1. The definition of menopause is still a matter of
debate
among scientific fraternity. Technically, natural
menopause
can be explained as ‘the transition between
perimenopause
(approaching menopause) and post-
menopause (after
menopause), the entire period ending with the
cessation of
the menses, generally around the age of 50
years for most
women. Phase prior to menopause, when
ovarian hormone
production starts declining and fluctuating, is
referred to as
perimenopause and causes a variety of
symptoms.
Based of different medical opinions,
perimenopause can
last for 1 to 4 years or even as long as 5 to 15
years just
before actual menopause. Reportedly, a
majority of women
experience more symptoms during
perimenopause rather
than after menopause. However, the
symptoms can often be

2. overlooked or ignored as these mostly occur
during 35 to
45 years of age.
Following are the most common symptoms of
perimenopause and menopause as experienced
and reported
by women:
• Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold
flashes,
clamminess
• Irregular heartbeat
• Irritability
• Mood swings, sudden tears
• Trouble sleeping through the night (with or
without night
sweats)
• Irregular periods, shorter, lighter periods,
heavier periods,
flooding, phantom periods, shorter cycles,
longer cycles
• Loss of libido
• Dry vagina
• Crashing fatigue
• Anxiety, feeling ill at ease
• Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom
• Difficulty concentrating, disorientation,
mental confusion
• Disturbing memory lapses

3. • Incontinence, especially upon sneezing,
laughing; urge
incontinence
• Itchy, crawly skin
• Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons
• Increased tension in muscles
• Breast tenderness
• Headaches--increasing or decreasing
• Gastrointestinal distress, indigestion,
flatulence, gas pain,
nausea
• Sudden bouts of bloating
• Depression
• Exacerbation of existing conditions
• Increase in allergies
• Weight gain
• Hair loss or thinning on head, pubic area, or
whole body;
increase in facial hair
• Dizziness, light-headedness, episodes of loss
of balance
• Changes in body odor
• Electric shock sensation under the skin and in
the head
• Tingling in the extremities
• Gum problems, increased bleeding
• Burning tongue, burning roof of mouth, bad
taste in
mouth, change in breath odor

4. • Osteoporosis (after several years)
• Changes in fingernails: softer, cracking or
breaking easily
• Tinnitus: ringing in ears, bells, whooshing,
buzzing
sounds
Ayurvedic Management
It has been documented that all the above
symptoms
respond to traditional treatments like Ayurveda
and other
alternative treatments.
According to the ancient life science of
Ayurveda, the
problem or symptoms of menopause are
categorized under
disorders due to vitiation of Vata and Pitta
dosha. Thus, the
problem of menopausal syndrome can be a
Vata-Pittaj
disorder. Ayurveda recommends three-fold
holistic
approach through diet, lifestyle and medication
to treat the
disturbing symptoms. Diet and medication as
per Ayurveda
can be considered as supplements to offer
relief from

5. varied symptoms. Following are some general
suggestions
on the same:
Diet:
Prefer:
• Soy based food items
• Whole grains
• Fresh, colorful seasonal fruits and vegetables
as salad
servings 3-5 times a day
• Healthy nuts like walnut and almonds
• Sufficient dairy products- skimmed milk,
yogurt, butter
milk, cheese
• Green tea 3-4 times a day
• Cardamom, sweet fennel for chewing as
these help to
calm down Vata-Pitta
Avoid:
• Excess coffee, tea
• Carbonated drinks, alcohol
• Fast food
• Fried, spicy, sour and irritant recipes
• Ginger, black pepper
• Black gram (Urd daal), colocasia, cauliflower,
red meat
Medicines:
As described above, in case of menopausal
symptoms,

6. Ayurveda medicines are in general aimed at
pacifying the
dual dosha vitiation, i.e. Vata and Pitta, along
with those
that help to calm down mental or psychic
aspects of the
problem.
Following are some examples of single
Ayurveda herbs
that can offer desired benefits:
• Asparagus root
• Winter cherry root
• Water chestnut
• Black nightshade
• Spreading hogweed
• Indian sarsaparilla
• Indian gooseberry
• Cumin seeds
• Sandalwood
• Ashoka plant (Saraca indica)
• Aloe vera
• Bind weed
• Ash gourd
• Gotu kola
• Bacopa
• Himalayan spikenard
• Staff tree seed oil
• Licorice
• Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi)

7. Apart from single herbal medicines, some very
useful
classical compound (herbal/mineral/herbal-
mineral)
medicines are also prescribed by Ayurveda
experts. Below
are a few important medicines:
• Shatavaryadi churna
• Praval pishti
• Kamdudha Ras
• Sarivadyasav
• Ashokarishta
• Lodhrasav
• Dashmoola kashaya
• Dashmoolarishta
• Sahnkha bhasma
• Sutashekhara ras
• Brahmi vati
• Brihat vat chintamani ras
• Vatkulantaka rasa
• Sarasvatarishta
• Balarishta
• Himanshu taila (for local application on scalp)
• Punarnava mandoora
• Praval panchamrita
• Yogendra rasa
However, it is highly recommended that a
woman

8. experiencing any of the menopausal
symptoms, especially
during 35-55 years of age, must seek personal
consultation
with a qualified Ayurveda doctor for a
individual-specific
advice to ensure proper benefits as self
medication, even of
Ayurveda herbs or medicines, can elicit
adverse effects.