An Ayurveda Approach To Menopause

For many years, menopause was looked upon much like a disease; people demanded a cure for it or, at the very least, wanted something to magically make all the symptoms disappear. Studies determined that menopause occurred when the woman's body stopped producing eggs, signaling that she was done with her child-bearing years and that, with this change, the body began producing smaller and smaller amounts of the hormones that it needed. Because of this belief, the concept of Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT, was born. Its purpose was to basically 'maintain' the levels of hormones in a woman's body, therefore offering her some relief from pesky symptoms and the feel of growing old and undesirable in the eyes of society.

It wasn't until further studies revealed that the injections of hormones were increasing the risks of breast and other forms of cancer. Because of these findings, HRT was reconsidered. While it did relieve some of the symptoms, it rarely eliminated them and it was decided that, in most cases, hormone replacement treatments were more harmful than beneficial. Furthermore, new studies were revealing that menopause was simply another stage of life and that the body was acting towards it, as it should. In other words, there were far too many doctors administering hormone injections to their clients, when the treatments failed to do anything, save for complicating matters more.

Ayurveda is the science of long life; the oldest known health system in the world, it is believed to have been practiced in India for thousands of years. Promoting holistic medicine with focus on spirituality and balance, Ayurveda stresses that menopause is not an illness that needs treatment but, rather, it is a state of life that should be embraced, learned and traveled freely. As more and more people seek healthier alternatives, Ayurveda is gaining even more popularity now, in the United States. The Ayurveda approach is a mixture of herbalism and spiritualism, blending together and promoting inner reflection and meditation, rather than pharmaceutical products. In a time when many suddenly feel so lost and alone, it offers a breath of hope.

In addition to offering a holistic approach to menopause, Ayurveda also encompasses dietary needs and routine, promoting a strong and healthy lifestyle, full circle. Cooking with spices such as cinnamon, coriander and fennel are thought to help with some symptoms, as well as eating cooked leafy greens and small amounts of cumin seed, whereas hot and spicy foods are frowned upon.

One must also make an attempt to achieve balance through lifestyle. Just as one would not wear one sock to bed and leave the other off, so does Ayurveda encourage a well-balanced lifestyle to compliment the diet. Suggesting its followers wake no later than 6 a.m., the Vedic method of holistic medicine suggests morning massages with sesame oils, helping to relax and refresh the skin, while promoting good circulation. Frequent light meals are also promoted, at spaced times throughout the day, and it is recommended that everyone retires for the evening, no later than 10:00 p.m. This allows the body sufficient time to both rest and cleanse itself of any impurities. Combining routine with healthy living and a low-stress atmosphere has become quite popular, continuing to amass more and more followers.

While skeptics will always exist, the Ayurveda approach seems quite similar to what recent studies have been revealing; that eating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will keep menopausal inconveniences to a minimum. Diet and exercise are essential to the menopausal woman, as well as to everyone else in our world. That the Vedic approach has taken this and then woven it in with a mixture of spirituality and self-reflection is a brilliant concept.

Menopause is not a disease, nor is it an illness. It is another stage in the metamorphosis that is our existence, bringing new challenges, new adventures and new rewards. Through a mixture of healthy living, good diet, serene surroundings and inner peace and understanding, we are better able to cope with the stress around us and then shed it away. This enables us to open our eyes and truly see that menopause is simply another step forward on the grand adventure that is our life. Rather than worrying about it, or shunning those that have it, we should embrace it as a new and fascinating new stage of life.