research Paper Menopause - Ca College Of Ayurveda · Menopause, Deva Khalsa 4 When menopause is induced by surgery or radiation, which radically alters the yoni it

Menopause from an Ayurvedic perspective

DevaKhalsaMay2012

Menopause,DevaKhalsa 1

Table of Contents

Introduction………………………………………………………………………. 2

Whatismenopause?............................................................. 3

HotFlashes………………………………………………………………………… 5

TheDoshas………………………………………………………………………… 8

Dhatus……………………………………………………………………………….. 10

Herbs…………………………………………………………………………………. 15

PathologyofMenopause…………………………………………………… 18

HormoneReplacementTherapy………………………………………… 21

Diet……………………………………………………………………………………. 25

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………... 27

Endnotes/abstracts……………………………………………………………. 28


Introduction

Inmypracticeasayogateacher,cleansingfacilitator,AyurvedicHealthEducatorandwoman,hundredsof

womenhavecometomecomplainingabouttheirmenopausalsymptoms.Theybelieve(orhavebeen

taughtbywesternmedicalscience)tochasetheirsymptomswithexternalhormoneswillmakethem

happierandsymptomfree.Theystronglybelievethattheycannotsurvivewithoutthesehormonesand

thatthequalityoftheirlifeimproveswithhormonereplacementtherapy.

WhenIwasinmy30’sIjustlistened.

Nowat47Ihavesomethingtosay.PersonallyIhavenoovertsymptomsotherthanmusteringthe

courageat45toleavemyspiritualcommunityof20yearsandmymarriageof16years.Thisimplies

radicalchangewithin.IamlessapttositbyquietlywhenIdon’tagreeandamdriventocreatealifeof

stressfreehappinessformyselfandmytwosons.Beforethisresearchpaper,whenwomentalktome

abouttheirpersonalmenopausalexperienceIhavepromotedherbaltherapy,slowingdownandstress

reductiontechniques.

Theintentionofthispaperistoshowtheconnectionbetweenmenopause,rasaandojas,specificallyhot

flashes.ResearchonhotflashesandAyurvedawaslimited.Thispaperassumesaworkingknowledgeof

Ayurvedafromitsreaders.


Whatismenopause?

TheAyurvedicancienttext,theAstangaHrdayam,hasaneloquentanswertothisquestion“Justasthe

lotusclosesattheendoftheday,soalsotheyoniafterthertukala(theperiodsuitableforconception);

thereaftershewillnotbereceptiveforsukra(semen)”i1

Thiscouldberelatedtotheperiodofthemoon

eachmonthandalsocouldbeconsideredthepassageofawoman’stimeforprocreationinthegrand

schemeofherlife.

InanotherancientAyurvedictext,theCarakaSamhita,thetermfordiseasesofthefemalereproductive

systemisGuhyarogaandGarbharogaisthetermforthediseaseoftheuterus.Diseasesofthevaginaare

calledYoniVyapat.iiForthispaperthevagina,uterusandfemalereproductiveorganswillbecalledthe

yoni.

“Menopauseisthepermanentendofawoman’smenstrualperiods.Menopauseoccursnaturally,orit

canbecausedbysurgery,chemotherapy,orradiation.Naturalproductsormindandbodypracticesare

sometimesusedinanefforttorelievemenopausalsymptomssuchashotflashesandnightsweats.“iii

Perimenopauseisthisperiodoftransitionfromnormalcyclesandlevelsofsexhormonestomenopause.

Menopauseiswhenithasbeenayearsinceourlastperiod,anditisdrivenandaccompaniedbymore

dramaticchangeswithoursexhormones.Perimenopauseisconsideredtolastanywherefromacouple

yearstotwelveormorebeforemenopauseandalthoughthisisnotimplicitlystated,thetermtendstobe

appliedmoretowomenwhoareexperiencingdiscomfortwiththetransition.Progesteronestarts

droppingatage35,wecouldarguethatmostwomenenterperimenopauseasthattimeandthatit

progressesasoursexhormonesdiminish.Themoreimbalancedourhormones,themorelikelyitisthat

perimenopausewillbedifficult.Ifourhormonesarebalanced,itispossibletogofromage35to55

withoutanydiscomfort.iv


Whenmenopauseisinducedbysurgeryorradiation,whichradicallyalterstheyoniitiscalledartificial

menopause.Thereareseveralhormonalchangesthatareoccurringasawomanentersherlater

reproductiveyearsincludingdecreasesintheproductionofestrogenandprogesterone,decrease

receptivenessoftheovariestoFSH(folliclestimulatinghormone)andLH(luteinizinghormone)anda

decreaseinthepostovulationlevelsofprogesterone.Allofthesechangesdecreasefertility.v

Symptomsofmenopause

• Hairloss

• Digestivedisturbances

• Cystitis

• vaginitisvi

• anxiety,nervousnessanddepression

• vaginaldryness

• sweating/hotflashes

• irregularperiods

• sorebreasts

• fatigue,dizziness

• jointpain

• headaches

• fastheartbeat

• decreasedlibido

• bladderincontinencevii

• vaginalatrophy(thinningofthevaginaltissue)viii


“Whatarehotflashes?

Themostcommonmenopause‐relateddiscomfortisthehotflash(sometimescalledahotflush).

Althoughtheirexactcauseisamatterofspeculation,physiologicallyhotflashesarethoughttobethe

resultofchangesinthehypothalamus,thepartofthebrainthatregulatesthebody’stemperature.Ifthe

hypothalamusisunstableandmistakenlysensesthatawomanistoowarm,itstartsachainofeventsto

coolherdown.Bloodvesselsnearthesurfaceoftheskinbegintodilate(enlarge),increasingbloodflow

tothesurfaceoftheskininanattempttodissipatebodyheat.Thisproducesared,flushedlooktothe

faceandneckinlight‐skinnedwomen.Itmayalsomakeawomanperspiretocoolthebodydown.An

increasedpulserateandasensationofrapidheartbeatingmayalsooccur.Hotflashesareoftenfollowed

byacoldchill.Afewwomenexperienceonlythechill.ix“Hotflasheshavealsobeenshowntoincrease

whenawomanisanxiousortense.”x

Howlongwillhotflashesgoon?

• Hotflashestypicallystopontheirownovertime,andmaynotrequireanytreatment.If

treatmentisneeded,hotflashescanusuallybereducedoreliminatedcompletely.xi

ClaudiaWelchsays,“ourpopularculturehascaughtonthatmenopauseisnotadisease,it’sanatural

process.”xiiDuringmenopause,theyangrises.Ourhiddenpower,ourinnerfire,comestothesurface.This

firemaygiveustheenergyweneedtobeginanewcareer,remodelourbodieswithafitnessanddietary

regime,leaveorinvigorateastalerelationship,developanabandonedtalent,traveltheworld,giveback

toourcommunityortotheEarth.Whateverisitthatyouhavebeenputtingoff,whateverpartofyourself

remainsunderdeveloped,whateveryourdreamswhispertoyouatnight,nowisyourtimetoreallylisten

andfollowthrough.xiii

This“isnotadiscretehormonaleventbutacomplexperiodinwomen’slivesinwhichhormonalfactors,

familyrelationships,workstatus,andself‐conceptchange.Itisimportanttoexaminewhetherthese

changesalterqualityoflifeandtodisentanglethespecificpathwaysrelatedtohealth‐relatedqualityof

lifeinmid‐lifewomen.xivThisisatimewhenmanywomenbegintomanifestsomeofthefierceneedfor

self‐expressionthatsooftengoesundergroundatadolescence.Mid‐lifewomenaredangeroustoany

forcesexistingthatseektoturnthemintosilentoldladies,dangeroustothedeadeningeffectsof


conventionandnicenessanddangeroustoanyaccommodationsmadethatarestiflingwhotheyarenow

becoming.Shescrutinizeseveryaspectofherlifeandrelationshipseradicatinganydeadwoodthatheld

