Menopause: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

What is Menopause?

Menopause is the natural, irreversible end of menstrual cycles, usually occurring in midlife, defined after 12 consecutive months without menstruation. The transition (perimenopause) may involve fluctuating hormones causing hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleep disturbance, vaginal dryness, joint pain and changes in bone density.

Important Safety Note

Ayurvedic care can significantly relieve menopausal symptoms but does not replace medical assessment for specific risks (e.g., osteoporosis, cardiovascular risk, severe mood disorders). If you have alarming symptoms or are on hormone therapy or other medications, coordinate care with your physician before beginning treatments.

Ayurvedic Care Strategy for Menopause

• Assessment & coordination: review medical history, bone health, medications and cardiovascular risk if relevant.
• Symptom-targeted therapies: calming treatments for hot flashes/sleep; nourishing therapies to counteract dryness and weakness.
• Herbal support: adaptogenic and female-tonic herbs (e.g., Shatavari) to support endocrine balance and tissue nourishment.
• Lifestyle & diet: cooling, nourishing foods, regular gentle exercise, sleep hygiene and stress management (yoga, pranayama, meditation).
• Individualized plan: combine external therapies (massage, dhara) with internal herbs and behavior changes tailored to the patient's dominant Dosha pattern and medical status.

Therapies Useful in Menopause — with reference images

Therapies below are commonly used at Ayurvedic clinics to relieve vasomotor symptoms, restore sleep, calm the nervous system, reduce joint pain and nourish tissues. Only therapies relevant to menopause are shown; each includes a reference photo. All treatments are individualized and require clinician assessment.

Abhyanga (Warm Oil Massage)

What it is: Daily or clinic-based full-body massage using nourishing, Pitta- and Vata-pacifying oils (e.g., sesame + cooling herbal infusions).

• Reduces anxiety, improves sleep, eases joint stiffness and restores moisture to tissues.
• Helps regulate autonomic balance and may reduce frequency/intensity of hot flashes when combined with cooling oils and protocols.

Shirodhara (Forehead Pouring)

What it is: Continuous, gentle pouring of warm oil or herbal decoction on the forehead to calm the nervous system.

• Excellent for sleep problems, irritability, tension and hot flashes driven by nervous hyperarousal.
• Often used as a short course (multiple sessions) to re-train sleep and reduce stress-related symptoms.

Nasyam (Nasal Therapy)

What it is: Application of mild medicated oils/drops through the nose to balance head/neck autonomic centers.

• Helps with headaches, sleep, mood and appetite regulation; supports the neuro-hormonal axis gently.
• Given in low, liver- and medication-safe formulations in clinic settings.

Udvartana (Herbal Powder Massage)

What it is: Dry herbal powder massage performed to improve circulation, reduce localized fat and improve skin/tissue tone.

• Useful for weight management, lymphatic stimulation and improving metabolism during menopausal transition.
• Also helps with heaviness and sluggishness that occurs with metabolic changes.

Njavara Kizhi (Nourishing Bolus Therapy)

What it is: Warm Njavara rice boluses cooked in herbal decoctions applied to the body to deeply nourish tissues.

• Helps rebuild strength, improve sleep and relieve generalized weakness or body pain common in peri/postmenopause.
• Particularly useful when Vata dryness and loss of tissue nourishment are prominent.

Patra Potli / Churna Potli (Herbal Poultice)

What it is: Warm herbal poultices (leaf or powdered potli) applied over joints or lower abdomen to relieve pain and local congestion.

• Useful for localized joint pain, pelvic discomfort and to improve circulation in stiff, painful areas.
• Select herbs and temperature are adjusted to reduce heat (Pitta) or dryness (Vata) as needed.

Kati Vasti (Lower Back Oil Retention)

What it is: A warm oil reservoir is retained over the lower back/pelvis to relieve back pain, sciatica and pelvic discomfort.

• Helpful for low back pain, pelvic ache or muscular tension commonly experienced during menopause.
• Provides targeted nourishment and Vata pacification in the pelvic-lumbar region.

Basti (Medicated Enema) — Selected Use

What it is: Medicated oil or decoction administered rectally to balance Vata and support the gut–body axis.

• Used when Vata predominance is causing insomnia, joint pain, dryness or nervous symptoms — prescribed selectively and under supervision.
• Restorative basti protocols are chosen based on constitution and clinical need; not used indiscriminately.

Herbs, Nutrition & Lifestyle

Choose herbs with evidence-informed safety and compatibility with your medical history. All internal medicines should be prescribed by a qualified Ayurvedic physician, especially if you are on other medications.

If you have osteoporosis risk, cardiovascular disease or are using hormone therapy, coordinate herbal and procedural care with your physician and consider targeted screening (DEXA bone scan, lipid profile) as recommended.

Sample Clinic Plans for Menopausal Support (examples)

Plans are illustrative; actual prescription depends on constitution (Prakriti), current symptoms (Vikriti) and medical context.

Quick Reference — Therapies & Roles