Menopause: Ayurvedic way for smooth transition
What is Menstruation & Menopause
Menstruation is normal regular physiological process indicating womanhood. It is very important manifestation that occurs in cyclic manner (monthly) in every woman’s life. Ceasing of regular monthly menstrual cycles and ovulation is called as “Menopause”. Menopause denotes to body and mind that the regular secretion of hormones are going to be sluggish.
Menopause it not disease, it happens in every woman’s life at one stage with few symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweating, irritability, dryness in genital parts or vagina, headaches, getting tired easily, low energy and low libido (Sexual drive). It also indicates that for women the child bearing capacity is going down.
What age it really starts?
On average the onset of the symptoms will be in between 46 to 52 years old. Sometimes it may even starts in early ages, most commonly it starts at the age of 45 and last till 50 years. The early onset may be due to familial tendency or due to premature ovarian failure. The early onset of Menopuse normally causes osteoporosis in the old age.
What Ayurveda says about the Menstruation and Menopause?
According to Ayurvedic Medicine, the menstruation means “Raja” (Rajas), which occurs every month and starts from the age of 12 up to the age of 50. Raja is considered as updhatu of rasa (Lymph). Rasa is important for the proper nourishment of all the tissues in the human body.
According to Ayurvedic Medicine, Menopause is treated as aging factors with Vata predominant. The symptoms are different from person to person based on the predominant dosha.
- Vata Type Symptoms: dryness in vagina, extremities get cold, difficulty in getting sleep, mild to variable hot flushes (Invariable), anxiety, panic, nervousness, mood swings, dry skin, palpitations, bloating and constipation
- Pitta Type Symptoms: Angry, irritable, excess hot flushes, night sweats, extremely heavy periods with burning sensation, skin rashes, associated complaints such as UTI 9urianry track infection).
- Kapha Type Symptoms: Weight gain, heavy, lethargy, depression, lack of motivation, hormonal changes such as Thyroid malfunction, fibrocystic changes in uterus or in the breast and excessive fluid retention.
Based on the above clinical symptoms we can find out, which doshas are imbalanced. Most of these are underlying factors or conditions which are usually get triggered due to menopause, and mainly happen due to the stress of shifting hormones in the woman’s body. So the treatment also should be based on the imbalanced humours or Predominant doshas (Dosha).
Graceful Ayurvedic Transition or Treatment:
Most of the menopause symptoms are due the Vata aggravation followed by other doshic factors. The basic concept of Ayurvedic medicine is “ Swasthsya swastya rakshanam and aturasya vikara prasamanam” prevention is better than cure.
In the early pre- menopause stage it is better to balance the aggravated or underplaying factors, so that the intensity of the menopause symptoms will be far less or even can be negligible.
In order to achieve this one should follow the dosha based diet and life style principles followed by Ayurvedic herbs on regular basis. If still symptoms persists, it better to undergo “Panchakarma” (Ayurvedic detoxification), which helps in the elimination of vitiated humours or dhoshas to bring them to balanced stage, then it is advisable to take few Ayurvedic herbs or decoctions and other preparation to make the transition more graceful
You may ask your personal query to Dr Kumar via Email drkumar@jeevahealth.com.au or by phone 0402 282 745/ 03 9939 9474 or 02 6156 0618 regarding any of your health problems. You will be offered authentic Ayurvedic information and an opinion, as to what best can be done pertaining to your ailment. The information provide in the above article is for informative purpose only. It is always important to seek a professional advice. For an appointment please ring us on 03 9939 9474.
