Embracing the Natural Change: Menopause and the Foundation of Ayurveda

Embracing the Natural Change: Menopause and the Foundation of Ayurveda

Menopause is a natural and inevitable stage in a woman’s life, usually occurring between the ages of 42 and 50. It’s not just the time when menstruation stops; it’s a transitional period that brings about significant physical and mental changes. Many women experience physical and emotional distress during this phase. For those seeking effective and natural remedies for these issues, the Ayurvedic Panchakarma Clinic on Sinhagad Road in Pune has consistently been a place of trust. This article will provide you with scientific information about menopause, its symptoms, and the importance of Ayurvedic diet (Ahar), lifestyle (Vihar), and treatments in managing this phase.

What is Menopause and When Does It Occur?

Menopause signifies the natural end of a woman’s reproductive capacity. It is medically confirmed when a woman has not had a menstrual period for twelve consecutive months. The stage preceding this, where periods become irregular, is known as Perimenopause. Generally, menopause occurs in women’s lives between the ages of 42 and 50.

The Main Cause: Hormonal Changes

The function of the Ovaries, which produce eggs, gradually slows down. This leads to a decline in the levels of crucial hormones like Progesterone and Estrogen in the body. The deficiency of Progesterone, in particular, gives rise to many troublesome symptoms. This hormonal imbalance affects not just the reproductive system but overall health, potentially increasing the risk of Osteoporosis and heart diseases.

After the reproductive phase ends, the balance of hormones shifts. Reduced or sometimes increased menstrual bleeding, severe abdominal pain, and emotional distress are all symptoms of these changes.

Common Symptoms of Menopause and Women’s Concerns

Menopausal symptoms can vary in type and intensity for every woman. For your information, here are some major symptoms:

1. Physical Troubles

• Changes in Menstrual Cycle: Irregular periods, sometimes heavy bleeding, and sometimes very light bleeding.
• Skin Changes: Skin becomes dry, dull, and sensitive. Increased formation of wrinkles on the face and body.
• Genital and Urinary Dryness: Vaginal and Urinary Dryness is felt, which can make sexual intercourse painful.
• Urinary Issues: Frequent urge to urinate, burning sensation during urination, and reduced control over urination (Urinary Incontinence).
• Hot Flashes: Sudden waves of heat across the body accompanied by excessive sweating.

2. Mental and Emotional Changes

• Mood Swings: Increased irritability, anger, depression, or anxiety.
• Insomnia: Difficulty sleeping or frequent waking at night.
• Reduced Memory: Difficulty concentrating or an increase in forgetfulness.

Types of Menopause

Menopause is mainly of two types:

• 1. Natural Menopause: The stage that occurs naturally with age.
• 2. Surgical Menopause (Ovary Removal): Menopause that occurs immediately due to the removal of the ovaries via surgery for certain medical reasons.

Ayurveda and Menopause: A Natural Perspective

In Ayurveda, menopause is considered a part of ‘Jara’ (Ageing). This stage primarily arises due to the imbalance of the Vata Dosha, which leads to an increase in ‘dryness’ and ‘irregularity’ in the body.

• Women with an aggravated Vata Dosha experience more dryness, insomnia, and joint pain.
• Some women show Pitta Dominance symptoms like ‘hot flashes,’ excessive sweating, and ‘irritability.’
• While others with Kapha Dominance may experience ‘lethargy,’ ‘weight gain,’ and ‘depression.’

The goal of Ayurveda is not just to treat the symptoms but to balance the Doshas and strengthen the body to approach this phase with ease and health.

Balanced Diet and Lifestyle (Ahar-Vihar)

According to Ayurveda, a proper Diet (Ahar) and Lifestyle (Vihar) are crucial during this phase.

Necessary Changes in Diet (Dietary Modifications)

• Calcium and Nutrition: A calcium-rich diet is essential for maintaining bone health. Include sprouted Nachni, fresh fruits (like apples), and plenty of salad.
• Snehana (Oiling) and Cooling: To balance the Vata Dosha, regularly consume cow’s ghee, buttermilk, and milk. This reduces dryness in the body. Reduce the use of oil and vegetable ghee.
• Protein and Fibre: Use sprouted pulses and natural fibre.
• Foods to Avoid: Completely avoid oil, vegetable ghee, and non-vegetarian foods. Also, reduce the intake of salt and spices.
• Natural Detox: Drinking one glass of wheatgrass juice daily for a week once every six months is beneficial for vitamins. Two glasses of fresh buttermilk during the day are essential.

Lifestyle Balance (Vihar: Lifestyle Management)

• Sufficient Sleep: Completely avoid staying up late at night (Jagran).
• Positive Attitude: Try to keep the mind cheerful and happy. Avoid negative emotions like anger, hatred, and anxiety.
• Regular Exercise: Gentle exercise, Yogasana, and Pranayama are necessary daily to maintain energy and improve mood.
• Abstinence from Addiction: Stay away from addictions like tobacco, mishri (a form of tobacco powder), and alcohol.
• Hobby: Cultivate a hobby to keep the mind engaged and reduce stress.

Ayurvedic Treatment: Panchakarma and Medicinal Planning

The symptoms of menopause differ widely among women. For this reason, Ayurvedic medicines and Panchakarma treatments must be administered differently according to each woman’s constitution (Prakruti) and the symptoms she is experiencing.

Importance of Panchakarma

Since the Vata Dosha (dryness) is aggravated, the Panchakarma treatment method proves highly effective.

