Graceful Menopause With The Help Of Ayurveda

by: Dr. Sushama Patwardhan

Menopause is a unique experience for every woman. It is the ending of a woman’s monthly menstrual periods and ovulation. It also signals other changes to the body and mind, brought on in part because the body begins producing lesser amounts of the hormones estrogen and progesterone (among others).

Menopause is not a disease. It is a natural process in a woman’s life. How a woman views this time of her life can have a lot to do with how frequent and severe her symptoms are. If menopause is viewed as the end of youth and sexuality, this time will be much more difficult than if it is viewed as the next, natural phase of life, a time of greater freedom, liberation from the restrictions of youth. .

Although menopause is one of the important physical milestones in a woman’s life, many women lack concrete information about what is taking place and what are their options. With a proper diet, nutritional supplements, and exercise and simple lifestyle changes, most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause can be minimized to a great extent and with this knowledge and preparation you can step forward with grace and embrace it!

Ayurveda links menopause with aging. Aging is a Vata predominant stage of life. Thus, the symptoms of menopause experienced by some women are similar to the symptoms seen when the Vata dosha rises and upsets the normal balance of the body. Vata-type menopausal symptoms tend to include depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Menopause may also manifest itself as a rise in the other two humors also. Women with Pitta-type symptoms are often angry and suffer hot flashes. Kapha type symptoms include listlessness, weight gain, and feelings of mental and physical heaviness.

The type of treatment depends upon the dosha in which the woman’s menopausal symptoms are manifesting.

Here it is important to note that health problems at menopause represent imbalances in the body that were already growing in the body and are unmasked by the stress of shifting hormones. Menopause symptoms are Nature’s wake-up call to let you know you need to start paying more attention to your health. Taking proper steps in the direction of balancing the imbalance doshas, paying attention to your diet and making lifestyle changes now is critical to ensuring that you age gracefully without the burden of chronic health problems.

Vata-type menopause

Symptoms Nervousness, anxiety, panic, mood swings, vaginal dryness, loss of skin tone, feeling cold, irregular periods, insomnia, mild or variable hot flashes, constipation, palpitations, bloating and joints aches and pains.

Treatment:

Diet - Increase warm food and drinks, regular meals, and use spices such as fennel and cumin. Decrease caffeine and other stimulants, refined sugar, cold drinks, salads.

Lifestyle - Early bedtime, oil massage using almond and olive oil, meditation, yoga, Regular exercise like walking

Anti-Vata herbs include ashwagandha, arjuna, astragalus, cardamom, comfrey root, garlic, ginseng, guggul, hawthorn berries, licorice, myrrh, rehmannia, sandalwood and zizphus.

Pitta-type menopause

Symptoms - Prone to Hot Temper, anger, irritability, feeling hot, hot flashes, night sweats, heavy periods, excessive bleeding, urinary tract infections, skin rashes and acne.

Treatment:

Diet - Increase cooling foods, water intake, sweet juicy fruits (grapes, pears, plums, mango, melons, apples,) zucchini, yellow squash, cucumber, organic foods. Use spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and fennel. Avoid hot spicy foods, hot drinks and alcohol. no eating late at night.

Lifestyle - Go to bed before 10 PM , oil massage using coconut and sesame oil. Use Meditation and other techniques to reduce anger, hatred and resentment. Exercise and exposure to the sun are limited.

Anti Pitta herbs to be used include aloe vera, arjuna, barberry, golden seal, gotu kola, saffron, sandalwood and shatavari.

Kapha-type menopause

Symptoms - Weight Gain , sluggishness, lethargy, fluid retention, yeast infections, lazy, depressed, lacking motivation, slow digestion.

Treatment:

Diet Prefer light, dry and warm food, Consume fruits, whole grains, legumes, vegetables. Use spices such as black pepper, turmeric and ginger. Avoid meat, cheese, sugar, cold foods and drinks. Weekly fasting is helpful. Most or all of the daily food should be consumed before 6 p.m.

Lifestyle - Get up early (by 6AM). Mustard oil and linseed oil are often recommended for massage.

Anti Kapha Herbs include bayberry, cayenne, cinnamon, guggul, motherwort ,mustard and myrrh.

