dr.nishi Menopause is the natural termination of a woman’s menstrual cycle on a monthly basis. It often happens between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause occurs when a woman’s ovaries cease egg production and her reproductive hormones decline.
Menopause is not viewed as an illness in Ayurveda, but as a phase of transition. It is a critical moment in a woman’s life because she has the opportunity to prioritise her physical, mental, emotional, sexual, and spiritual health and welfare.
What occurs during menopause?
Ayurveda divides a 100-year lifespan into three phases: the first 25 years, the age of preparation, growth, and development; the next 25 years (until age 50), the age of achievement and maturity; and the remainder of life, the age of life experience (beyond age 50).
According to Ayurveda, many stages of our lives are characterised by a predominance of various doshas. Naturally, kapha predominates from birth to puberty, pitta predominates from puberty to midlife, and vata predominates after the age of 50.
Menopause occurs as a result of the body’s transition from pitta to vata. Menopause generally results in an imbalance in vata and pitta, with little change in kapha.
What are the symptoms of menopause
Women have described a wide variety of symptoms associated with menopause. While not all women experience severe symptoms, they may experience one or more of the following:
- Irregular or excessive bleeding
- Dryness in the skin, hair, nails and vagina
- Insomnia
- Anxiety & Depression
- Palpitations
- Fatigue
- Insufficiency of libido
- Low memory & Inability to concentrate
- Mood swings along with Hot flushes
- Migraines or headaches
- Fluid retention & Abnormal weight gain
- Tenderness in breasts
- Increased urination frequency
- Joint pain and inflammation
Menopause management in Ayurveda
Fortunately, menopause is very manageable in the ayurvedic tradition. Menopausal symptoms are preventable, and extremely effective treatments are available to address the underlying reasons. Many Ayurvedic herbs have a scientifically proven effect on menopause. Some of the important Ayurvedic herbs used for menopause are:
Shatavari – a scientifically proven adaptogen that helps to normalize the female hormones and relieves most of the menopause-related symptoms
Ashoka – a well-researched herb for blood purification that naturally leads to a smooth transition from menstruation to menopause.
Ashwagandha – is an excellent nervine tonic and immunity booster that protects you during the menopausal transition.
Guggulu – abnormal weight gain is one of the main problems that you may face during menopause. Guggulu is the herb of choice that stimulates fat metabolism and prevents weight gain. Instead, it may help you to lose weight.
Shallaki – Joint pain is one of the severe problems that most women face in during their menopause. Shallaki is scientifically proven to improve bone and joint health and prevent joint pain effectively.
Ayurveda Detoxification in Menopause
Weight gain and fluid retention are the two primary menopausal health issues that Ayurvedic detox addresses. The ayurvedic detoxification process uses mild Ayurvedic purgatives that help to drain the excess fluid build, while also cleaning the intestines.
The Ayurvedic detox removes the metabolic toxins and also accelerates the overall rate of metabolism. In this manner, this treatment also promotes effective weight loss.
Besides, the detox leaves you feeling lighter and fresher than before.
Diet & Lifestyle advise
DO’S
- Warm foods and drinks such as Soups
- Use spices such as fennel, ginger, cinnamon, fenugreek and cumin in a food
- Milk and milk products and add a lot of fruits and vegetables
- Raisins, Almonds, Brazil Nuts, walnuts, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
- Regular exercise
- Regular oil massages to alleviate Vata.
DON’TS
- Excessive salt intake, chillies, spices, sour foods, and pickles.
- Refined sugar, junk food, cold carbonated drinks and caffeine
- All bakery products and processed food
- Smoking & Alcohol