herbackornolongerservedwhoshehadbecome.Womeninmid‐lifeareataturningpoint,eitherthey

continuelivingwithrelationships,jobsandsituationsthattheyhaveoutgrown–achoicethathastensthe

agingprocessandthechancefordiseasedramatically–ortheycandothedevelopmentalworkthattheir

bodiesandhormoneslevelsarecallingoutfor.xv

“Atmenopausethereisamoredrasticchangeinourlevelsofsexhormones,butthisisn’tnecessarilya

problem.”xvi“Theprevalentmedicalbeliefthatfallingestrogenlevelsaresolelyresponsibleforallthe

symptomswecurrentlyattributetomenopauseisamistake.Whilethereisaverydefinitedropin

estrogenandprogesteroneduringperimenopauseandmenopause,womenintheirfortiesandfiftiesare

showingothersignsofagingthatmayhavebeengoingonfordecades.”xvii

“Menopausalsymptomsaredueinparttochronicdepletionofwomen’smetabolicresourcesduringthe

perimenopausalyears.Theeaseoftransitionintothisstagedependsuponthestrengthofawoman’s

adrenalsandthestateofhergeneralnutrition.Inahealthywoman,theadrenalglandswillbeableto

graduallytakeoverhormonalproductionfromtheovaries.Manywomen,however,approachmenopause

inastateofemotionalandnutritionaldepletionthathasaffectedoptimaladrenalfunction.Underthese

conditionsawomanmayrequirehormonal,nutritional,emotionalandothersupportuntilherendocrine

balanceisrestored.”xviii

“Sincewenolongermakeandbearbabies,wenolongerneedtomaintainthepotentialtonourish

anotherbeing.Westillrequirenourishmentourselves,however,andprovidedwehavenotconsumedtoo

muchyinxix(author’snote:yinandojasareusedinterchangeablyinthispaper)inourearlieryearsby

plowingthroughlife’sobstacles,ourbodiescanstillprovideuswithwhatweneed.Postmenopausal

womenstillproduce40‐60%oftheirpremenopausallevelsofhormonesandestrogenfallsonly40‐50%at

menopauseandthatwehavetheabilitytosynthesizesexhormonessufficientforournatural

postmenopausalneedsviatheadrenalglandsandourvariousbodilytissues.

Tomakeestrogen,weneedestrogenprecursorsandaromatase‐theenzymenecessarytoconvert

precursorsintoestrogen–andwomenhavebothofthesejustabouteverywhereintheirbodies,even


aftermenopause.Sowehavegreatpotentialtosynthesizesufficientestrogen.Thisiswhynotallolder

womenhaveosteoporosisordeficientestrogenorprogesterone.Manywomennavigatemenopausewith

minimaldiscomfortandhaveneverhadhormonereplacementtherapyofanysort.Theyhike,bike,swim,

gardenandwalkupastormandhavehealthyheartsandstrongbones.

Estrogendeficiencymaysimplybeduetoalong‐termexcessofstresshormonesdrainingsexhormones.

Addingmoreestrogenviahormonereplacementtherapywithoutcalmingthestressislikepouringwater

intoabucketwithaholeinit.Stressrendersherlessresponsivetonormalamountsofhormonesand

prettymuchensureshormonalimbalance.Forexample,awomanwithexcesscortisolbutnormal

amountsofestrogenmaygethotflashesorothersymptomstypicallyassociatedwithestrogendeficiency.

Ifthiswomanweretotreatthesesymptomswithestrogenreplacementtherapyshewouldpossiblythen

developestrogen‐dominantsymptomssuchasweightgain,waterretention,andmoodswings.

Bythetimewomenreachmenopause,manyhavealreadydrainedtheirreservesofyinsexhormones

(depletedourojas).Nowwhenherovariesareproducingasmallerquantityofsexhormones,heradrenal

glandsaresupposedtokickinandproducemoreofthehormonesandhormoneprecursorsneeded.But

whatiftheseglandsarealreadyburntoutfromproducinglotsofstresshormonestomanagestressful

livesoverthelast20ormoreyearsandbyproducingtheDHEArequiredtoassuagetheeffectsofexcess

cortisol?Theywillbetappedandtiredoutandunabletodeliverpostmenopausalhormonal

requirements.

InWesternterminologythistranslatesashighorlowcortisollevels(lowwhenthey’vebeenhightoolong

andcrash),adeficiencyofsexhormones,thyroidproblems,adrenalburnout,andahostofother

imbalances.Theresultcanbeamenopauseaccompaniedby:

• Insomnia

• hotflashes

• moodswings

• compromisedimmunesystems

• osteoporosisandheartdisease


Hotflashesareagoodindicatorofhormonalimbalance.About80%ofmenopausalwomen(Dr.Halpern

cites75%inhistextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine)willexperienceatleastonehotflash,makingthis

asignificantsymptomaccompanyingmenopause.Generallythemoreintensethesymptomsof

menopausethemoreoutofbalancethehormonesare.xx

THEDOSHAS

Disturbanceinthedoshasliesattherootofmostmidlifesymptomsofmildintensityandonceawoman

hasdeterminedwhichofherdoshasisoutofbalanceshewillbeabletocorrecthermildersymptomsfor

asmoothsymptomfreetransition.xxiToBeginwith,“withouttheaggravationofVata,thevaginadoesnot

getdisorderedinwomen;hencethisshouldbewonoverfirstandtheotherstreatednext.”xxii

InrelationtothismidlifetransitionVatagovernsthesecretionanddeliveryofhormones(reproductiveor

other)fromtheirglandsoforigintotheirorgansofdestination:brain,vagina,skin,liver,bones.Vataalso

keepstheevery‐cyclingbiologicalrhythmsinbalanceandattunedtothecyclesofthemoonandseasons.

Vataisprimarilyresponsibleforguidingthebody’sadjustmenttochange.xxiii

And“AsMenopauseisassociatedwiththemovementintooldage,theVatastage,symptomsare

primarilyofhighVatawithincreasednervousness,anxiety,insomniaanddepression.”xxiv

Therearethreetypesofmenopause:

Vata–Type

Menopausalsymptomsare“precipitatedandaggravatedbyVatavitiatingregimenssuchascold,dryand

lightfoodsandahigh‐stress,fast‐pacedlifestyle.Thisconditionisfurtheraggravatedwhenawomandoes

notembracethechangeoflifeandattemptstocontinueonwiththeresponsibilitiesofthepittatimeof

life.ChildrearingandprofessionalaccomplishmentduringtheVataphaseoflifeisoutofharmonywith

life’srhythms.

ThesymptomsofVataimbalanceduringmenopausewhilequitevariablearegenerallythoseofdepletion.

Hotflashesarethemostcommonsymptom.Additionalcommonsymptomsincludevaginaldryness,

atrophicvaginitis,insomnia,irritability,anxiety,palpitations,tachycardia,cystitis,urinaryincontinence

andconstipation.Vataaccumulatesandbecomesaggravatedinthepurishavahasrota.Itoverflowstothe


rasaandraktavahasrotas.Relocationtotheartavavahasrotacausesvaginaldrynessandpossible

atrophicvaginitis.Relocationintotheannavahasrotasharplydisturbssamanavayuleadingtohotflashes.

Relocationtothemutravahasrotaresultsinpossiblecystitisandincontinence.Relocationintotheorigin

oftherasavahasrotaresultsinpalpitationsandtachycardia.Relocationtotheashtivahasrotaleadsto

osteoporosis.WhenVatarelocatestothemanovahasrotawomenmayexperienceemotionalinstability,

insomnia,irritabilityandanxiety.”xxv

“TheactualstimulusofmenopauseisVataenteringtheshukradhatuoftheartavavahasrotapreventing

maturationofthefollicles.Thisisnormalduringthisstageoflifeandrequiresnotreatmentinandof

itself.Symptomsthatarepresentarecausedbyanaggravationofapre‐existingVataimbalanceora

concurrentvata‐vitiatinglifestylewhichismadeworsebythechangesoflife.”xxvi

Tonictherapyatthistimeoflifeslowstherateofdepletionallowingagradualtransitiontotakeplace.