Key factors in achieving graceful menopause

A smooth menopause transition and great health in the years to come can be achieved with the help of -

Balancing Doshas - Ascertain the imbalance dosha according to your symptoms and follow the advice given above to balance that dosha.

Balancing Diet - Diet plays a key role in balancing hormones during and after menopause. It is well known that Japanese women rarely experience hot flashes, probably because their diet contains large amounts of soy/soya, a food rich in certain plant estrogens called “isoflavones.” Soya products are not the only source of plant estrogens, however. Another equally healthful source of phytoestrogens are “lignans,” compounds found in a variety of whole foods including grains and cereals, dried beans and lentils, flaxseed, sunflower seeds and peanuts, vegetables such as asparagus, sweet potatoes, carrots, garlic and broccoli and fruits such as pears, plums and strawberries. Common herbs and spices such as thyme oregano, nutmeg, turmeric and licorice also have estrogenic properties.

Eat a varied diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dried beans .Its a rich source of phytoestrogen. Variety and moderation are important because just as too much estrogen is unhealthy after menopause, too much phytoestrogen may also be dangerous.

Apana Vata, which governs the genito-urinary tract, elimination, and menstruation, is a key area to attend to when preparing for menopause. Drink plenty of warm water throughout the day. Eat plenty of cooked, leafy greens, as this helps elimination and is also a good source of calcium. For both Pitta and Vata imbalances, a breakfast of cooked apples and prunes and figs is a good way to start the day, as it balances the doshas and cleanses the digestive track.

Panchakarma - More serious symptoms, such as frequent hot flashes, continual sleep disturbance, and moderate to severe mood swings, are signs of deeper imbalances.

Ayurveda describes that these stubborn symptoms are usually due to the buildup of wastes and toxins, referred to as “ama,” in the body’s tissues.

In this case, a traditional Ayurvedic detoxification program “panchakarma,” may be needed to clear the body’s channels and gain relief. This internal cleansing approach is also the treatment of choice for more serious problems such as osteoporosis and high cholesterol.

About The Author

Dr. Mrs. Sushama Patwardhan, is a graduate in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery [B.A.M.S] [Ayurvedacharya] Working as Ayurvedic Consultant at Sangli,INDIA for last 23 years. Working as a ‘associate editor’ for the website “http://ayurveda-foryou.com” http://ayurveda-foryou.com for past 3 years.

editor@ayurveda-foryou.com

by: Dr. Loretta Lanphier ND, CN, HHP

Menopause is a natural transition all women experience, as natural as adolescence. For your grandmother and great-grandmother, life expectancy was shorter. Reaching menopause often meant that their life was nearing an end. But this is no longer true. Today women are living longeron average, until age 78. How you experience menopause is determined by many factors: attitude, diet, overall health, genetics, and your cultural group. Medical science views menopause as the state of your body after you had completed one full year without having a period. It is most definitely not a disease! By making wise decisions about your menopause and healthy lifestyle, you can make the most of the 20, 30, or more years afterwards!

Attitude

Many women report that they are glad to no longer have their monthly periods and all of the hormonal or just physical issues that accompanied their periods. They feel a freedom from having to be concerned about pregnancy and birth control. There is a sense of more energy, and a sense of freedom that comes without the biological drive to be mother, helper, and nurturer. Many women turn their attention to those things in life they have put aside. Some start new careers or businesses. Others take up creative pursuits like photography or painting, while others travel to places they have wanted to see. These women have a positive attitude.

Those women who dread menopause, see it as unnatural, or a sign of old age (and we all get old dont we!), have more problems enjoying the transition during perimenopause. They report more symptom issues. Negative attitudes result in negative experiences.

Wake-up Call

Everything is magnified, starting in your perimenopause, then continuing on as you make the transition into menopause. Issues you have not reconciled as a woman will surface for you to deal with. Perhaps long overdue lifestyle changes need to be made. Your body is very smart and it will start to purge any stuffed emotions. This means the body does not want to carry these negative thought patterns or habits inside anymore. If you have experienced trauma or hurtful experiencesthe ones unresolved–they will come up. You will remember incidents you ignored or just could not deal with at the time. Maybe you did not have a safe space to work on them. This is the opportunity to let them go. If you understand this purge and welcome it, you will experience an easier transition.

