Ayurveda For Women’s Health

 

Women are an integral part of the earth as they are bestowed with the superpower of creation. They endure a lot of pain and stress throughout their life, going through a series of changes that include menarche, pregnancy, postnatal period, and menopause as some of the significant ones. All these stages cause substantial hormonal imbalances leading to physiological as well as emotional alterations. However, Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine known for its holistic approach, assists in the treatment of the resulting diseases due to such imbalances. Besides, women’s health is indispensable for a healthy future generation and including an ayurvedic diet and lifestyle can empower women physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Menarche, which is the onset of menstruation, can occur in girls from 10 to 15 years. It varies between communities taking into account the variations in lifestyle. According to Ayurveda, early or late menarche indicates health issues. It can also be due to genetics, nutrition, stress levels, bodyweight, etc. After the onset, women experience menstrual disorders like irregular menstrual cycles, dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) due to which women skip menstrual periods, and menorrhagia or heavy bleeding. These problems are alleviated with Ayurveda which balances the doshas and hormones, whose imbalance is the root cause for such disorders. Further, following an ayurvedic diet and lifestyle helps ease the difficulties.

Pregnancy is a significant time in a woman’s life, and so maintaining good health is crucial before, during, and after pregnancy. And, Ayurveda helps a mother-to-be cope with the struggles of pregnancy. Besides, it is best for women to follow an ayurvedic lifestyle before conceiving, and even after delivery. Following Ayurveda before getting pregnant enables a woman to condition her mind and body to bear a child and to give natural birth. During pregnancy, it advises a diet incorporating fats and oils to gain enough weight and also to nourish the baby. The diet should consist of pure and fresh foods instead of processed foods. Moreover, cooked food is to be consumed for better digestion. Including organic dairy, dried fruits, nuts, cereals, pulses, leafy greens, fruits, spices, etc, are also recommended. Ayurvedic massages like Abhyanga can benefit both the mother and the baby as it provides enough nourishment. Similarly, Shirodhara can be a great stress reliever. Further, there are other therapies to support the health of the mother and the child. Also, after childbirth, throughout the postnatal period, Ayurveda lends a hand in regaining the mother’s strength and in the growth of the newborn.

Another crucial stage of a woman’s life that affects both her mental and physical health is menopause. It is a natural transitional phase women experience in their 40s or 50s, marking the end of menstrual cycles. This stage accompanies a lot of bodily and psychological troubles such as hot flushes, vaginal atrophy, frequent urination, anxiety, insomnia, mood fluctuations, to name a few. However, Ayurveda through an effective diet regulates the hormones, stabilizes the mind, and calms the nerves, providing deep relaxation. Furthermore, the consequences related to the body are alleviated with the help of ayurvedic massages and therapies.

Conclusively, Ayurveda with its diets and therapies assists women in dealing with the common health issues over their lifetime very naturally. Further, combining Yoga and meditation is highly recommended alongside ayurvedic treatments. Yoga enhances physical endurance while meditation gives relaxation, consequently making the ayurvedic remedies even more.