Dr.HalpernrecommendsRejuvenativetherapiestobuildthedhatusandrestoreojas:Abhyanga,

shirodhara,anuvasanabastiandchakrabastioverthesvadhisthanachakra.xxvii

“Indiseasesofthevaginaofvataorigin‐oleation,sudationandenema,whichmitigatevataarehighly

valuable,especiallyinthosewhicharecausedbyvata.”xxviii“Regularroutinesarealwaysimportantfor

supportingvatadoshaandareparticularlyimportantforstabilizingsamanavayu“xxix

Vata/Pitta–Type

Ingeneral,thePittadoshaisresponsibleforkeepingdigestionstrong,metabolismbalancedandweight

normalinthefaceofchanginghormones.Pittaguidesthechemicalreactionsthatoccurwithinthecells

afterhormonalstimulation.Pittaprovidestheheatofhotflashes.xxx“AsthetransitionvitiatesVatadosha,

thedisturbanceinairfansanalreadyvitiatedfireincreasingPittadosha.Asaresulthotflashesaremost

intensewithaPittanature.Additionalcomplicationsincludegreaterinflammationandburningasoccurs

incystitisandvaginitis.Emotionallythereisgreaterangerandintensitywhich,likethehotflashescomes

andgoes.“xxxi“Pittatypemenopauseappearsasanger,irritabilityandshorttemper,withmorefrequent

orpronouncedhotflashes.”xxxii

Vata/Kapha–Type


AwomanwithaKaphanatureorimbalanceoftenenterstheVatatimeoflifewithfewersymptomsthan

thosewithamoreVataorPittanatureorimbalance.Thisisduetothemoiststableandcoolnatureof

Kaphawhichnaturallyantidotesthecondition.WomenwithaKaphaimbalanceoftenfindthatVata

pushesKaphafurtheroutofbalance.Thiscausesasteadyriseinbodyweightthatisaccompaniedby

lethargyandmelancholy.ThequalitiesofimbalancepresentinmostVata/Kaphaimbalancesareheavy,

coldanddry.OftenthebodyissluggishbutthemindisactiveunlessthereismoreVatathenamore

mobilemind.WhileisitmostimportanttopacifyVataduringthemenopausaltransition,the

managementofkaphashouldnotbeignored.xxxiii

“Kaphainvolvesfeelingofheaviness,sleepiness,lackofmotivation,weightgainorholdingofwater.”xxxiv

Aftermenopause,Kaphadoshaisresponsibleforkeepingawoman’sjoints,skin,eyesandvaginaltissues

moistandlubricated,alsoprovidingstrengthandstaminatoemotions,behaviorandtheimmune

system.xxxv

Doshasandthehotflashes

Thehighlyirregular,unstablepatternoftemperaturecontrolreflectsVata’squalityofirregularity.The

heatfactor(Pitta)ofhotflashesisasecondaryphenomenon.ButVataiscoolandPittaishot.Ayurveda

seekstotreattheprimarycausefirst,xxxviwhichreinforcestreatingVatafirst.

DHATUS

Thedhatusarethebasictissueelementsofthebody.Theyareseveninnumber,namely,(1)rasaorchyle

orplasma,(2)raktaorthered‐bloodcorpuscles,(3)mamsaormuscletissue,(4)medasorfattissue,(5)

asthiorbonetissue,(6)majjaorbonemarrowand(7)sukraandrajasorthespermandovumwhichare

responsibleforprocreation.Thesedhatusorbasictissueelementsremaininaparticularproportioninthe

humanbodyandanychangeintheirequilibriumleadstodiseaseanddecay.Theirfunctionsaredescribed

indetailinAyurvedicclassics.Diseasesareproducedonly‐whenthedoshasinteractwiththesedhatus

andthishappensonlywhenthereisdisturbanceintheirequilibrium.Ifthereisanychangeinthe

equilibriumofthesedhatuscertainsignsandsymptomsaremanifestedinthebody.Fromthesesignsand

symptoms,thephysiciancanascertainthemahabhauticrequirementofthebodyforthecorrectionofthe


disease,anddrugsareselectedaccordingly.xxxvii

RasaDhatu

Rasadhatuistheclearserumportionofthebloodandinmenopausecanexperiencethesesymptoms:

verydryskin,prematuregrayingorwrinklingoftheskin,mildoroccasionalvaginaldryness,excess

mucousorrespiratorycongestion,feelingofweaknessandtiredness,lackofstamina,ovarianorbreast

cystsnoworinthepast(fluid‐filledonly).xxxviii

Iron‐deficiencyanemiaisacommonproblemforperimenopausalwomenwhohaveheavybleedingwith

theirperiods.Ifherdigestionisweak,herbloodmaynotbeabletoabsorbadequateironfromherdietto

meetherbody’sneeds.Thismeansherbloodplasma(rasa)willbedeficientiniron,whichisessentialfor

thenexttissueinline,theredbloodcells(rakta).Withoutenoughiron,herredbloodcellswillbesmaller

thannormalandthereforecarrylessoxygen.Thenexttissuedowntheline,themuscles(mamsa)willbe

undersuppliedwithoxygenandbecomeeasilyfatigued.Thisishowweak(rasaandrakta)translatesto

tiredmuscle(mamsa)lessexercisetoleranceandstamina,andagenerallyrun‐downcondition.xxxix

Dr.Ladsaysthatexcessheaviness,waterretentionandswellingareallkaphasymptomsassociatedwith

rasa.Thesearesymptomsofmenopause.xl

Oneofmyfavoriteteachers,MaryThompsonfromtheCaliforniaCollegeofAyurvedaheldamenopause

workshopinJanuary2012.Shesaidthatduringmenopausethebodynolongerhasestrogentobuildthe

rasadhatusothenaperimenopausalwomancannotstabilizerasaandheatinthebody.Sherecommends

arasatea.RasaTeahelpseliminatehotflashes,migrainesandconstipationduetodehydration.

Thompsonsays“thethickertheteathemorerasathatgetsbuilt”.

RASA TEA

1 Tbsp Fenugreek or slippery elm or Shitavari (cut and sifted)

1 Tbsp Flax or chia seeds

1 Tbsp Fennel Seeds

1 Tbsp Marshmallow root

Pour one quart of hot water over the herbs in a quart size mason jar. Steep up to 30 min. and

drink as it cools. Astragalus root is an adaptogen and can be added as well in equal parts in


weight.xli

RaktaDhatu

Raktadhatuistheredbloodcellsandbileandinmenopausewomencanexperiencetheseimbalances:

severehotflashesorfrequentfeelingofexcessiveheat,veryheavybleeding,frequentorchronicskin

rashes,acne,pustulesorhives,gallstonesnoworinthepast,bleedinghemorrhoids,constantthirst

MamsaDhatu

Mamsadhatuisthemuscletissueandinmenopausecanexperiencetheseimbalances:constantmuscle

achesoreasilyfatiguedmuscles,chronicallyswollentonsilsorlymphglandsintheneck,itchyearcanals

oreczemaofearcanalorexcessearwax,fibroidsoftheuterus(noworinthepast),fibrousorglandular

lumpsinthebreasts,severelydry,crackinglips.

MedasDhatu

Medasdhatuisthefat,hormoneandcarbohydratemetabolismandinmenopausecanexperiencethese

imbalances:weightgain(10poundsormore)orinabilitytoloseweight,highbloodsugar,high

cholesterol,chronicsweatorbodyodor,fattycystsundertheskinorscalporinthebreasts,thyroid

disorder,frequentnightsweatsorsweatsduringthedayassociatedwithhotflashes.