Health issues that have been neglected will also wake-up. Be sure you get thorough check-ups and tests during this time, including dental, vision, heart health, as well as hormones. Health issues are serious to me. I have walked the path of being unhealthy and the path of health. I very definitely choose being healthy. We can implement preventative health. Diet, exercise, clean water, stress management, healthy environment, and no synthetic drugs go a long way in creating and keeping a healthy body.

Spiritual Awakening

You may find that the changes you are making lead you to an awakening spiritually. This happens to many women who welcome this growth. Seek out your local church, take classes in meditation, discover new spiritual thought, or a renewed connection with God. You are a spirit with a body. Approaching your spiritual wellness includes making choices that take care of yourself physically and emotionally.

Proactive Steps

Although menopause is one of the important physical milestones in a woman’s life, many women lack concrete information about what is taking place, and what are the options. It is your right to know your body and be informed. With a proper attitude, diet, nutritional supplements, exercise, and simple lifestyle changes, most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause can be minimized to a great extent. With this knowledge and preparation you can step forward with grace and embrace it!

To make menopause fun and pleasant:

* Make choices to eliminate/reduce stress.

* Create a sanctuary space for yourself where you can meditate, write, draw, or anything that expresses your thoughts and emotions.

* Find an exercise you like and stick with it.

* Evaluate diet and reduce weight, if you have gained pounds over the years.

* Become selfish with your time for yourself. Do more things for you and evaluate care-giving roles.

* Get enough rest and sleep.

* Develop an outside interest or hobby.
* Have joy and fun in your life. If this means making new friends, go do it. You can find out more about progesterone in my eBook, Balancing Your Hormones Without DrugsYou Can Feel Good Again and in the articles posted on this Web site. For a free subscription to the worldwide e-newlsetter, Advanced Health & Wellness visit us at “http://www.oasisadvancedwellness.com” www.oasisadvancedwellness.com and “http://www.oasisserene.com” www.oasisserene.com . If you havent gone through menopause yet, youll want to have an easy adjustment to your bodys changes. Begin to educate yourself about the symptoms and their causes before, or during, perimenopause–the time when you begin to experience symptoms. Be sure to check out all the articles at our Menopause-PMS-Progesterone Resource Center: “http://www.menopause-pms-progesterone.org” www.menopause-pms-progesterone.org and “http://www.oasisserene.com” www.oasisserene.com .

About The Author

Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP is a Doctor of Naturopath, Clinical Nutritionist and Holistic Health Practitioner in the Houston, TX area and Founder / CEO of Oasis Advanced Wellness. A teacher, educator and seminar speaker, she counsels Oasis Advanced Wellness clients on the aspects of getting the body healthy and keeping the body healthy. As a cancer survivor, she is able to relate extensively, both as a patient and a practitioner, to clients suffering from disease. She is also involved in researching new alternative disease treatments and products. Dr. Lanphier is Editor and contributor to the worldwide E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness. To receive a free subscription go to: “http://www.oasisadvancedwellness.com” www.oasisadvancedwellness.com . Be sure and visit our hormonal balancing site at “http://www.menopause-pms-progesterone.org” www.menopause-pms-progesterone.org and “http://www.oasisserene.com” www.oasisserene.com .

staff@oasisadvancedwellness.com

Promensil Natural relief from Menopause Symptoms

Promensil provides natural relief from the menopause symptoms such as night sweats and hot flushes. Promensil also maintains general well-being and bone health at this important stage of a woman’s life. Promensil has been the subject of medical tests worldwide which show its ability to relieve menopausal symptoms.

Promensil tablets are derived from red clover, a legume which contains isoflavones beneficial to human health. It is also used as dietary supplement. As a dietary supplement, Promensil provides you by means of natural isoflavones which are effective within relieving menopause disorders, such as hot flushes, as well as maintaining well being in addition to quality of life.

It has been researched has that the reason menopausal symptoms is due to differences within diet, in addition to specifically within the low intake of isoflavones phytoestrogens within the Western diet.

