Ayurveda is holistic health care for repairing the body and teaching it to thrive, thus living a life of greater comfort, ease and bliss. Ayurveda has best natural health supplements and products to manage the changes in the body right from puberty to menopause. A women goes through different phases namely – menarche, menstruation and menopause. Ayurveda recommends specific diet and lifestyle regimen to be followed during these different phases to maintain health.
All the three doshas are always present in the body but relative predominance of doshas changes in different conditions or ages. For e.g. Artava (Menstrual blood) being Agneya (Predominance of Fire element) in property hence there will be Pitta dominance during menstrual phase. So women should follow specific diet and lifestyle according to the state of health and dosha predominance at different stages of her life in order to maintain health.
The following table illustrates the status of doshas in different stages of a women’s life.
| Classification of Age | Sub classification | Age limit (years) | Changes in body | Status of Doshas |
| Balyavastha (Childhood) | Bala | 10 | General development | Kapha predominant |
| Kumari | 10 to 12 | Development of secondary sexual characters | Kapha predominant | |
| Rajomati | 12 to 16 | Menarche and the lady is capable of conception | Kapha & Pitta predominant | |
| Madhyamavastha (Middle Age) | Yuvati | 16 to 40 | Maximum reproductive capacity, full maturity | Pitta & Kapha predominant |
| Praudhavastha | 40 – 50 | Pre menopause | Pitta & Vata predominant | |
| Adhirudha | After 50 | Menopause | Mainly Vata predominant and Pitta second predominant | |
| Vriddhavastha (Old age) | Vrddha | After 55 or 60 | General decline | Vata predominant |
Lifestyle guidelines during menarche
Ayurveda opines that menarche is generally attained at 12 years of age. During this phase a girl should adopt healthy diet and lifestyle to support the physiological changes in her body. Staying awake at night for long hours, sleeping during daytime, sedentary lifestyle without much physical activity, excessive exposure to sexual content in television, internet, etc. should be avoided.
Common health problems during menarche –Amenorrhoea, Oligomenorrhoea
Herbs recommended – Shatavari, Kumari, Hingu, Ajamoda
During menstruation
During menstrual phase, a woman should take nutritious diet, which is freshly prepared, light to digest, warm and unctuous. She should restrict excess intake of salt, spicy food, fried food, processed food items. She should avoid excessive physical activity, strenuous physical exercise, sexual indulgence, mental strain, exposure to excessive wind, sunlight, etc.
Common problems during Menstruation – PMS (Pre – Menstrual syndrome), Menorrhagia, Metrorrhagia, Dysmenorrhea, PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome)
Recommended herbs –Lodhra, Shatavari, Manjishta, Ashoka, Triphala, Yavani
During Menopause
Menopause!! This is a “pause” period of the menstrual cycle. This phase is an important corner of the life for a female, which brings a lot of changes in her life. Ayurveda explains that menopause occurs due to ageing which is a ‘Vata’ predominant stage of life. Common menopausal symptoms experienced are Hot flushes, Night sweats, Mood swings, Palpitations and Vaginal dryness. Strengthening and rejuvenating diet, ghee and milk are advised. Yoga, meditation and exercise should be done daily. One should avoid excessive physical strain and mental stress.
Common health problems during menopause – Obesity, Improper lipid metabolism, Osteoporosis, Thyroid imbalance
Recommended herbs – Shatavari, Guduchi, Amalaki, Gokshur, Brahmi, Sariva
Diet and Lifestyle regimen during menopause
Ayurveda is a holistic health care system and its main principle is keeping the body toned in tune with the nature. Women are complex and delicate and they can be benefited with Ayurveda. Ayurvedic healthcare is the perfect solution for women to maintain health, beauty and zest.
This article is written by Vaidya Mita Kotecha, Professor & HOD Dravyaguna department, NIA, Jaipur.