Kerala promotes Ayurveda alongside modern medicine for preventive women's healthcare

Kozhikode: Kerala is witnessing a renewed emphasis on integrating Ayurveda with modern medicine, particularly in women's healthcare, as practitioners advocate preventive and personalised treatment strategies for menstrual disorders, infertility, menopause and lifestyle-related conditions.

Doctors stated that the state's traditional system of medicine is being used alongside conventional healthcare to promote early intervention, disease p,revention and long-term wellness rather than serving as an alternative to modern medicine.

Speaking at the conclave, Dr. Hridya, Senior Ayurvedic Consultant and Head of the Department of Women's Health at Sanjeevanam Ayurveda Hospital, Kakkanad, said the focus is on maintaining health before illness develops through appropriate diet, lifestyle modifications and timely medical guidance.

According to her, early intervention during adolescence can help address menstrual irregularities and lower the risk of developing conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD). She noted that hormonal disorders, if left untreated, may later contribute to metabolic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism and high cholesterol, reports The Tribune.

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Dr. Hridya also highlighted the importance of pre-conception care, recommending that couples seek medical advice months or even years before planning pregnancy. Addressing concerns such as ovarian cysts, hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiencies and chronic pain beforehand, she said, can help improve pregnancy outcomes. She added that the hospital has assisted more than 100 couples facing infertility, including several with complex reproductive health conditions.

Apart from fertility care, Ayurveda is also being used to manage menopausal symptoms, musculoskeletal complaints and age-related hormonal changes through herbal medicines, dietary counselling and lifestyle interventions.

Emphasising an integrative model of care, Dr. Hridya said Ayurveda should complement rather than replace modern medicine. While emergency treatment and surgical procedures remain the strength of conventional medicine, she said Ayurveda has a valuable role in preventive healthcare, chronic disease management and lifestyle-related illnesses.

Another traditional practice gaining attention is Nadi Pariksha (pulse diagnosis). Dr Nirmithy Thampan of D Fort Ayurveda said the technique helps identify an individual's Vata, Pitta or Kapha constitution, enabling personalised treatment plans based on a patient's unique physiological profile.

Experts believe Kerala's evolving healthcare model reflects a broader shift towards integrative medicine, where traditional knowledge and modern medical practice work together to deliver preventive, patient-centred and holistic healthcare.

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