According to Ayurveda menopause is a natural transition, which every woman experiences in her life. It is the ending of a woman’s monthly menstrual periods and ovulation. It also signals other changes to the body and mind, brought on in part because the body begins producing lesser amounts of the hormones estrogen and progesterone (among others). Menopause is not a disease. It is a natural process in a woman’s life. Menopause is a natural hormone (estrogen) deficient state that occurs at the age of 45-55 years. Ayurveda associates menopause with aging. Aging is a ‘Vata’ predominant stage of life. Thus, the symptoms of menopause experienced by some women are similar to the symptoms seen when the Vata dosha rises and upsets the normal balance of the body. There are different types of menopause. They are as follows :
Vata dominated menopause
Pitta dominated menopause
Kapha dominated menopause
Each type has different symptoms like the Vata-type menopausal symptoms tend to include depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Menopause may also manifest itself as a rise in the other two humors also. Women with Pitta-type symptoms are often angry and suffer hot flashes. Kapha type symptoms include listlessness, weight gain, and feelings of mental and physical heaviness. The type of treatment depends upon the dosha in which the woman’s menopausal symptoms are manifesting. Most of the women are unaware of the right kind of treatment, diet, nutritional supplements, and exercise, which should be done during this period. With proper guidance and simple lifestyle changes they can easily avoid most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause to a great extent. Various Ayurvedic herbs can be used during the period to strengthen and rejuvenate the female reproductive system along with herbs to regulate the hormones and calm the emotions. Many herbs, which rejuvenate and tone the female reproductive system, are also helpful Aloe gel, Shatavari, Saffron, Kapikacchu, Ashwagandha, taken in milk decoctions, if possible, or in their different preparations like Shatavari compound. Aloe gel is specific for maintaining the youthfulness of the female reproductive organs. Chyavanprash is useful here for its general rejuvenating effect.
Some of the common symptoms of menopause are as follows :
Anemia, Weakness
Feeling of intense heat in your body on some occasions
Profuse sweating at night
Excessive falling of hair
Irregular menstrual periods with excessive or scanty bleeding
Burning and increased frequency of micturation
Vaginal dryness and itching
Joint pain
Oedema
Irritable nature
Sleeplessness Lassitude