Falling estrogen levels during menopause bring physical changes requiring lifestyle adjustments that can be debilitating for some women. With increasing age in addition to declining estrogen production, isoflavones become increasingly important, taking over the role of the body’s estrogen.

This is where the unique combination of isoflavones within Promensil helps the women. Promensil assists women by the supplementation of isoflavones to help in managing the symptoms of menopause naturally.

Advantages of Promensil

Natural relief from Menopause Symptoms Helpful in maintaining bone health after hot flushes

Promensil Cautions

Promensil is not recommended for use during pregnancy or lactation. It is not recommended for use by children. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional.

Written By Chris “http://www.herbsmd.com/sp/xq/asp/store.nov/qx/default.htm” Promensil Natural relief from Menopause Symptoms

For more details or any query go to: “http://www.herbsmd.com/sp/xq/asp/store.nov/qx/default.htm” http://www.herbsmd.com/sp/xq/asp/store.nov/qx/default.htm -
Are there signs and symptoms of menopause? Absolutely! It is a logical question to ask with millions of women experiencing one or more of the signs and symptoms of menopause at this very moment! The so-called ‘change’ will happen, but experiencing many of the symptoms of menopause as early as ages 30’s or 40’s is not normal. Some of the signs listed below are subtle and may appear to have little relationship to being menopause symptoms. Here is a list of common signs and symptoms of menopause: 1 - Allergy symptoms 2 - Chronic fatigue and morning sluggishness 3 - Craving sweets, caffeine and carbohydrates with unstable blood sugar levels 4 - Depression, anxiety and mood swings 5 - Endometriosis 6 - Facial hair growth 7 - Hair loss, thinning hair 8 - Low metabolism 9 - Symptoms of low thyroid with normal T3 and T4 levels 10 - Urinary tract and yeast infections 11 - Uterine fibroids 12 - Water retention, unexplained weight gain especially in hips, waist and stomach Menopause is not a disease, rather, menopause is a normal natural process for a woman whereby there will be a slowing and eventually a shutdown of the reproductive system. However, the problem is that many of the signs and symptoms of menopause indicate hormonal imbalance exists and there can have been damage to the body from eating poorly, stress and obesity. With the average age of menopause being about 51 in the USA, many women in the USA and industrialized countries experience one or more of these signs and symptoms of menopause many years earlier. In the normal menstrual cycle, estrogen is the main hormone produced for the first 10-12 days following the previous menstrual flow. If ovulation occurs, the female body then produces progesterone which continues for the next 12 days or so. If there is no pregnancy, progesterone and estrogen levels both drop at around day 28 and menstruation begins. However, if there is no ovulation, progesterone will not be produced that month. This event is called an annovulatory cycle and is a typical occurrence today for women in their 30’s and 40’s. The result is that the woman then has an excess of estrogen and a deficiency of the vital hormone progesterone. Many women in their 30’s and 40’s are actually having fewer ovulations, creating hormone imbalance and the signs and symptoms of menopause. And when ovulation ceases at menopause, progesterone levels fall to nearly zero. At the same time, estrogen is still being produced at perhaps 50% of the premenopause levels, again leading to hormone imbalance and the resulting signs and symptoms of menopause. If the woman has had a hysterectomy, surgical menopause means the woman no longer ovulates and produces progesterone. Besides the signs and symptoms of menopause caused by missed ovulations or hysterectomy, excess estrogen is obtained every day from other sources. Examples are birth control pills, household chemicals and pesticides, foods that have been sprayed and construction materials. How can a woman tell if the signs and symptoms of menopause are hormone imbalance related? One way is to take an online test for hormone health and related symptoms. The health test is used daily in a leading women’s health clinic, it takes just a few minutes online and it’s free. Learn as much as you can about natural progesterone and estrogen supplementation and physician-recommended natural treatments for dealing with hormone imbalance and the symptoms of menopause. Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing About the Author : Besides symptoms listed above, read more about additional menopause symptoms at “http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/menopausesymptoms.html” http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/menopausesymptoms.html and take the online womens hormone health test. Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of “http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com” http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - a website of natural health articles for women.

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