Abstract

AYURVEDA AS AN AID TO MENOPAUSAL PROBLEMS

Dr. Neha Singh*, Dr. Medha Paithankar, Dr. Deshmukh J. S.

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Abstract

Ageing is an inevitable process. Every individual goes through three phases namely childhood, adulthood and old age or bala, madhya and vriddha avastha during their lifespan. As per our classical texts, these phases are dominated by Kapha, Pitta and Vata dosha respectively. Vriddhavastha, dominated by vata dosha is more challenging for the women as it marks the rajonivrutti kala i.e. the menopausal period in a woman‟s life. Menopause is one of the most important physical milestones in a woman‟s life which indicates the end of her menstrual period and ovulation. As per modern science, decline in the hormone levels mainly oestrogen is responsible for a variety of disturbing symptoms during menopause. The loss of ovarian follicular activity is biologically exhibited as decline in fertility and clinically by a variation in the length of menstrual cycle and experience of various associated symptoms. At first, in the western countries menopause was considered as a disease or a crisis in a woman‟s life and Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) was considered to be the only successful treatment option available. But rather than a disease, Ayurveda mentions rajonivrutti as a natural physiological process which affects all women universally. Ayurveda provides complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being by adopting some preventive and promotive approaches during menopause. With this holistic treatment approach, ayurveda provides better and safer alternatives to hormonal therapy. A detailed description of menopause and the available ayurvedic alternatives are elaborated in this paper.

Keywords: Rajonivrutti, Menopause, Dosha, Dhatukshaya, Rasayana, panchakarma.