AsthiDhatu

Asthidhatuisthebone,cartilage,hairandnailtissuesandinmenopausecanexperiencethese

imbalanceslowbonedensity,hairbreakingorhairverydryandlackingluster,problemswithteeth

(breakingeasilyormanycavities),nailsbreakingfrequently,constantjointpainsorarthriticconditions,

deeppainsinthebones.xlii

“Exerciseisbesttreatmentforosteoporosis.Inresponsetostressplaceonbones,naturehasdesigned

ourbodiestoincreasebonedensity.Hence,dailyexerciseisimportant.Weightbearingexerciseisthe

mostimportantformofexercise.Thuswalkingismorebeneficialthanswimming.”xliiiStandingyogaposes

arealsobeneficial.

“Duringmenopause,asthiagnibecomeshyperactivebecausethebodyproduceslessestrogen.Whenless

estrogenispresent,asthiagnibecomesoveractiveinanefforttocompensateforthatlackofestrogenin


anefforttocompensateforthatlackofestrogenandtheagniitcontains.Theresultcanbeosteoporosis.

Eatingavataprovokingdietwillworsenosteoporoticchanges.”xliv

TheAyurvedictextsstatethatabhyangahelpstopreventosteoporosisandincreasebonestrength.The

skinisoneofthemainsiteswhereestrogenisformedinthebodyaftermenopause.Dr.Lonsdorfthinks

thattheabhyangaenhancesproductionofestrogenbytheskincells,helpingthebodymakeupforless

hormoneproductionbytheovaries.Takingafewminuteseachmorningtodoaself‐massagewithoilwill

helpcounteractthespaciness,dryness,anxiety,stiffness,achesandpainsthatcomefromVatarisingin

thebodyandmind.TheCharakaSamhitatellsusthatonewhodoesabhyangaregularlywillnotinjureas

easilyandifinjuredwillhealmorequickly.Recentresearchhasshownthatsesameoilhasanti‐

inflammatorypropertiesaswellasantibacterialandanticancereffectsontheskin.xlv

MajjaDhatu

MajjaDhatuisthecentralnervoussystemtissueandinmenopausecanexperiencetheseimbalances:

frequentorrecurringinfections,excesssecretionsoftheeyes,drynessofskinonuppereyelids,constant

spaceyanddistractiblefeeling,inabilitytofocusorconcentrate,paininthetendons,easilyinjured

tendonsorrecurrenttendonitis,frequentfeelingoffaintnessordizziness.

ArtavaDhatu

Artavadhatuistheovumanditssupportivetissuesandinmenopausecanexperiencetheseimbalances:

absenceoflibido(nosexdrive),severevaginaldryness,overalllackofsexualattractiveness,dull,unclear

eyes,historyofmorethanonemiscarriage,infertility.xlvi

“Artavavahasrota(femalereproductivesystem)includesthefallopiantubes,ovaries,uterus,cervix,vulva

andvaginalpassage.Thefunctionsofartavavahasrotasincludemenstruation,ovulationandconception.

Thecessationofartavahappensduringmenopause.”xlvii

OJAS

Ojasis“themostrefinedandsubtleessenceofthephysicalbody.Whenfullyactivated,ojasisthebliss

factorthatgoesbeyondgoodhealthtokeepyoufullyimmuneandstrengthenedagainalldisease.Ojasis

thesuperfluidslidethatlinkstheunderlyingintelligenceofNaturetoitsexpressionsinyourmindand

body.Ojasisasupremelyrefinedhealthgivingelixirresultingfromperfectdigestion,whichpermeates


everycellwithlife‐givingenergy.Ojasisresponsibleforkeepingallthecellsofyourbodyfunctioning

coherentlytogether,muchastheconductorofasymphonyorchestrakeepsalltheinstrumentalists

playingasacoordinatedwhole,inperfectharmony.Whenyourojasisenlivened,youhaveahealthyglow

onyourface,andthelightinyoureyesburnsbrightly.Yourhormonesarecommunicatingtheright

messages,attherighttimes,intherightamountstoyourcellsandDNA.Whenojasishighduetoama‐

freedigestionandmetabolism,menopausesymptomsareminimalandyourbodyadjustseasilytoits

innershifttohormones.”xlviii


HERBS

HerbsforVata

“HerbsforVatashouldbeutilizedandformulaspreparedshouldbecoolinginnatureanddipanasshould

beaddedtoformulasthatpacifybothVataandPittasuchasfennel,cumin,coriander,peppermint,and

chamomile.Burningwhenpresentisbesttreatedwithsweetdemulcentherbssuchasshitavari,asweet,

cooldemulcentthatisalsoareproductivetonicprovidingestrogenicsupport.Forthemind,thebest

herbsforpacifyingbothdoshas(VP‐)arebrahmiandshankpushpi.”xlix

Menopausetreatmentrequiresspecialherbsforstrengtheningorrejuvenatingthefemalereproductive

system,alongwithherbstohelpregulatethehormonesandcalmtheemotions.Thegeneraltreatment

forVatatypemenopauseissimilarlyanti‐Vata.Frawleyrecommendsherbswhichtonifythefemale

reproductivesystem,includingaloegel,shitavari,saffron,kapikacchu,ashwaghandatakeninmilk

decoctions(SwamiSadaShivaTirthaaddssaffronandmyrrhtothislistforVataherbs)l,ifpossible,orin

theirdifferentpreparationslikeshitavaricompound.Chinesetonicherbssuchasdongquai,rehmannia,

whitepeony,lyciumandwomen’spreciouspillsaregood.Aloegelisspecificformaintainingthe

youthfulnessofthefemalereproductiveorgans.li

Dr.AlakanandaDevitaughtmeaShitavarikulpainJanuary2012inSantaFeatapulseworkshopwith

AmadeaMorningstar.

ShitavariKulpa

1cupShitavari

1/3cupturbinadosugarorcoconutsugar

2Tbspghee

½tspcardamom

Pinchofsaffron

Simmeronlowinacastironfryingpanuntilgoldenbrown.


Thisformulaincreasesthedemulcentpropertiesthroughoutthebodybuildingrasaandrakta.Dr.

AlakanandaDevirecommendseatingwithaspoonformenopausalwomenthatarehotandbothered.

Shesuggestsitistooheavyforkaphathough.

HerbsforPitta

TreatmentforPittatypemenopauseisanti‐pittaincludingaloeveragelandshitavaritonicsorasaffron

milkdecoctionorshitavaricompound.

HerbsforKapha

TreatmentforKaphatypemenopauseisanti‐kapha.Hotspicesareusedlikethetrikatuformulaalong

withaloegel.”liiMoreherbsrecommendedforKaphaarepippiliandgingerliiiLekhanastosupport

weightlossincreasethemedagniincludeguggul,chitrak.Nervinestimulantscanbetakentopacifykapha

inthemajjadhatuaswellasthemanovahasrotareducingbothlethargyandmelancholyrepectively,

calamus,bayberry,andTulsi.”liv

“AccordingtoAyurveda,awomanshouldtakenaturalherbalestrogenthatispresentinShitavariand

otherherbalremedies.Shitavariiseffectiveinpreventingosteoporosisduringmenopausalage.”lv

“Estrogenpromotingherbsareoftenusedinthetreatmentofmenopausesymptoms.Commonherbs

thataregenerallyacceptedtomimicestrogenincludemotherwort,redcloverandsawpalmetto.

Motherworthasthestrongesthistoryforuseintreatingfemalereproductivecomplaints.Otherherbs

suchasdongquai,vitex,bluecohosh,blackcohosh,wildyamandlicoricehavealsobeenfoundtohave

estrogenlikeeffectsthoughtheyareweakerthanthosepreviouslynoted.Themostcommonoftheseare

dongquai,vitex,wildyamandblackcohosh.InIndiathemostcommonherbusedisShitavariwithits

estrogenlikeeffects.Theseherbsaremosteffectiveinthetreatmentofhotflashesandvaginaldryness.

Fordryvaginitisandpainfulintercoursetheseherbscanbepreparedinamedicatedgheeandapplied

topically.

