Menopause

Related to lifestyle and dietary habits

Menopause is a natural biological process, but the associated physical symptoms such as hot flashes and weight gain, and emotional symptoms such as mood swings can make life difficult. It feels like a disease but it’s not!

Menopause is a phase in women’s life cycle characterised by decline in female reproductive hormones when a woman stops production of ovum. This phase is seen in women from the age of early 40’s through to as late as 55 years in some.

The symptoms of menopause or complications of menopause are more often seen in women in the west which can be related to lifestyle and dietary habits.

Here are some of the symptoms of menopause:

• Irregular periods
• Hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Anxiety/ Depression
• Sleeplessness
• Dry skin/ nails/ hair
• Poor libido
• Mood swings

Menopause - a transition from a Pitta dominant to a Vata dominant phase of life

Ayurveda considers this biological transition as “Rajo Nivrutti”. During this phase, according to Ayurvedic principles, women transit from a Pitta dominant to a Vata dominant phase of life. But, needless to say, it’s not quite that simple - the two other doshas (Pitta and Kapha) are also involved.

Ayurveda provides holistic solutions to various health disorders. These treatments work on body and mind as well. Ayurvedic physicians work on balancing the aggravated Vata dosha, balancing hormones, improving the functions of Agni, and applying Panchakarma procedures to maintain the balance of the three doshas, and to bring about tranquility of mind.

Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma procedures such as Vamana, Virechan and Basti, along with supporting Ayurveda procedures such as Abhyanga, Swedana, Shirodhara, Patra pottali Swedana, Udvartanam, dependent on the symptoms experienced. There are also specific treatments like Yoni Pichu, Yoni prakshalana and Uttar basti that may be right for the patient.

In my current practice, located in an international tourist destination in India, my patients from many different parts of the world, unsatisfied with results from allopathic medicine, benefit from the holistic Ayurvedic approach that I advise, and often return to my practice with positive feedback. Here are some of the remedies that have given such good results, available at Ayurveda Family: Menodim, Shatavari, Bone Meal, Amycordial, Usha, Nisha which you can purchase on our online store www.ayurvedafamily.com.

By Dr. Sagar Vete