Menopause
- Menopause which means the cessation of menstruation is regarded as a transition phase in Ayurveda, a natural life process rather than a disease. It is a very important phase in a woman’s life that comes with varied experiences affecting her health in general. Therefore, adapting the Ayurvedic approach in dealing with this stage can help make it less difficult and troublesome.
- When a woman enters into menopause, she is transitioning from a Pitta dominant phase of her life to a Vata dominant phase. Therefore, following a Vata Pitta balancing diet and lifestyle is an effective way to sail through it. In an ideal healthy state this transition would be just fine, however when things go wrong both Vata and Pitta go awry and lead to associated health concerns such as hot flashes and night sweats, anger, irritability, mood swings, insomnia, vaginal dryness, bone density loss even leading to osteoporosis, weight gain, depression, loss of libido and many more.
- Follow a Vata-Pitta pacifying diet which includes warm, light, cooked foods. They should be unctuous and nourishing with healthy fats like ghee, avocado, sesame flaxseed, skimmed milk, etc.
- Diet rich in calcium like green leafy vegetables, ragi, sesame seeds, melon seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, and iron-like beans, lentils, dates, walnuts, raisins, prunes, etc. are recommended.
- Avoid dry, raw, cold, fermented, and refined foods. Spicy, excessively salty and sour foods should also be avoided.
- Avoid stimulants like alcohol, caffeine and smoking. Avoid junk foods and carbonated drinks.
- Maintaining good hydration is also recommended. Drink an adequate amount of water and fluids, including coconut water, pomegranate juice, fennel infusion, mint tea, rose infusion, and fresh lime water.
- Including spices like turmeric, nutmeg, ginger, cumin, fennel, and liquorice in the diet is recommended.
- Abhyanga or daily massage with oils like Dhanwantharam, Maha Narayan, or Ksheerbala taila is recommended. Helps with management of pain, calcium depletion leading to osteoporosis, anxiety, nervousness, and sleep concerns.
- Mild to moderate exercises, Yoga, pranayama especially sheetali, and nadi shodhan pranayama which is good to calm Pitta associated hot flashes, and walking are advised. Calming meditative practices are recommended to relax the nervous system to help regularize sleep, combat anxiety, irritability, mood swings ,and nervousness. Losing weight, if one is overweight is also advisable.
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