Menopause is not a disease, but a natural transition in women that occurs at the age of 45-55 years. The menstrual cycle stops and sex hormone levels decrease, including that of estrogen, resulting in the condition called menopause. In
Menopause is not a disease, but a natural transition in women that occurs at the age of 45-55 years. The menstrual cycle stops and sex hormone levels decrease, including that of estrogen, resulting in the condition called menopause. In Ayurveda, menopause is described as a natural effect of aging and does not reflect any disease.
Because it is a natural transition between two phases of a woman’s life, menopause is only linked with aging and does not have any significant causative factor. However, cases of Premature Menopause have been noticed in many women below the age of 40. This menopause is more likely to occur in women who smoke excessively, have never been pregnant, or live at high altitudes. Another kind of menopause – surgical menopause – is caused by induced removal of the ovaries. Women who have had surgical menopause often have a sudden and severe onset of the symptoms of menopause.
- Hot flashes
- Salt and fluid retention
- Depression, irritability
- Low sex drive
- Blood clotting
- Memory problems
- Night sweating
- Sleep disturbances
- Frequent urinary tract infections
In Ayurveda, Menopause is linked with aging, which is a Vata (air)-dominated stage of life. Therefore, the symptoms of menopause experienced by some women are similar to the symptoms seen when the Vata Dosha increases and upsets the normal balance of the body. Vata-type menopausal symptoms include depression, anxiety and insomnia. Menopause may also manifest itself as an increase in the other two doshas. Women with Pitta (fire)-type symptoms are often angry and suffer hot flashes. Kapha (water)-type symptoms include listlessness, weight gain, and feelings of mental and physical heaviness.
Ayurvedic treatment of Menopause focuses on strengthening and rejuvenating the reproductive system. Herbal preparations are prescribed to regulate the hormones, calm mental stress and maintain effective digestion. General tonics are also prescribed for boosting immunity and to provide rejuvenation. Diet and lifestyle adjustments are advised to maintain health and increase vitality naturally.
Diet & Lifestyle Advice
- Avoid excessive intake of salt, chilies, spices, sour foods, and pickles.
- Decrease intake of caffeine and other stimulants, refined sugar, cold drinks, and salads.
- Completely avoid junk food and carbonated drinks.
- Increase intake of warm foods and drinks; maintain regular meals; and use spices such as fennel and cumin.
- An early bedtime, daily oil massage (with almond and olive oil), meditation, yoga, and regular exercise (like walking) are all helpful.
- Take approximately one-fourth cup of beetroot juice three times a day.
- Boil one teaspoon of carrot seeds in one cup of milk for 10 minutes. Drink it once daily.
- Take one teaspoon Indian Aloe vera pulp (Aloe barbadensis) with black salt and dry ginger powder every morning for a period of ten days.
- Soak five almonds overnight. In the morning, peel off the skin and grind them to a fine paste. Grind 3 black peppers, 2 pieces of cardamom and one teaspoonful of anise seeds and mix them with almond paste. Add this paste to 250 ml of boiled milk. Add one teaspoonful of honey and drink it when it is lukewarm.
- Take one tablespoonful of licorice powder and add two cups of water to it. Boil it on medium fire and evaporate the water till it remains one cup. Take soyabean powder with this drink. This can be taken twice daily.