Inthemanagementofpost‐menopausalpalpitations,inadditiontotheestrogen‐promotingherbs,

circulatorytonicssuchasbalashouldbeused.Thesenourishtherasadhatuwhilestrengtheningand

regulatingtheheartbeat.Arjunaandhawthornberriesmayalsobebeneficial.”lviDr.Halpernrecommends

“patientsshouldtaketheherbsuntilmenopauseiscompleteandthengraduallyreducethedosagewith


thehopeofgettingofftheherbsaltogether.”Whileherbscaneasethetransition,occasionallysymptoms

returnwhenthepatientgoesoffoftheherbs.


PathologyofMenopause

Stage Evidence Dosha Subdosha Dhatu Srota Category Twoex.

VATA

A/A Possible,mild,

dry,hardstools

andstraining

Constipation

andgas

Vata Apana Rasa Purishavaha Demulcents

Cooldipanas

Licorice,shitavari,

aloevera

Fennel,cardamom,

coriander

O Mild,Transient

systemic

dryness

Vata Vyana Rasa Rasavaha Demulcents Licorice,shitavari,

slipperyelm

O Mild,Transient

Feelingcold

Vata Vyana Rakta Raktavaha Circulatory

stimulants

Cinnamon,ginger,

blackpepper

RMD Vaginaldryness Vata Vyana Rasa Artavavaha Demulcents Shitavari,Licorice,

aloevera

RMD Atropicvaginitis Vata Udana Mamsa Artavavaha Muscletonics Shitavari,

ashwaghanda,bala

RMD Emotional

instability,

insomnia,

irritability,

anxiety

Vata Prana,Vyana,

samana

n/a Manovaha Nervine

sedatives&

tonics

Ashwagandha,

jatamamsi,brahmi

shankapushpi

Ashwagandha,

brahmi,shitavari

RMD Hotflashes Vata Samana n/a Annavaha Dipanas

Fennel,cumin,

coriander

RMD Cystitis

Vata Vyana Rasa Mutravaha Demulcents

Shitavari,aloevera

Gokshura,


Urinarytonics punarnava

RMD Incontinence Vata Udana Mamsa Mutravaha Urinary

muscletonics

Gokshura,

punarnava

RMD Palpitations/

tachycardia

Vata Vyana Rasa Rasavaha Demulcents

Cardiactonics

Licorice,shitavari,

slipperyelm

HawthornBerries,

arjuna,bala

RMD

RMD

Osteopenia/

osteoporosis

Endocrine

imbalanceuntil

ovariesstop

producingova*

Vata

Vata

Apana

n/a

Asthi

Shukra

Asthivaha

Artavavaha

Bonetonics

Endocrine

tonics

Ashwagandha,

bala,haritaki

Shitavari,vitex,

dongquai,wild

yam,vidarikand

*Onceovariesstopproducingova,notreatmentisrequired

Itisimportanttonotethatthispathologyarticulatedaboverepresentsimbalancescreatedbymenopause.

Dr.Halpernsaysthatthemostimportantherbsarereproductivetonicsastheseeasethehormonal

transitionandallrelatedsymptoms.Additionalherbsshouldbegivenasneededforspecificsymptoms.

lviiHowever,andIwanttoemphasizethis,thepractitionershouldnotattempttotreateachandevery

symptomifmanyarepresent.Itisbesttochoosethemostsignificantsymptomdirectlywhilecorrecting

theunderlyingdepletion.lviii

SebastionPolerecommendsabeautifulredfruitfamedforitstasteaswellasbeingafertilitysymboland

balancingestrogen!Hegoesontosay,“pomegranatesareusefulformaintaininghealthylevelsof

oestregenastheycontainsmallamountofestrone.”Polerecommendseatingthefreshfruit,juiceofthe

seedsregularlyduringmenopauseandthatthesweetflavorcanhelptocoolsensationsofburningand

flushing.lix

FordhatuimbalancesDr.LonsdorfrecommendsaddingtheseherbsdescribedbelowtoCCF(cumin,

coriander,fenneltea).Use¼tspofeachcumin,corianderandfennel.Cuminhelpsabsorbanduse


nutrients,corianderhelpseliminatetoxicchemicalsandwastesthroughyourkidneysandfennelhelps

reducegasandbloatingandnormalizesdigestions(agni).

Rasa~1/8tspajwanseeds(skipifhavinglotsofhotflashesthoughastheyaresometimesheating)

Rakta~¼tspmanjistha

Mamsa~1/8tspIndiansarsaparilla

Medas~1/8tspblackcardamomseedsor3greenpodsofwholecardamom

Asthi~¼tspmarshmallowroot

Majja~¼tspbalaroot

Artava~¼tspShitavarilx


HORMONEREPLACEMENTTHERAPY

Studieshavereportedthatwomen’sattitudes,beliefs,andvaluesprimarilyinfluencetheirdecision

makingonmanagementstrategiesformenopausalsymptoms.Womenwithmorepositiveoroptimistic

outlooksaboutmenopause(forinstance,thosewhoconsideredmenopausenotillnessbutpartofthe

normalagingprocess)werelesslikelytousehormonereplacementtherapy(HRT)totreatsymptomsand

wereabletotoleratesymptoms.Incontrast,apessimisticappraisalofmenopausewassignificantly

relatedtoincreasednumbersofsymptoms.Inthisstudy,thefindingsonmanagementstrategiesforand

themeaningofsymptomsshowedthatmidlifewomenacrosstheethnicgroupsconsideredmenopausal

symptomsasignofagingandaresultoftheirnormallifespandevelopment.Mostwomenchose“no

management”asamanagementstrategy,andonlythosewhohadserioussymptomstookHRTfor

temporaryrelief.Interestingly,manyAsiansadoptedmindcontrolstrategiessuchas“tryingtobe

optimistic”and“tryingtocalmdown”tomanagesymptoms.Thefindingsalsosupportedthatethnicity

wasasignificantpredictorofthetotalnumberorseverityofsymptomsacrossethnicgroups,andthat

levelofacculturationwasasignificantpredictorofthetotalnumberoftotalsymptomsamongAsian

women,whichagreeswithpreviousstudies.Severalstudiesdemonstratedreducedfrequenciesof

menopausalsymptomsamongAsianwomenEthnicDifferencesinMenopausalSymptoms.

Therewasastatisticallysignificantethnicdifferenceinthetotalnumberofsymptomsexperiencedduring

themenopausaltransition;physicalsymptoms,psychologicalsymptomsandpsychosomaticsymptoms.

HispanicsandWhitesreportedsignificantlylargernumbersoftotalsymptoms,physicalsymptoms,and

psychosomaticsymptomsthanAsians.AfricanAmericansreportedasignificantlylargernumberof

psychosomaticsymptomsthanAsians.Therewerestatisticallysignificantethnicdifferencesinthe

frequenciesof41individualsymptoms.lxi

“Incross‐sectionalstudies,perimenopausalwomenreportgreaterbodilypainandrolelimitationsdueto

physicalhealthoremotionalproblems,poorerperceivedhealth,andmorephysicalorsomaticsymptoms

thandopremenopausalwomen.

Thesestudiesarebasedondiversepopulations,includingwomenfrom


England,Holland,Taiwan,Chile,France,Sweden,andtheUnitedStates,wherewomenofJapanese,

Chinese,Hispanic,African,andEuropeanoriginhaveparticipated.Severalstudiesalsosuggestthat

womenwhochoosetouseHRTduringthemenopausehavepoorhealth‐relatedqualityoflife.

Several

studiessuggestthatstatisticalcontrolsforemotionalsymptomsremovetheeffectofmenopausalstatus

onsomaticsymptoms.

