Ayurvedic Treatment for Menopause: Medicines, Healthcare & More

The transition a woman undergoes in her life is bewildering, and the impact that these changes create in her body and psyche is prodigious, yet indispensable. One such massive and natural transit a woman encounters is Menopause.

What is Menopause?

Menopause is a crucial period in any woman’s life, which is marked by a permanent cessation of menstrual cycle, and it is mostly seen to occur between the age of 45 to 55. It is a natural process which is affirmed by the medical professionals, after a period of absence of the cycle for a duration of almost a year is ascertained. It is an innate decline in the reproductive hormones of women that may bring relief from the monthly period, but also opens the door to an extensive list of physical and emotional issues.

The Etymology

The word is derived from the greek words ‘men’ (MONTH) and ‘pausis’ (PAUSE) and thus the word menopause literally brings out the meaning ‘ end of monthly cycles.’

Though menopause is specifically seen in human females, there are mentions of this process having been seen in certain animals, and that most of these animals do not have monthly menstrual cycles renders this a bizarre status. Short-finned pilot whales and killer whales being the only mammals other than humans to experience this phenomenon, some fish, birds and invertebrates are also seen to survive this intense phase.

There is yet another information that has been found in a recent review on primate species, which surmises that humans are the only primates that don't die within a few years of onset of this ‘reproductive atrophy’.

What Causes Menopause?

Menopause is a natural human process and not a health concern, or a disorder. Rather, it’s a natural and essential human process that visits most of the females around 40-45 years of age.

Age

Ranging from 45 to 55 on an average, a median age of 49 has been prevalently acclaimed as the age at which most women reach the phase when they experience their last menstrual period.

Premature ovarian failure (POF)

In women who have anomalies like autoimmune diseases, thyroid malfunctioning, diabetes mellitus, and in those who undergo chemotherapy, sometimes the luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are supposed to be seen on a rise, which is presumably a reason for commencement of early menopause.

Women who combat morbidities like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOD) and so on, resulting from a dysfunctional reproductive system, are also speculated to be prone to manifest pre onset of menopause.

Surgical menopause

Women in whom menopause does not occur naturally, but because of a surgical invasion such as by bilateral oophorectomy (removal of ovaries), and uterus removal, are said to undergo ‘surgical menopause’. The fluctuations in hormonal levels caused by the sudden stoppage of the menstrual period may cause agonizing withdrawal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats and concurrent vaginal dryness, insomnia and so on.

Perimenopause and Its Symptoms

The period of a woman’s life shortly before the manifestation of menopause when the body prepares her to confront menopause is the perimenopause, also called menopausal transition. Here are some menopause symptoms associated with perimenopause:

Dysfunctional or irregular menstrual bleeding

Spotting or genital bleeding associated with genital atrophy while the body undergoes transition is associated with this stage; whereas, any genital bleeding post menopause ought to be apprehended as alarming, and it needs urgent consideration in order to rule out potential malignancies.

Vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness can be seen in women during the perimenopausal and menopausal phase, because of a decrease in estrogen levels. This might lead to vaginal irritation, frequent UTIs, pain during sex or post-sex bleeding.

Also read: Urinary Tract Infections and Ayurveda: Treatment, Precautions, Management!

Emotional imbalance

Emotional turbulence that includes poor memory,anxiety, mood flickering, lack of concentration, depression, dwindling libido and more.

Cognitive impairment

Memory is also seen to be tampered with, in half proportion of the ladies undergoing transition, probably caused either by curtailed levels of estrogen in the brain, or deficient blood supply to the brain aligned with hot flashes.

Joint issues

Joint manifestations like osteopenia,osteoporosis are the quintessential risks associated with menopause.

Cardiovascular issues

The likelihood of acute myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases cannot be disregarded either. A healthy and active lifestyle could help in managing the risk factors that may precipitate these formidable anomalies.

Other symptoms

Miscellaneous symptoms include lethargy, backache, tenderness in breasts, soreness and rigidity of joints, palpitations, dizziness, dry and itchy skin, weight gain, urinary incontinence, erratic sleep patterns, night sweats and hot flushes.