• Snehana (Oil Application): Massaging the body with oil, which reduces dryness of the skin and joints.
• Basti (Medicated Enema): Administering medicated oil or decoction Basti to pacify the Vata Dosha and improve digestion.
• Shirodhara: A continuous stream of medicated oil on the forehead to reduce stress and promote peaceful sleep.

Panchakarma helps balance the Doshas by eliminating toxins from the body, thus mitigating the adverse effects of hormonal changes and making the menopausal transition smoother.

Medicinal Planning

Specific Herbal Medicines (Aushadhi Yojana) are prescribed by doctors based on the patient’s constitution and symptoms, helping to maintain hormonal balance, bone health, and mental stability. This includes medicines that balance Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Doshas.

Conclusion

Menopause is a natural and important milestone in every woman’s life. It is not a disease but an inevitable part of the changes occurring in the body. Simple remedies like a proper diet, a positive lifestyle, regular yoga, and a balanced lifestyle can alleviate the distress associated with this stage. From Ayurveda’s holistic perspective, Panchakarma and medicinal planning work according to the individual’s Constitution (Prakruti), which reduces the adverse effects of hormonal changes and maintains peace of mind and physical energy. To ensure a healthy transition through this natural process and for proper guidance and treatment, an experienced medical team is ready at the Ayurvedic Panchakarma Clinic on Sinhagad Road in Pune.

FAQs:- 

1. How long does the process of menopause last, and what are its stages?

Answer: It’s a common misconception that menopause is a quick event. In reality, it’s a journey spanning several years, usually lasting 8 to 10 years! This process unfolds in three main stages:

1. Perimenopause: This is the initial and longest phase, starting anywhere from four to eight years before confirmed menopause. During this time, your hormone levels begin to fluctuate, and periods become irregular. This is when you first start noticing symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, and mood swings. The ovaries gradually produce less estrogen, leading to the hormonal imbalance. In Ayurveda, this stage marks the beginning of increased Vata Dosha (the air and ether element).
   
   
2. Menopause: This is the specific point in time when you have gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This signifies that the reproductive phase is completely over. Even after this point, some physical and emotional symptoms (like vaginal dryness) might continue for a while.
   
   
3. Postmenopause: This is the rest of your life following menopause confirmation. While many acute symptoms lessen here, the continued low level of estrogen increases the risk for bone health issues (like osteoporosis) and heart conditions. Therefore, during this phase, a focus on calcium-rich foods, regular exercise, and Ayurvedic Rasayanas (rejuvenating herbs) is essential to maintain strength and vitality. Ayurveda focuses on nourishing the body and keeping the aggravated Vata Dosha controlled throughout postmenopause.

2. What are the Ayurvedic solutions for symptoms like hot flashes and weight gain during menopause?

Answer: Ayurvedic solutions are highly effective for these two prominent issues because they address the root cause—the imbalance of specific Doshas:

• Hot Flashes (Pitta Dosha): Hot flashes are a classic sign of aggravated Pitta Dosha (fire element), leading to excess heat and inflammation in the body.
  • The Ayurvedic Solution: You need to avoid sharp, spicy, fried, and sour foods, as well as red meat, which increase Pitta. Instead, focus on cooling and naturally sweet foods like cucumbers, fresh fruits (apples, pears), cow’s ghee, and buttermilk. Internally, cooling herbs are used, and external treatments like Shirodhara (oil stream over the forehead) and gentle Abhyanga (oil massage) are performed to calm the nervous system and soothe the excessive heat.
    
    
• Weight Gain (Kapha Dosha): Weight gain often happens because the drop in estrogen, combined with a naturally slowing metabolism, leads to an increase in Kapha Dosha (earth and water element), causing stagnation and heaviness.
  • The Ayurvedic Solution: The diet must be light, dry, and easy to digest. Drastically reduce salt and sugar intake, and eliminate vegetable ghee. Vigorous and regular exercise is crucial—walking alone is often not enough. Incorporate Yoga and Pranayama to generate internal heat, which helps improve digestion and metabolize accumulated Kapha Dosha, keeping your weight in check.

3. How exactly do Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatments help during menopause, and which are the most important?

Answer: Panchakarma therapies are pivotal during menopause because they effectively pacify the aggravated Vata Dosha—the primary factor responsible for dryness, pain, and instability during this phase.

The Benefit of Panchakarma: By eliminating accumulated toxins (visha) caused by hormonal fluctuations, Panchakarma helps the body naturally adapt to the changing environment. It doesn’t just treat symptoms; it nourishes the deeper tissues (Dhatus), restoring balance to the mind and body.

Key Panchakarma Treatments:

1. Basti (Medicated Enema): Considered the most supreme treatment for Vata Dosha, whose main site is the large intestine. Basti (using herbal oils or decoctions) significantly reduces bodily dryness, alleviates joint pain and insomnia, and corrects chronic constipation.
   
   
2. Snehana (Oil Application): This involves external oil massage (Abhyanga) which combats dryness of the skin, hair, and joints. Regular warm oil application is a simple, yet powerful, daily practice to keep Vata Dosha in check, strengthen the muscles, and soothe pain.
   
   
3. Shirodhara: This treatment is highly beneficial for mental and emotional symptoms like stress, anxiety, sleep issues, and mood swings. By gently and continuously pouring medicated oil over the forehead (the ‘third eye’ area), the nervous system is deeply calmed, leading to profound relaxation and restful sleep.

When these treatments are combined according to your individual constitution (Prakruti) by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner, they make the transition through menopause remarkably smooth and comfortable.