Stateddifferently,womenwhoreporthighlevelsofanxiety,depression,andother

emotionalsymptomsarethewomenwhoreportpoorqualityoflifeduringmenopause.Thisisconsistent

withdatashowingthatwomenatotherlifestageswhoreportemotionalsymptomsalsoreportapoor

qualityoflife.”lxii

Women’sabilitytomanagesymptomsassociatedwiththisnormallifetransitionhasbeenreportedto

greatlyinfluencetheirqualityoflifeandimposephysical,psychological,andeconomicburdens.Hence,

strengtheningwomen’sabilitytomanagesymptomsduringthemenopausaltransitioninculturally

competentwaysisimperativeforthehealthandwellbeingofmorethan40millionmidlifewomeninthe

U.S.lxiii

AboutPhytoestrogens

“Phytoestrogensoccurnaturallyinplantsandactlikeestrogensinsometissues,includingboneand

cardiovasculartissue.Somebotanicalproducts,suchassoyandredclover,containphytoestrogens.Plants

richinphytoestrogenshavebeenstudiedfortreatingmenopausesymptoms.However,muchremainsto

belearnedabouttheseplantproducts,includingtheireffectsinthehumanbody.Doctorscautionthat

certainwomenneedtobeparticularlycarefulaboutusingphytoestrogens,especially:

• Womenwhohavehadorareatincreasedriskfordiseasesorconditionsthatareaffectedbyhormones,

suchasbreast,uterine,orovariancancer

• Womenwhoaretakingmedicationsthatincreaseestrogenlevelsinthebody,suchasbirthcontrolpills;

menopausalhormonetherapy;oratypeofcancerdrugcalledselectiveestrogenreceptormodulators

(SERMs),suchastamoxifen.

ThompsonsaidthatwhenawomanistakingHRT,thebodywillconfuseHRTandthyroidhormonehence

therewillbemorethyroidfloatingaroundintheblood.Thyroidhormonewillbeoverabsorbedbecause

thereceptorsiteisthesameforthyroidhormoneandestrogen.Shealsobelievesthatthisproblemwill


self‐correctinsixmonthsasreceptorsitesdecrease.Initiallythiscouldaccountfortheweightgainand

fatigueofawomanonHRT.Shesaidathyroidglandularfromanimalsforthefirst6monthswouldhelpto

counteractthisissueandbegintoproduceT3andT4inhersystem.Shealsosuggestedkelp,whichisrich

iniodinetosupportthethyroidglandtoproducemorehormones.lxiv

DHEA

DHEAisanaturallyoccurringsubstancethatischangedinthebodytothehormonesestrogenand

testosterone.DHEAismanufacturedandsoldasadietarysupplement.Afewsmallstudieshave

suggestedthatDHEAmightpossiblyhavesomebenefitforhotflashesanddecreasedsexualarousal,

althoughsmall‐randomizedcontrolledtrialshaveshownnobenefit.BecauselevelsofnaturalDHEAinthe

bodydeclinewithage,somepeoplebelievethattakingaDHEAsupplementcanhelptreatorprevent

conditionsrelatedtoaging;however,thereisnoscientificevidencetosupportthisnotion.

ConcernshavebeenraisedaboutwhetherDHEAissafeandeffective.Itslong‐termeffects,risks,and

benefitshavenotbeenwellstudied,anditremainsunclearwhetheritmightincreasetheriskforbreast

orprostatecancer.Thereisthepossibilitythatevenshort‐termuseofDHEAsupplementsmighthave

detrimentaleffectsonthebody.BeforeusingDHEAforanypurpose,peopleshouldtalktotheirhealth

careprovideraboutpotentialbenefitsandrisks.”lxv

“Eachwoman’smenopauseexperienceisdifferent.Thegreatestdifferencesobservedarebetween

womenwhohavenaturalmenopauseandthosewhosemenopauseisearlyorinduced,whichtypically

requiresspecializedcare.Manywomenwhohavenaturalmenopausereportnophysicalchangesatall

duringtheperimenopausalyearsexceptirregularmenstrualperiodsthateventuallystopwhen

menopauseisreached.Inadditiontoirregularmenstrualperiods,somewomenexperiencesymptomsof

hotflashes,difficultysleeping,and/orvaginaldryness.Theseverityofthesechangesvariesfromwoman

towoman,butforthemostpart,theyareperfectlynaturalandnormal.Infact,someexpertsandwomen

prefernottocallperimenopausalchanges“symptoms,”atermusuallyreservedtodescribediseases.”lxvi


HRTforhotflashes

“Hotflashesareoneofthemajorreasonsthatwomenturntoestrogen‐replacementtherapyorhormone

replacementtherapywhichisacombinationofestrogenandprogestin.”lxvii

Thebesttreatmentdependsonhowseverethehotflashesare,howmuchtheyinterferewithawoman’s

qualityoflife,herpersonalphilosophyandpreferences,andherhealthprofile.Iftreatmentisneeded,hot

flashescanusuallybereducedoreliminatedcompletelywithlifestylechanges,nonprescriptionremedies,

andprescriptiontherapies.SystemicestrogentherapyistheonlytherapyapprovedbytheU.S.Foodand

DrugAdministration(FDA)—andHealthCanada—fortreatinghotflashes.”lxviii

Someexpertssuggestthattakingestrogenasatherapymaynotcreatethesamebeneficialeffectsasthe

estrogenproducedbyyourbody.ContinuousexposuretoHRT,takenatthesamedosedayafterdaycan

leadtoadesensitizationofthetargetcells,thecellscanclosetheirdoorstomoreestrogenenteringby

decreasingthenumberofestrogenreceptorsavailable,anaturaladjustmentcalleddown‐regulation.We

canunderstandthisasthebody’sinnerintelligencetellingitthatthisamountofhormoneisunnatural

andunhealthyandthecellsadjustaccordingly.lxix

Ifyougiveawomansyntheticestrogen,hermenstruationcanreturn,orshemaydeveloppitta

symptoms,becauseestrogenispittaprovoking.Inaddition,thereisthepossibilityofcancer.Itismore

balancingtousenaturalherbalestrogen,whichispresentinshitavari,gaduchiandaloeveraastheseall

decreasepitta.lxx

Recently(Dr.Lonsdorf’s2004book)ultralow‐doseestrogen(1/4oftheusualdose)wasfoundto

significantlyincreasebonedensityinpostmenopausalwomenwithoutanyreportedsideeffectsinthree

years.Whetherthatwilltranslatelong‐termintofewerfracturesandanabsenceofsideeffectsisyetto

bedetermined.Inwomenwithovariesintact,anyamountofestrogentakenastherapyisstillmorethan

thebodyismakingnaturally–asetupforlongtermsideeffects.”


DIET

TheAstangaHrdayamclaimsthattwentydiseasesofthevaginaarisebecauseofconsumingbadfood.lxxi

IntribalandruralIndia,womenlivingsimple,low‐stresslivesrarelyhavemenopausalsymptoms.Physical

exertionandadietoffreshfoods(especiallywildyam),grainssuchasquinoaandamaranth,andspices

withestrogeniceffectsallhaveamodulatingorbalancingeffectonfluctuatinghormonelevels.lxxii

AMA&HotFlashes

Ifawomanhasmoderatetoseveresymptoms–frequenthotflashes,insomnia,jointpains,painful

vaginaldryness,extrememoodswings–andthenitspossiblethatshehasblockagesthatarecausingher

symptoms.Theseblockagesaretheresultofamaormetabolicwastesandtoxinsthathavebuiltupinthe

tissues.lxxiiiWhendigestionfailstobreakdownyourfoodcompletely,largerthannormalfoodparticlesare

permittedtoenterthebloodstreamandcirculatetotissues.Thesemisshapenfoodparticlesare

permittedtoenterthebloodstreamandcirculatetothetissuesuntiltheylodgeinnarrowpassageways

andgetstuck,cuttingoffchannelsthatwouldotherwisecarrynutrientsandhormonesintoyourcells.

