Unani Perspective of Premenstrual Syndrome in Women: A Review

Unani Perspective of Premenstrual Syndrome in Women: A Review

Background and Objectives: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a commonly reported condition that affects women of reproductive age. It is a recurring set of physical, psychological, and behavioural variations that occur during the second half of the menstrual cycle and can have a significant impact on overall health. The pathogenesis of PMS is complex and multifactorial, with several possible causes such as hormonal imbalances, sodium retention, and nutritional deficiencies. Despite being a recently described problem, PMS-like symptoms have been reported for centuries, and the condition can significantly disrupt the quality of life of reproductive-age women, causing substantial morbidity and an adverse impact on interpersonal relationships. Unani scholars have surmised that various menstruation-related psycho-neurological and behavioural symptoms such as anxiety, depression, forgetfulness and sleep changes can also occur due to Mushārakat-al-Rahim (involvement of the uterus). In this article, we discuss the Unani perspective of PMS and explore the historical as well as evidence-based medicine benefits of PMS. Therefore, a comprehensive search of classical Unani literature, as well as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and other indexing databases, were searched for Premenstrual syndrome. Conclusion: According to Unani scriptures, the treatment is to treat the underlying cause, such as aberrant temperament and psychological and environmental issues. Unani drugs have emmenagogue, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective qualities that can help alleviate premenstrual symptoms. Unani herbs such as C. sativus, Vitex, agnus castus, P. vulgare, N. Jatamansi, M. officinalis, and Z. officinalis have been clinically demonstrated to be effective in PMS. Thus, traditional knowledge authentication and conservation are vital for future research and appreciated for application in the modern day. Furthermore, randomised controlled trials, comprehensive reviews, and meta-analyses are suggested.