Babyhood - Childhood - Teenage - Middle age ...... Menopause
The number of ova (egg cells) that will be produced in a woman’s lifetime is fixed before her birth itself. The natural cessation of egg production in the ovaries is termed as Menopause. There will be a noted decline in the production of the hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone too, which brings about a few changes such as cessation or irregularity of periods leading to cessation finally.
Many women go through the transition with ease, but many other women may undergo this with an unwell feeling. Some changes experienced are hot flushes, libido variations, vaginal dryness (with or without itchiness), mood swings, joint pains and crepitus (due to osteoporosis), hair-fall, mental depression or anxiety and sometimes weight gain.
The age varies from 50, 45 or 40 years when she sees the menopause. Preparing the body by aligning the Aahara (Diet), Vihaara (Lifestyle) and Vichaara (Thinking) and undergoing certain specific Panchakarma (dosha balancing procedures) along with internal medications ensures a graceful and a seamless menopause.
Associated complaints noticed:
a) White discharge: for which internal medications are required or else a Panchakarma procedure called Yoni dhavana (vaginal douche) using a mixture of herbal decoctions can be done with the guidance of a qualified Ayurveda physician.
b) Excess bleeding: firstly the number of sanitary pads used is to be noted and internal medications need to be administered appropriately. In case the bleeding days exceed >15 days, then it is advised to take an Ultrasound scan to rule out any uterine fibroids or thickening of endometrium.
c) Joint pains: low back aches and knee joint pains are commonly seen. External application of medicated oils followed by a hot water bath would prove helpful.
d) Hot flushes: intake of Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus) syrup diluted with water, avoiding beverages on empty stomach, avoiding green chilli and fermented foods such as bread, biscuits, cheese, idli, dosa would reduce the intensity of the hot flushes.
e) Mood swings: Yogasanas (such as Baddha konasana, Trikonasana, Matsyasana), Dhyana, Pranayama (Naadi Shodhana 5-11 times slowly)
f) Marma Chikitsa: Indrabasti Marma and Sthapani Marma activation helps a lot in combating the pre-menopausal and menopausal symptoms
A girl advances from babyhood to childhood, then to teenage, adulthood and finally towards senility. The body goes through transformations from Kapha kaala (age of nourishment), which is the childhood; then enters the Pitta kaala (middle age) and then enters the Vaata kaala (cessation of certain functions).
Menopause is seen during the Vaata kaala, where the ovaries naturally withdraw from producing any more ova (egg cells). Along with the body, the mind too undergoes a series of transformations which leaves the woman more mature and stable. All we need to do is accept the pause, called menopause gracefully and thankfully.
è To consult online with Dr. Aruna Iyengar Rao (M.Sc biochem, BAMS), click on this : www.tinyurl.com/MeetDrAruna
For in-person consultations: drop in a mail at atharvani_ayur@yahoo.com
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