Thisblockingofhormonedeliveryandnutrientsisanimportantwayinwhichamaleadstomoreextreme

symptomsofmenopauseandtodegenerativeconditionsinlaterlife.Thehormonescannotreachorbind

withtheappropriatecells.Thisiswhysoyproductsandevenhormonereplacementtherapydoesnot

relieveawoman’shotflashesorothermenopausalsymptoms.Thesoyorhormonemoleculesjustnever

connectwiththecellsthatneedthem.Thisisindicativethatcleansingisnecessary.lxxiv

OneofDr.Lonsdorf’smentorsdescribeshotflashesinthisway:Whenthechannelsarecloggedwith

wastes,thePittafrommetabolismbuildsupinthetissues.Theexperienceisaflashingofthesudden

surgeofheatandflushingasthebodytriestodissipatethebuildup.Tocoolthisdown,Pittaneedstobe

pacifiedbutthetissuesalsoneedtobeclearedofchannel‐obstructingamasotheheatcanflowout.The

mentorrecommendedapure,simplecleansingdietandherbstocleartheamaandresolvethesymptoms

quickly.lxxv


VataDiet

Vatapacifyingdietemphasizestheuseofthesweettasteasitistonicandhelpstosupportallofthe

dhatusandojas.lxxvi

Vatadietwouldconsistofmainlywarm,cooked,wholesomefoodsateachmeal.Reservesaladsandraw

vegetablesforthesidedishes.Avoidcolddrinksandiceddesserts.lxxviiThompsonrecommendsheavy,

moistdensefoodstopacifyVataandtobuildRasaDhatu.Shealsorecommendsincreasingoilssuchas

flax,sesameorgheeupto1TBSPpermealinadditiontothecookingoil.Thompsonsaysthatshemust

havejataragni(goodtissuedigestivefire)orcannotdigesttheoilsandwillgetmoreamainthe

system.lxxviii

PittaDiet

ThebesttasteforbothVata/Pittaisthesweettaste.Thisiscool,moist,heavyandstabilizing‐allquantities

thatbenefitthiscondition.Thebittertastethoughcooling,shouldbeavoidedastheairandetherthat

makeupthetastefurtheraggravateVatadosha.lxxix

Pittadietwouldbetoavoidprocessedfoods,cheese,yogurt,junkfoods,redmeat,hotspices,alcohol,

caffeine,vinegar,sugarandfriedfoods.Eatorganicwholesomefoodswithlotsoffreshvegetables,sweet,

juicyfruitsanddrinkplentyoffreshpurewater.lxxx

KaphaDiet

AVata/Kaphapacifyingfoodprogramemphasizeswarm,spicyfoodthatincreasesagni(digestivefire)and

improvesdigestion.Sweet,nourishingfoodspreparedwithwarmingspicesshouldbetakeninsmall

quantitiesonaregularbasis3‐5Xperdaywillresultinslowweightloss.Inordertoraiseagni,stronger

spicessuchastrikatucouldbetakenwithmeals.lxxxi

Delicioushome‐cookedmealsforkaphawithplentyoflegumes,wholegrainslikebarleyandcooked

vegetablesspicedgenerouslywiththyme,basil,mint,oregano,cumin,turmeric,freshgingerandblack

pepper.Avoidredmeat,dairy,colddrinksandsugar.lxxxii

MaryThompsonrecommendsmenopausalwomentoeatinaccordancewiththeirappetiteandnotwith

theirhistory.Watchportionsizewillhelppreventover‐eating.Toaskherselfthisquestion;whatisthe

rightamountoffoodforthisbody?


CONCLUSION

ClaudiaWelchputsitperfectly;“Wecanhaveamuchsmoothermenopauseifwehaveestablished

healthyhabitsearlier.”lxxxiiiHeadingintomenopausealreadydepletedisacausativefactorofhotflashes

plusothermenopausalsymptoms.Cleansingalsoplaysalargeroleinreducingandpossiblyeradicating

menopausalsymptoms.OneofthedoctorsinmyresearchmakesacorrelationbetweenPMSand

Menopausalsymptoms.Increasingojas,strengtheningthebodywithdoshicappropriatediet,good

healthyroutinestogroundVatainthistimeoftransitionandreducingamawithcleansingcanhelpto

reducesymptoms.

Mygoalinwritingthispaperwastoshowtheconnectionbetweenmenopause,rasa,ojasandhotflashes.

Iwasabletofindabundantinformationontheconnectionbetweendepletedojasandhotflashes.

Researchondepletedrasaandhotflasheswaslimited.


Endnotes

iPro.K.R.SrikanthaMurthy,AstangaHrdayamVolI,(GovernmentCollegeofIndianMedicine,Bangalore,PublisherKrishnadasAcademy,Varanasi,1995),section2,verse21b‐22ap.363iiP.V.Sharma,CarakaSamhitaVolII(chowkambaka),Ch.XXX,p.502,verses1‐40iiiNationalCenterforComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine,MenopausalSymptomsandComplementaryHealthPracticeshttp://nccam.nih.gov/health/menopause/menopausesymptomsivClaudiaWelch,p.115vDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine(SixthEdition),Vol.II(GrassValley,CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008)p.6‐35viWelch,p.113viiDr.SatDharamKaur,ND,Dr.MaryDanylak‐Arhanic,MD,Dr.CarolynDean,ND,MD,TheCompleteNaturalMedicineGuidetoWomen’sHealth(Toronto:RobertRoseInc.PublishingCo.,2005),p.274viiiChristianeNorthrup,M.D.,Women’sBodies,Women’sWisdom,(NewYork:BantamBooks,2006),p.551ixDr.ClaudiaWelch,MSOM,BalanceYourHormones,BalanceYourLife(Cambridge,DaCapoPress,2011),p.115xChristianeNorthrup,M.D.,Women’sBodies,Women’sWisdom,(NewYork:BantamBooks,2006),p.574xiTheNorthAmericanMenopauseSociety,ExpertAnswerstoFrequentlyAskedMenopauseQuestions.http://www.menopause.org/expertadvice2.aspx#hotflashesxiiDr.ClaudiaWelch,MSOM,BalanceYourHormones,BalanceYourLife(Cambridge,DaCapoPress,2011),p.115xiiiDr.SatDharamKaur,ND,Dr.MaryDanylak‐Arhanic,MD,Dr.CarolynDean,ND,MD,TheCompleteNaturalMedicineGuidetoWomen’sHealth,(Toronto:RobertRoseInc.PublishingCo.,2005),p.274xivKarenA.Matthews,Ph.D.andJoyceT.Bromberger,Ph.D.“SymptomsandHealth‐RelatedQualityofLifeandtheMenopausalTransition”(Bethesda:NIHState‐of‐the‐ScienceConferenceonManagementofMenopause‐RelatedSymptoms,March21−23,2005WilliamH.NatcherConferenceCenter,NationalInstitutesofHealth),p.39xvChristianeNorthrup,M.D.,Women’sBodies,Women’sWisdom,(NewYork:BantamBooks,2006),p.549xviDr.ClaudiaWelch,MSOM,BalanceYourHormones,BalanceYourLife(Cambridge,DaCapoPress,2011),p.116xviiNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page6xviiiChristianeNorthrup,M.D.,Women’sBodies,Women’sWisdom,(NewYork:BantamBooks,2006),p.551xixDr.ClaudiaWelch,MSOM,BalanceYourHormones,BalanceYourLife(Cambridge,DaCapoPress,2011),p.116xxDr.ClaudiaWelch,MSOM,BalanceYourHormones,BalanceYourLife(Cambridge,DaCapoPress,2011),p.117xxiNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page7xxiiPro.K.R.SrikanthaMurthy,AstangaHrdayamVol.III,(GovernmentCollegeofIndianMedicine,Bangalore,PublisherKrishnadasAcademy,Varanasi1995)section6,chapter33,verse23,p.320xxiiiNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page46xxivDr.DavidFrawley,AyurvedicHealing,AComprehensiveGuide(SaltLakeCity:PassagePress,1989)p.208xxvDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008)p.6‐39xxviDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008),p.6‐37


xxviiDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008),p.6‐39xxviiiPro.K.R.SrikanthaMurthy,AstangaHrdayamVol.III,(GovernmentCollegeofIndianMedicine,Bangalore,PublisherKrishnadasAcademy,Varanasi1995)section6,verse22,p.320xxixDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008),p.6‐39xxxNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page46xxxiDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008),p.6‐39xxxiiDr.DavidFrawley,AyurvedicHealing,AComprehensiveGuide(SaltLakeCity:PassagePress,1989)p.208xxxiiiDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008),p.6‐39xxxivDr.DavidFrawley,AyurvedicHealing,AComprehensiveGuide(SaltLakeCity:PassagePress,1989)p.208xxxvNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page47xxxviNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page51xxxviiVaidyaBhagwanDash,MateriaMedicaofAyurvedaBasedonAyurvedSaukhymaofTodarananda(NewDelhi,NaurangRaiConceptPublishingCo.1980),p. XXXIX–XLintroductionxxxviiiNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page100xxxixNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page86xlDr.VasantLad,M.A.Sc.,TextbookofAyurveda,AcompleteGuidetoClinicalAssessment,Vol.2(Albuquerque:TheAyurvedicPress,2006),p.239xliMaryThompson,FemaleReproductiveHealthlecture,CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,January25,2012,webexxliiNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page101xliiiDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008),p.6‐39xlivDr.VasantLad,TextbookofAyurveda,FundamentalPrinciplesofAyurveda,(Albuquerque:TheAyurvedicPress,2002),p.148xlvNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page68xlviNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page101xlviiDr.VasantLad,M.A.Sc.,TextbookofAyurveda,AcompleteGuidetoClinicalAssessment,Vol.2(Albuquerque:TheAyurvedicPress,2006),p.314xlviiiNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page97‐98xlixDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008),P.6‐39lSwamiSadaShivaTirtha,TheAyurvedaEncyclopedia(Bayville,NY:AyurvedaHolisticCenterPress,1998)p.508liDr.DavidFrawley,AyurvedicHealing,AComprehensiveGuide(SaltLakeCity:PassagePress,1989)p.207‐8liiDr.DavidFrawley,AyurvedicHealing,AComprehensiveGuide(SaltLakeCity:PassagePress,1989)p.207‐8liiiSwamiSadaShivaTirtha,TheAyurvedaEncyclopedia(Bayville,NY:AyurvedaHolisticCenterPress,1998)p.508livDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008),p.6‐39


lvDr.VasantLad,TextbookofAyurveda,FundamentalPrinciplesofAyurveda,(Albuquerque:TheAyurvedicPress,2002),p.148lviDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008)p.6‐39lviiDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008)p.6‐39lviiiDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008)p.6‐38‐39lixSebastionPole,AyurvedicMedicine,ThePrinciplesofTraditionalPractice(Philadelphia,PA:ElsevierLtd,2006),p.242lxNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page109‐110lxiEun‐OkIm,BokimLee,WonshikChee,AdamaBrown&SharonDormire,“MenopausalSymptomsAmongFourMajorEthnicGroupsintheU.S”WestJournalNursRes.(2010June)32(4):540–565lxiiKarenA.Matthews,Ph.D.andJoyceT.Bromberger,Ph.D.“SymptomsandHealth‐RelatedQualityofLifeandtheMenopausalTransition”(Bethesda:NIHState‐of‐the‐ScienceConferenceonManagementofMenopause‐RelatedSymptoms,March21−23,2005WilliamH.NatcherConferenceCenter,NationalInstitutesofHealth)p.38lxiiiEun‐OkImmBokimLee,WonshikChee,AdamaBrown&SharonDormire,“MenopausalSymptomsAmongFourMajorEthnicGroupsintheU.S”WestJournalNursRes.(2010June)32(4):540–565lxivMaryThompson,FemaleReproductiveHealthlecture,CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,January25,2012,webexlxvNationalCenterforComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine,MenopausalSymptomsandComplementaryHealthPracticeshttp://nccam.nih.gov/health/menopause/menopausesymptomslxviTheNorthAmericanMenopauseSociety,ExpertAnswerstoFrequentlyAskedMenopauseQuestions.http://www.menopause.org/expertadvice2.aspx#hotflasheslxviiDr.ClaudiaWelch,MSOM,BalanceYourHormones,BalanceYourLife(Cambridge,DaCapoPress,2011),p.117lxviii TheNorthAmericanMenopauseSociety,ExpertAnswerstoFrequentlyAskedMenopauseQuestions.http://www.menopause.org/expertadvice2.aspx#hotflasheslxixNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page170lxxDr.VasantLad,TextbookofAyurveda,FundamentalPrinciplesofAyurveda,(Albuquerque:TheAyurvedicPress,2002),p.148lxxiProv.K.R.SrikanthaMurphy,AstangaHrdayamVol3(KrishnadasAcademy),Ch.33,verses27b,p.310lxxiiNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page7lxxiiiNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page82lxxivNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page86lxxvNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page89lxxviDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008),P.6‐38lxxviiNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page60lxxviiiMaryThompson,FemaleReproductiveHealthlecture,CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,January25,2012,webexlxxixDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008),P.6‐39lxxxNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page60lxxxiDr.MarcHalpern,TextbookofClinicalAyurvedicMedicine,(SixthEdition)Vol.2(GrassValley,CA:CaliforniaCollegeofAyurveda,2008),P.6‐39lxxxiiNancyLonsdorf,MD,TheAgelessWoman,(MCDCenturyPublications,2004),page60


lxxxiiiDr.ClaudiaWelch,MSOM,BalanceYourHormones,BalanceYourLife(Cambridge,DaCapoPress,2011),p.113

AbstractsEun‐OkImm,BokimLee,WonshikChee,AdamaBrown&SharonDormire,“MenopausalSymptomsAmongFourMajorEthnicGroupsintheU.S”WestJournalNursRes.(2010June)32(4):540–565ThepurposeofthestudywastoexploreethnicdifferencesinsymptomsexperiencedduringthemenopausaltransitionamongfourmajorethnicgroupsintheU.S.Thisstudywasdoneviaacross‐sectionalInternetsurveyamong512midlifewomenrecruitedusingaconveniencesampling.Theinstrumentsincluded:questionsonbackgroundcharacteristics,health,andmenopausalstatus,andtheMidlifeWomen’sSymptomIndex.Thedatawasanalyzedusingdescriptiveandinferentialstatistics.Significantethnicdifferencesinthetotalnumberandseverityofthesymptomswerefound.Themostfrequentlyreportedsymptomsandpredictorsofthetotalnumberandseverityofthesymptomsdifferedbyethnicidentity.Morein‐depthculturalstudiesareneededtounderstandthereasonsfortheethnicdifferencesinmenopausalsymptomexperience.PMCID: PMC3033753

NIHMSID: NIHMS268206

KarenA.Matthews,Ph.D.andJoyceT.Bromberger,Ph.D.“SymptomsandHealth‐RelatedQualityofLifeandtheMenopausalTransition”(Bethesda:NIHState‐of‐the‐ScienceConferenceonManagementofMenopause‐RelatedSymptoms,March21−23,2005WilliamH.NatcherConferenceCenter,NationalInstitutesofHealth),p.39

SymptomsandHealth‐RelatedQualityofLifeandtheMenopausalTransitionKarenA.Matthews,Ph.D.andJoyceT.Bromberger,Ph.D.Theobjectivesofthispaperareto:(1)definehealth‐relatedqualityoflife;(2)describethemeasuresofqualityoflifethathavebeenusedinstudiesofthemenopausaltransition;(3)evaluatetheeffectsofthemenopausaltransitiononqualityoflife;and(4)identifykeygapsinourknowledgeabouttheeffectsofmenopauseonhealth‐relatedqualityoflife.

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research Paper Menopause - Ca College Of Ayurveda · Menopause, Deva Khalsa 4 When menopause is induced by surgery or radiation, which radically alters the yoni it