Introduction
In sexual disease different bacteria, viruses and parasites are known to be transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some STIs can also be transmitted from mother-to-child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Eight pathogens are linked to the greatest incidence of STIs. Of these, 4 are currently curable: syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. The other 4 are incurable viral infections: hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus (HSV), HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Scope of the problem
STIs have a profound impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide.
More than 1 million STIs are acquired every day. In 2020, WHO estimated 374 million new infections with 1 of 4 STIs: chlamydia (129 million), gonorrhoea (82 million), syphilis (7.1 million) and trichomoniasis (156 million). More than 490 million people were estimated to be living with genital herpes in 2016, and an estimated 300 million women have an HPV infection, the primary cause of cervical cancer and anal cancer among men who have sex with men. An estimated 296 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B globally. it is also part of sexual disease.
STIs can have serious consequences beyond the immediate impact of the infection itself.
STIs like herpes, gonorrhoea and syphilis can increase the risk of HIV acquisition.
Mother-to-child transmission of STIs can result in stillbirth, neonatal death, low-birth weight and prematurity, sepsis, neonatal conjunctivitis and congenital deformities.
HPV infection causes cervical and other cancers.
Hepatitis B resulted in an estimated 820 000 deaths in 2019, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. STIs such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia are major causes of pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women.
Upadamsha:Sexual Transmission Disease
Causes for Upadamsha:
- Hastha Abhighata (abrasion due to the hand)
- Nakha pata (injury caused due to nails)
- Danta pata (injury caused due to teeth)
- Adhavana (not cleaning the genitalia)
- Rati atisevana (excess sexual indulgence)
- Yoni pradosha (contact of infected vagina)
- Kuyoni gamana (improper/unethical sexual indulgence)
Main Five Types of Upadamsha
1. Vataja upadamsha
2. Pittaja upadamsha
3. Kaphaja upadamsha
4. Sannipathaja upadamsha
5. Raktaja upadamsha
1. Vataja Upadamsha
Features:-
1. Toda (Pricking sensation)
2. Bheda (Cutting pain)
3. Sphurana (Pulsation)
4. Krishna sphota (Black skin lesions/Gangrene) etc
2.Pittaja Upadamsha
Features :-
1. Peeta varnata (Yellow discoloration)
2. Bahukledi (Severe oozing/associated with discharge)
3. Sandana (Lesions with numbness) etc
3.Kaphaja Upadamsha
Features:-
1. Kandu (Itching)
2. Shopha (Oedema)
3. Mahat (Wide infected area)
4. Sravayukta (Lesions associated with discharge) etc
4.Raktaja Upadamsha
Features:-
All features of pittaja upadamsha are found. In addition,
Pishita Avabhasa (necrosed/gangrenous lesions are evident.
Features of sannipataja upadamsha
Mixed features of all the above said signs and symptoms are found.
5. Upadamsha with bad prognosis
Features:-
1. Visheerna mamsa/shishna (Necrosed/Gangrenous genitalia)
2. Krimiyukta (Worm infested)
3. Prajagdha(Burning and decayed/irreversibly lost tissues)
4. Mushkavashosha(Severely infected scrotal area)
5. Picchila(Slimy/watery discharge associated)
6. Sandhisthita(Chancroid lesions extended even to the joints)
Treatment of Upadamsha in Ayurved
1. Snehana (Oleation)
2. Mridu swedana (Mild sudation)
3. Siravyadhana(Blood letting through venesection)
4. Jaloukavacharana(Leech therapy)
5. Vamana (Emesis)
6. Virechana (Purgation)
7. Raktashodhaka oushadhas (Medications purifying the blood) etc
Diet and Habits :
- Madhura amla ahara (sweet and sour food)
- Bramacharya (celibacy)
- Vishrama (rest)
- Ushnodaka (warm water)
- Ksheranna (milk and rice)
- Laghu tarpaka ahara (light and nutritious food)
- Vratha (disciplinary life)
- Prayaschitta (repenting for bad deeds) etc.
Useful Single Herbs for upadamsha
- Manjishta – Rubia cardifolia
- Chandana-Sandalwood-Santalum album
- Shireesha-Albizia Lebbeck
- Chopacheeni-Smilax china
- Khadira-Acacia catechu
- Patola-Pointed Gourd – Cucumerina dioica
- Nimba-Neem-Azadirachta indica
- Kiratatikta-Swertia chirata
- Asana-Pterocarpus marsupium
- Guggulu-Commiphora mukul
- Yashtimadhu-Indian liquorice- Glyccirriza glabra
- Haridra-Turmeric-Curcuma longa
- Daruharidra-Berberis aristata
Ayurvedic medicines
- Kaishora guggulu – ageing skin health promoter, joint health, natural blood cleanser.
- Swayambhuva guggulu
- Karanjadya ghrita
- Chopacheeni paka
- Patoladi kashaya – It is mainly used for the treatment of skin diseases.
- Mahatiktakam kashaya – used to treat wide range of skin diseases, abscess, non healing wounds and sinuses.
- Triphala guggulu – used in the Ayurvedic treatment of weight loss, piles, fistula and inflammatory conditions.
- Gandhaka rasayana – used to treat chronic fever, skin diseases, diarrhoea, urinary tract disorders, pruritis, malabsorption syndrome, bleeding disorders.
- Arogya vardhini vati – used in the treatment of liver diseases, fever, skin diseases, etc.
- Maha manjishtadi kashaya – used in the treatment of skin diseases, gout, syphilis, non healing wounds.
- Sharibadyasava – used in the treatment of gout, diabetes and related skin complications, skin infections. It is a natural blood detox product.
- Nimbamrita kashaya
- Panchanimba choorna – used in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, sinus, fistula,diabetes, etc
- Guggulu tiktakam kashayam