Women are an important element of our Society. The health of families and communities are tied to the health of women. The slogan “Healthy Women, Healthy World” highlights the fact that as care takers of family health, women play a critical role in maintaining the health and wellbeing of the communities. Women have to undergo series of transition from birth to death in the form of menarche, child birth, menopause etc. One such important transition in the women’s life is menopause.
Menopause literally means cessation of the monthly menstrual cycle. It marks the end of the female fertility. It is clinically diagnosed when the women had not attained the periods for 12 consecutive months.
Peri-menopause is the period 3 to 5 years before attainment of menopause. During this phase a women undergo serious of physical and mental changes. During this phase there is a significant fall in the levels of estrogen (a female hormone). The common problems experienced during this phase are enlisted below:-
- Low fertility
- Vaginal dryness
- Vaginal atropy
- Dyspareunia (pain during sex)
- Hot flashes (Sudden sensation of heat in upper body)
- Palpitations (Sudden increase in heart rate, irregular heart beat)
- Night sweats(hot flashes experienced during night)
- Disturbed sleep
- Emotional changes like depression
- Urinary problems
- Hair loss and thinning
- Sagging of breast etc.
Menopause is a crucial period during which women need a lot of support. Speaking according to Ayurveda it is a period where women undergo transition from Pitta to Vata. Ayurvedic care of Menopause focuses on strengthening and rejuvenating the reproductive system.
The symptoms seen during are the symptoms building in the body since long time. If a woman follows a healthy lifestyle and diet throughout her life then she may end with graceful menopause with no signs and symptoms of few signs and symptoms. According to Ayurveda the health problems at menopause represent imbalances in the body that were already growing in the body and are unmasked by the stress of shifting hormones. Menopause symptoms are Nature’s wake-up call to let you know you need to start paying more attention to your health.
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF MENOPAUSE
Ayurveda has principles which can help in attaining graceful menopause. The following principles can be followed to attain smooth menopause.
Balanced diet
Balanced diet is always a key to health of body and mind. This plays important role in balancing the deranged hormones before and after menopause. Balanced diet helps in maintaining normalcy of Doshas and Agni. Women with balanced doshas and balanced Agni have a far easier time during menopause, as their body’s intelligence is more capable of facilitating a smooth and gradual change in hormone levels.
The bitter taste in Ayurveda has a myriad of health benefits. The food articles with Tikta rasa (bitter taste) are good dietary sources. Green leafy vegetables are good sources of Tikta (bitter) rasa. Hence these are to be regularly incorporated in diet.
Herbs and foods which taste bitter reduce Pitta and Kapha. They tend to dry moistness and fat contents of tissues. Hence increased consumption of bitter foods and herbs reduce body fat, can cause constipation and dryness of skin. Tikta (Bitter) foods help in preventing the weight gain and also help in losing weight.
Examples of bitter foods are Karela, Methi, Turmeric, Spinach, Moringa leaves, coffee, aloe, dandelion, rhubarb, neem leaves, lettuce, bitter greens & spices.
The other taste which is advantageous is Kashaya rasa or Astringent. The foods and herbs which have Kashaya rasa reduce Kapha and Pitta. When this is administered moderately and properly, it helps in drying up the secretions in body there by aiding weight loss. It helps in calming.
Examples of astringent foods are lentils, tea, broccoli beans, cabbage, cauliflower etc.
Excessive intake of salty, sour and pungent foods is contraindicated during perimenopausal and post-menopausal period. Consuming foods that can provide phyto-estrogen like melons, legumes, licorice etc. are advisable during this period.
Balancing Dosha’s
Panchakarma treatments like Shirodhara, Abhyanga, Basti’s (enema therapy), etc. helps in balancing the dosha’s. These therapies help in cooling, calming and relaxing the mind and body.
Abhyangam (Massage) followed by light swedana (steam) will pacify Vata and aid circulation through the channels. Abhyangam with coolant oil helps in bringing down hot flushes.
Shirodhara will help to pacify aggravated Vata in the mind, reduce anxiety, alleviate headaches, balance hormones and settle mood swings. Hrud basti and Dhara will also help to improve circulation, pacify Vata and balance emotions. Importantly, Panchakarma treatments also provide an opportunity for women to rest and spoil themselves – to feel deeply cared for and nourished.
Basti treatments (enema therapy) helps in coping with vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy, dyspareunia etc.
HERBAL REMEDIES FOR MENOPAUSE
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre offers best quality herbal remedies (Menopause Care Kit) for ayurvedic treatment of Menopause.
Products Details
- Stri-Poshak Syrup – 400ml
- Stri-Poshak Capsules – 120 capsules
- Rajahpravartani Vati – 120 tablets
- Ashwagandha Avaleha – 200gm
Usage / Dosage
- Stri-Poshak Syrup – 2 teaspoon twice daily.
- Stri-Poshak Capsules – 2 capsules twice daily.
- Rajahpravartani Vati – 2 tablets twice daily.
- Ashwagandha Avaleha – 1 teaspoon twice daily.
