Madanmohan (2008) states that the impact of yoga on physical and mental health has been proven in research many times. Hormonal yoga, however, is a relatively young concept and is based on the foundations of Dinah Rodriduez's Hormonal Yoga Therapy. Rodriguez systematically damascenes?? her system and extends the possibilities of its possible impact. In her books (2014, 2015) she introduces some selected cases when her concept helped. Unfortunately, these case studies do not have a seriously scientifically-backed background. Nevertheless, this chapter is based on Rodriguez´s knowledge as the only available resource. It provides a brief description of selected difficulties and disorders of the endocrine and reproductive system that hormonal yoga may influence according to Dinah. It would be very beneficial in the future, if the research focused on the impact of yoga on the human health targeted in this topic in order to confirm or refute the claimed impact and effects.
Thyroid diseases are some of the most common endocrine diseases. A number of endocrine organs may be the target of an autoimmune attack. The thyroid gland is one of the most common targets of autoimmune damage that can be manifested by a development in the neck, struma (thyroid enlargement), as well as by irritation or soreness in the neck. It can develop into the increased (hyperthyroidism) or decreased (hypothyroidism) function of the thyroid gland.
Hyperthyroidism is a disease characterized by the increased working of the thyroid. A large amount of thyroid hormones are produced, and simultaneously there is an increased response in the peripheral tissues to these hormones. The excess of the hormones may be accompanied by certain typical symptoms. A common symptom is the struma, which is lacking in approximately 10% of the affected women. Another consequence of the increased amount of hormones is the acceleration of the metabolism, which influences many other organs. The skin can get sweaty and warm, the hair thins, the nails become brittle or grooved. Excessive fatigue may be common and frequent, a loss in muscle mass or in total weight may occur, sometimes accompanied by an increased appetite and diarrhea. Nervous and mental symptoms, such as gentle tremors, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, restlessness and anxiety can also be present. Higher levels of tyroxine can cause the inability to maintain pregnancy.
The causes of hypothyroidism, a disease characterized by the decreased working of the thyroid, may be thyroid inflammation, postoperative states after the thyroid gland underwent an operation, radioiodine treatment, prolonged iodine deficiency, or the irradiation of the throat. Fatigue, decreased efficiency, sleepiness, cold-sensitivness, forgetfulness and the inclination to depressions are amongst the most common manifestations and difficulties. Other symptoms involve pain in the muscles and joints, dry and peeling skin, the swelling of lower limbs, the face and around the eyes. There is a tendency to become overweight caused by swelling and a lower metabolism, or severe constipation. In women, hypothyroidism can lead to sterility, reproductive and menstrual disorders, such as menstrual cycle irregularities, irregular ovulation, oligomenorrhea, and ovarian dysfunctions. Hypothyroidism may increase the risk of atherosclerosis or the level of cholesterol in the blood.
Here, we consider that it is very important to mention that Monika Schostak in her book called Hormonal Yoga, which mainly explains the ideas of Dinah Rodriguez’s concept, states that the practice of hormonal yoga should be appropriately adapted in case of hyperthyroidism. She recommends the reduction of breathing techniques, especially bhastrika.
The natural manifestations of the menopause are irregular and the loss of menstruation. In some women, the menopause may occur earlier than at the age of 40. The causes can be genetic, but stress or other stimuli can also trigger this process. Various difficulties that women experience as unpleasant and annoying may accompany the menopause. These may include hot flushes and excessive sweating, insomnia, mental and emotional instability, an increase in weight, nausea and constipation. Headaches, pain in the back and joints, worsening of the blood circulation in the lower extremities, swelling and formication can appear, as well as hair loss and a worsening of hair quality, drying of vaginal mucus and a decrease in libido. There is a higher risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. These manifestations are highly individual and relate to complex changes occurring not only in the reproductive and endocrine system, but also in other organ systems. These manifestations may also depend on the mental and psychological state of a woman and many other factors. It is often very difficult to find and determine their cause.
Irregular menstruations occur as a natural sign of the menopause when a physiological reduction in sex hormone secretion begins. If irregular or the total loss of menstruation occur earlier than at the age of 40, it is not a natural process. This is secondary amenorrhoea. Menstrual irregularities in the frequency and length of the period can appear due to the lack of estrogen. The lack of progesterone can cause extensive menstrual bleeding. The deficiency of both of these hormones or their irregular secretion can result in no ovulation. Menstrual irregularities may arise due to the pathological functioning of the ovaries or their superior glands, the glands of the hypothalamic-pituitary system. Other reasons may include anorexia or excessive physical load.
Primary dysmenorrhea is another disorder. It is a painful menstruation that often affects young women aged 15-19. The dysmenorrhea may be accompanied by headaches, nausea, fatigue, or backaches. Oligomenorea is irregular menstrual intervals, longer than 35 days, and the bleeding occurs only 4 to 9 times a year. The causes of oligomenorea are various, including thyroid hyperfunction, hormonal changes associated with the onset of the menopause, the polycystic ovary syndrome or eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. Menorrhagia is a severe excesive bleeding that can be caused by anovulation, the menopause or cancer.
Premenstrual syndrome manifested by a number of physical, mental and emotional symptoms occuring 3 to 14 days before the menstrual bleeding can be included in menstrual disorders too. The symptoms of premenstrual syndrome can involve breast stiffness and soreness, fatigue, anxiety, mood changes, depression, nausea, headaches, decrease in libido or weight gain, insomnia. The cause of the syndrome is unknown, but it can appear due to changes in hormone levels before the menstrual period.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is caused by an increased level of testosterone, estrogen and luteinizing hormone, and by the decreased secretion of the follicle-stimulating hormone. Follicles maturing inside the ovaries rise to the surface of the ovary in healthy women, where they burst and release an egg. If the follicles are not released, they grow under the surface of the ovary. This process can repeat itself many times. Thus, a cyst, or even more cysts, can develop, and the ovaries can be distended. The ovary shell also grows, the ovulation is stopped, causing the absence of menstruation and infertility. The main cause of the syndrome is unknown.
Infertility is the inability to conceive a child after regular unprotected sexual intercourse for more than 1 year. Factors that could play a role in female infertility include non-ovulation, problems with the production of mucus in the genital tract, fallopian tube problems, or uterine abnormalities. In addition to pathophysiological factors, lifestyle, stress, and other phenomena may play a major role. The treatment of infertility is complicated because its cause can be anywhere in the body.