Nasthartava is the Ayurveda term for which menstrual condition?

• A. Dysmenorrhea
• B. Amenorrhea
• C. Menorrhagia
• D. Oligomenorrhea

Answer: (A)

Nashtartava denotes painful menstruation with cramps and lower abdominal pain that can accompany the menstrual period. This pattern aligns with dysmenorrhea in modern terms, where uterine contractions and hormonal shifts cause cramping and discomfort during menses. In Ayurvedic thinking, Vata imbalance affecting the menstrual tissue (artava dhatu) leads to these spasmodic pains, often aggravated by cold, anxiety, or dryness. That interplay produces the characteristic cramping rather than absence of menses, heavy bleeding, or infrequent cycles. So the best fit for Nashtartava is dysmenorrhea.