Approaching the menopause from an Ayurvedic perspective

In Eastern tradition the menopause is celebrated as liberation from the monthly discomfort of hormonal shifting and bleeding, and viewed very much as a natural transition into a respected stage of wisdom and elderhood.

Sadly the same cannot be said in the West, where menopause is associated with loss of youth, desirability and fertility, and highlights our ageist society, to the extent that menopause has now become medicalised as women seek treatment to prolong their ‘youth’ – wanting same body, same mind, despite the internal changes trying to encourage a shift into another version of themselves.

Many have been taking the pill for much of their lives and don’t really know where they are at, so it can be a confusing time. So too for those who have had very little menstrual awareness thus far, and highlights perhaps the value in using menstrual awareness as a path to greater consciousness, as the menstrual cycle is something which can help us navigate our life as a woman  if we allow it.

There is fear in the West too, about potential vaginal dryness and osteoporosis, sadness too about the loss of youth and the impact on desirability and sexual intimacy. It doesn’t help that media often shares negative menopausal stories which merely compounds the situation.

Fortunately ,many are now beginning to reclaim the menopause in the West and recognise that it is not a disease but a natural phenomenon – after all, there is no way to reverse it or prevent it. The key to navigating the menopause then, is in the preparation, from our early 40s to help us cross the boundary easily without the need to treat symptoms.

There are three phases in the Western understanding of menopause – the peri-menopause which can start in the early 40s and may be identified  by slight changes in bleeding, through to the menopause, which means no period for 12 months and then post menopause when the 12 months has passed.

Essentially menopause is a journey from the spring of a woman’s life to autumn and levels of oestrogen and progesterone, two powerful female hormones, drop. From an Ayurvedic perspective, these hormones play a vital role in serving pitta and kapha functions in the body. Both of these hormones provide two subtle yet vital substances called ojas and tejas.

Ojas is a Sanskrit term signifying vital energy or essence of vitality. It is the very end product of nutrition in our body, after it passes through all the seven dhatus (tissues) and is considered the subtle, life-sustaining force that governs immunity, stability, nourishment, strength, and overall well-being. High ojas is associated with a radiant complexion, sharp senses, and robust health, while low ojas can lead to fatigue and a weakened immune system.

Thus, strong ojas gives strong immunity and offers us the ability to tolerate our external environment as well as changes to our internal ecosystem. Low ojas results in low tolerance to temperature changes and a difficulty in remaining at a comfortable temperature range, for example. A jolly woman with a fit body who seldomly falls sick and has a positive aura around her, is a perfect example of a person with optimum ojas.

Tejas, also a Sanskrit term, generally translates to sharpness, brilliance, radiance, or fire. It can also refer to a visible aura, spiritual fire, or the inner energy or vitality of a person. This is the subtle and refined form of pitta, our internal radiance, our body’s natural intelligence, which helps our body to sustain and function well. Tejas governs and regulates all the minute and major metabolic functions of the body, including digestion, absorption and assimilation.

Mentally, Tejas gives sharpness of mind, and gifts strength, confidence, courage and enthusiasm. When a person has optimum Tejas, she will have a glowing aura, a shiny lustre, a sharp mind and optimum digestion. However, when a woman has unbalanced tejas, she may look tired, lethargic, inactive, drained and mentally frustrated.

Strong tejas can be maintained and cultivated through good digestive fire (agni) – if agni is balanced, then Tejas stays balanced. It is understood that women who have gained a good amount of tejas will pass the menopausal transition comfortably, but if she hasn’t cultivated enough tejas, then she can start feeling imbalanced and experience various menopausal symptoms.

The sympathetic (stress response) and parasympathetic (rest and renew) systems work in opposition yet harmony. When the sympathetic nervous system is dominant, this raises cortisol, blood pressure and heart rate triggering the fight/flight response and causes an increase in pitta.

Low ojas (kapha) and tejas (pitta), combined with elevated and erratic vata can disrupt the nervous system’s equilibrium. This is not helped by the discontinuation of the monthly bloodletting (menstruation), which allows pitta to accumulate and cause persistent heat and imbalance.