Coping with the Menopause Symptoms and Treating Menopause Concerns

As you go through menopause, it is fairly common to feel down, and stressed at times. The fluctuating hormones can leave you confused and it is ok to seek help if you don't know how to calm down your chaotic hormonal levels. Along with a lot of support from the family and self care, here are some ways to deal with your menopause blues:

• Exercise: Regular exercise helps in weight management and also boosts the mood. It also reduces the chance of developing lifestyle diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc.
• Calcium and vitamin D supplement: The intake of food items rich in calcium and vitamin D that include dairy products like yogurt, cheese, curd, oily fish, cod liver; green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach can considerably reduce the risk of degenerative diseases affecting bone strength.
• Water and proper sleep: Consumption of enough water (7 to 10 glasses a day) can reduce dryness, aid in weight loss and prevent bloating.
• Protein rich meals: Protein rich food items like fish, egg, dairy products, nuts and legumes are preferable. These also contain vitamin K, which has substantial effects in curbing the symptoms of menopause.
• Consistent meal times: Inconsistent or erroneous diet practices can worsen the condition and hence these need to be kept under control.
• External application to counter dryness: Application of vaginal moisturizers and lubricants can help subside the symptoms of dryness inside the vagina.

Healthcare After Menopause

Menopause is a natural transition that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. After menopause, women may experience various health changes, which is why it's important to prioritize their health and wellness. Here are some tips for women to maintain good health after menopause:

1. Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and some types of cancer. Work-out regularly for at least 30 minutes. Exercises can include: brisk walking, or any other high intensity training.
2. Eat a balanced diet: A natural diet including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein will be nutritious and will help maintain bone health, heart health, and overall wellness.
3. Manage stress: Stress can have a negative impact on physical and emotional health. Try relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing to manage stress.
4. Get enough sleep: A healthy sleep cycle is important for overall health. Make sure to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep everyday.
5. Quit smoking: Smoking spikes up the risk of heart diseases, strokes, and numerous types of cancer. Quitting smoking can help improve overall health.
6. Get regular check-ups: Regular health screenings can help detect and prevent health problems. Women should have regular mammograms, pap smears, and bone density tests.

By following these tips, women can maintain good health after menopause and live their best lives. Consult a healthcare professional to discuss individual health needs and concerns.

Ayurvedic Remedies for Menopause

Panchakarma procedures like vasti (enema), virechana (purgation), and nasya (nasal instillation of medicated ghee) are useful in dwindling the symptoms of menopause. ‘Sapthasaram Kwath’ can help curb excessive bleeding.

Chandanasava helps with hot flashes and UTIs because of vaginal dryness. Other coolants like shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and chandana (Santalum album) also show proven effects in controlling the symptoms.

Asokarishtam is another formulation that helps reduce many menopausal symptoms.

Asokarishta (Arishtam)

Overall Women Reproductive Health

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Shathavarigulam is hailed as the natural HRT (Hormonal replacement therapy), as it helps women cope with mood swings, vaginal dryness and other hormonal fluctuations associated with menopause.

In case you are facing increased hair fall or hair thinning, Kerala Ayurveda Neelibhringadi keram, can be of immense help - not only does it improve hair strength, but it also helps maintain natural hair color.

Menovin Tablets for Night Sweat and Hot flashes in Menopause

Kerala Ayurveda Menovin tablets can help balance the hormonal fluctuations that cause most of the symptoms associated with perimenopause. It plays a conspicuous role in subsiding hot flashes and other symptoms related by sustaining the estrogen levels under control. In simpler words, Menovin acts as an Ayurvedic medicine for menopause. It is prepared with natural Ayurvedic herbs for menopause and is known to show positive results in women going through this phase.

Menovin Tablet

For Peri-Menopausal Symptoms

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The thought of menopause usually reminds us of all the unwelcoming signs - hot flashes, emotional turbulence, and so on, but menopause can also have many positive impacts- stay in the moment, focus on yourself and have an optimistic attitude; to make menopause a welcome change. As for your menopausal issues, supportive friends and family, and the right health supplements can help you embark on this major transition in a smooth manner. So let us celebrate menopause!