about Ayurveda, consulting experts (not just Googling symptoms at 2 AM!), and adopting a balanced lifestyle, you can bring your body back into harmony. No hormonal injections, no temporary fixes, just real healing.

So, let’s keep talking, break the stigma, and encourage women to listen to their bodies. Because guess what? Your health is not just important, it is precious. 

References

• Kaviraj Dr. Ambikadatta Shastri, Sushruta Samhita, Ayurvedatatvasandipika Hindivyakhya, Chaukhamba Sanskrita Samsthana, Varanasi (2014). Sharir sthana 2:23 page no. 16. 6. Ashtanga Samgraha of Vriddha Vagbhata with Sashilekha Samskrita Commentary by Indu, Chaukhamba Samskrita Series, Varanasi (2008), Uttaratantra 38:47, page no. 830. 

• Mariam Saadedine, Sarah L. Berga, Stephanie S. Faubion & Chrisandra L. Shufelt (2025) The silent pandemic of stress: impact on menstrual cycle and ovulation, Stress, 28:1, 2457767, DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2025.2457767

• Prarthana T, Rao VG. Management of secondary amenorrhea and PCOS by Vamana and Virechana - a case report. J Res Ayurvedic Sci 2022;6:11-6

• Prof. Shrikanta Murthy K.R. Vagbhatas Ashtangahridayam, Vol. III, Chaukhamba Krishnadasa Acadamy, Varanasi (2006), Uttaratantra 33:45, page no. 314.

• Vd. Harishchandra Simha Kushwaha, Charaka Samhita, Sri Chakrapanidatta virachita Ayurvedadipika Hindivyakhya, Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi (2009), Chikitsasthana 30:34,35 page no. 804. 

• Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Current evaluation of amenorrhea: a committee opinion. Fertil Steril. 2024 Mar 6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

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