This can cause digestive issues and may change eating habits with increased hunger and weight gain, or the opposite, a loss of appetite and weight loss, which can then disturb the intake of nutrients.

Excess vata can dry out the body and this can cause vaginal dryness, scanty periods during peri-menopause, loss of appetite, constipation and incomplete elimination.  There can be trouble concentrating or sleeping, and feelings of anxiety, worry and fear are heightened. Extreme dryness may contribute to osteoporosis and other degenerative conditions.

Excess pitta can trigger hot flushes and disturbed sleep, cause irritability, heavy bleeding during perimenopauise, skin conditions, anger, frustration, feelings of excess heat in the body, inflammations, auto-immune conditions, jealousy, criticism, competitiveness and cardiovascular issues in severe cases.

Excess kapha can cause weight gain, feeling sad, depressed, unmotivated, greedy, and/or an inability to concentrate due to dullness.

The general decrease in tejas, can disturb mental functions, impairing memory and concentration, leading to brain fog and indecisiveness, and increase susceptibility to auto immune and malignant conditions.

However, women who embrace the menopause and prepare themselves are less likely to experience these symptoms.

A woman can go through an internal process questioning her attractiveness, desirability and  vitality, which may lead her somewhere powerful. In theory the menopause offers an opportunity for a new beginning, a chance to realign with our values and priorities and let go of dead wood (relationships, jobs, behaviours, people) from our life.

It should be noted that there is no universal menopause experience. The greatest tool is awareness – viewing menopause not as something to dread, but as a rites of passage which allows us to understand, embrace and even welcome internal and external change so that there is no need to medicate.

Preparation is key – preventative power lays in our own hands, by establishing a good digestive fire, prioritising a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and quality sleep, so that we can significantly reduce the risk of disease and improve overall wellbeing. Our focus should be on balancing kapha and pitta.

We would do well to focus our diet on calcium rich foods with lots of green leady vegetables, nuts and seeds. Iron rich foods such as legumes, pulses, nuts, seeds, dates, raisins, spinach and fruits are also encouraged.

Remaining engaged in hobbies, passions and interests is helpful, sharing emotions, focusing on our spiritual evolution (self-realisation), meditation, Yoga Nidra, yoga, Reiki, all are essential.

It should be noted that during the menopausal period deep seated emotions can come out and we can feel very fragile. Past experiences and hurts can surface, so it is helpful to talk and share our emotions or journal. This can be a good time to seek energy healing/counselling/coaching and engage in singing (Vedic chanting) and dancing to help us express ourselves and move/release the stuck emotions/energy.

There are herbs which can help too such as Shatavari, which supports oestrogen and calms down the pitta;  this is rejuvenating, aphrodisiac and anti-aging. It can help to improve intelligence, relieve stress and anxiety and improve sleep.

Ashwaganda can help too; it is really nourishing and calming for the body and can help with fatigue, stress and mood fluctuations.

Pushyanuga can support heavy bleeding and progesterone deficiency.

There are various herbs such as Avipaththikara and Hingvashtak, Manimantha and Gut Buddy which can help improve gut immunity and balance digestive fire. Also herbs to help release and let go such as Dhathree and Triphala.

There are also herbs to prevent and treat UTI and dry vagina including chandraprabha and gokshuradi.

Coriander water is an absolute boon for those suffering hot flushes and pitta imbalance (soak 3 teaspoons of crushed coriander seeds in a glass of room temperature water and leave to soak overnight, drain in the morning and drink the water).

Head and body oil massage can also be really helpful.

For those who are interested in taking an Ayurvedic approach to menopause from both a prevention and symptomatic perspective, then please do reach out. I not only offer private Ayurvedic consultations to provide dietary, lifestyle and herbal recommendation specific to you and your needs, but I also now combine Ayurveda with Reiki, so that you can lie down and receive Reiki while we discuss your situation (this also allows me to have a good feel into your body/mind/energy complex). Please email me at emma@beinspiredby.co.uk to discuss what approach might work best for you.

 Love Emma x