Yonikanda: Causes, Pathogenesis, Classification, Symptoms, Treatment

By Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S

Yonikanda is a disease of vagina presenting with masses / protuberant structures growing in the vagina.

Yoni = vagina
Kanda = protuberant structure, tuber like growth
Read – Gynecological Disorders Causes, Types As Per Ayurveda

Table of Contents

Causes, pathology

Etiological factors of Yonigandam

Diwa swapna – excessive day-sleep
Ati krodha – excessive anger
Ati vyayama – excessive exercise
Ati vyavaya – excessive indulgence in coitus
Nakha dantadibhih kshatat – injury and subsequent ulceration caused by nails, teeth, thorns etc

Pathogenesis of Yonikandam

Sanskrit verse

Due to the etiological factors, doshas in the body of woman get aggravated. These aggravated doshas contaminate vagina and cause protuberant structures therein.

Shape of the protuberant structure resembles nikucha (rounded) or lakucha i.e. Artocarpus lakoocha fruit in shape. The colour resembles the colour of pus and blood i.e. yellowish or reddish in colour. These structures caused by morbid doshas in vagina are called Yonikanda or Yonijakanda. This disease more often occurs in vagina of the older women.
Read – Vatala Yoni Vyapad – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Classification, symptoms

Classification of Yonikand

Yonikanda is of four types.

Vataja – caused by vitiated vata
Pittaja – caused by vitiated pitta
Kaphaja – caused by vitiated kapha
Sannipataja Yonikanda – caused by simultaneous vitiation of all three doshas

Read – Charaka Chikitsa Sthana 30th Chapter – Yoni Vyapat

Signs and Symptoms of Yonikanda

1. Symptoms of Vataja Yonikand

Vaginal mass will be dry, rough and discoloured with cracked appearance.

2. Symptoms of Pittaja Yoni kand

Vaginal protuberance is associated with presence of burning sensation, redness and fever.
Read – Granthi: Cystic Swelling, Types, Features, Ayurvedic Treatment

3. Symptoms of Kaphaja Yoni kanda

Vaginal protuberance will have colour of flowers of atasi / flax or sesame i.e. bluish colour and will be associated with itching.
Read – Vaginal Itching: Causes, Symptoms, Ayurveda Remedies, Tips

4. Symptoms of Sannipatika Yonikanda

This condition will be associated with features of all three doshas combined together.

Correlation

Modern correlation of Yonikand

Yonikanda is a disease of vulva or lower vaginal canal. This is evident because injury by nails and teeth are also causative factors of this condition. It is obvious that nails or teeth cannot reach beyond lower part of vaginal canal.
Read – Arshas (Hemorrhoids), Ayurvedic Types, Causes And Symptoms

It has been correlated with –

Polypoidal growth protruding through introitus
Malignant vaginal ulcers / Early stage of Bartholin’s abscess– Vataja yonikanda
Acute suppuration stage of Bartholin’s abscess – Pittaja yonikanda
Chronic stage of Bartholin’s abscess – Kaphaja yonikanda
Acute suppuration in chronic Bartholin’s abscess – Sannipataja yonikanda
Simple or infected Bartholin’s cyst = Kaphaja and Sannipataja Yonikanda
Bartholin’s abscess – due to resemblance with pus or blood colour
Prolapse of uterus especially after menopause
Read – Perimenopause Symptoms, Ayurvedic Treatment, Lifestyle Tips

Treatment

Treatment of Yonikanda

Gairikadi Churna yoni purana –
Powder of red ochre, kernel of mango and Embelia ribes should be mixed in honey and the paste should be filled in the vagina.

Amrasthyadi churna yoni purana –
Powder of kernel of mango, turmeric, extract of Berberis aristata and Myrica nagi should be mixed in honey and filled in the vagina.

Triphaladi kwatha –
Decoction of triphala mixed with honey should be used for irrigation of vagina.
Read – Mushikadi Taila

Mushaka taila –
Oil should be cooked with small pieces of immediately killed rat. When the meat is properly processed, the oil should be filtered. Use of tampon soaked with this oil cures yonikanda when inserted in vagina.