Too often framed as a medical problem, menopause is seen in Ayurveda as a natural stage of life. By balancing shifting energies – or doshas – the tradition emphasises nourishment, rest and compassion rather than cure.
For many women, menopause is framed in medical terms: a problem to be treated, a phase to “get through”. Ayurveda, India’s ancient system of health, offers a gentler perspective. Here, menopause is not a disease but a natural transition – one marked by shifting energies, or ‘doshas’.
According to Ayurveda, menopause is dominated by a rise in ‘Vata’, the dosha governing movement and change. In balance, Vata fuels creativity and adaptability. Out of balance, it can manifest as anxiety, dryness, poor sleep or mood swings – symptoms familiar to many women in midlife.
Ayurveda views these changes holistically, refusing to separate body from mind. Physical discomforts such as hot flushes or dryness are seen as intertwined with emotional shifts like irritability or low mood. The ‘Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences’ notes that disturbances in dosha balance often reveal themselves simultaneously in both body and mind.
A tailored approach
Unlike standardised treatments, Ayurveda offers individualised guidance. Each woman’s ‘Prakriti’ – her unique constitution – is considered, along with her specific imbalances. Remedies might include Ashwagandha to ease anxiety, Brahmi to aid sleep, or coconut oil and aloe vera to relieve vaginal dryness.
Lifestyle changes play an equally central role. A regular sleep routine, grounding yoga practices, warm and nourishing meals, and gentle breathing exercises are all recommended to counter Vata’s restlessness. Spices such as turmeric, cumin and ginger are used to support digestion and metabolism, which often slow during this stage of life.
Ritual and renewal
Ayurveda also prescribes therapies designed to restore deeper balance. Abhyanga (oil massage) and Swedana (steam therapy) are thought to nourish tissues and release tension. Shirodhara – the rhythmic pouring of warm oil across the forehead – is used to calm the mind and ease insomnia. More intensive Panchakarma cleansing therapies are offered in Ayurvedic retreats as a way of “resetting” the system.
A reframing of midlife
Critics point out that scientific evidence for many Ayurvedic practices remains limited. Yet for women seeking more than symptom management, the philosophy itself can be liberating. Menopause, in this view, is not a failing body but a new life chapter – one that can be entered with balance, nourishment and care.
As more women explore integrative approaches, Ayurveda’s message is simple and resonant: menopause is not a battle to be fought, but a transition to be supported.
Menopause is not a failing body but a new life chapter – one that can be entered with balance, nourishment and care.
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