How Ayurveda can be used to support women’s health

How can Ayurveda be used to support women’s health, including erratic menstrual cycles?

According to a recent survey, about 90% of women of all ages suffer from one or more gynecological disorders. Therefore, there is a need for a safe and effective way for women to maintain health during each phase of her life.

Ayurveda treatises have dedicated a few chapters exclusively on women’s health and maintenance. Maintaining good health early in life is important as the Vata-Pitta-Kapha in a women’s body are more prone to undergo imbalances due to the complex physiology involved in the menstrual cycle. Imbalance of these affects not only her health, but also the health of her progeny.

Ayurveda recommends increased intake of foods that are sour, salty, spices; sesame oil, sesame seeds, urud dal, horse gram, dill seeds for improving the reproductive health of feminine gender.

According to Ayurveda, menstrual cycle is a natural cleansing process occurring in women every month. If this process is regular, then it itself heals the imbalanced doshas and purifies the tissues. So, maintaining and correcting a disturbed menstrual cycle is of utmost importance in Ayurveda.

Imbalance of doshas can lead menstruation-related issues. Wrong habits to avoid are excessive physical strain and long duration exercises; exercise at night time; regular long journeys; keeping awake at nights; skipping meals; going on crash diets; habitual suppression of natural urges such as hunger, thirst, urination; fear; worries; overthinking; dry food intake; and untimely eating.

Excessive consumption of chicken; fish; millets; sprouts  can cause issues like heavy menstruation, bleeding or spotting between menstrual cycle, premenstrual symptoms, mood irritability, hot flushes.

Excess and over intake of curds and yoghurt; cold foods and exposure to cold; over intake of foods such as newly harvested grains, refined foods, unboiled milk, jaggery, dates, banana, meats, milk products, sugar, ghee; over eating; day time sleeping; sedentary lifestyles can lead to conditions including uterine fibroids, PCOS, insulin resistance, scanty and/or delayed menstruation.

There are no single remedies or magic recipes to a healthy menstrual cycle. It is important to follow an Ayurveda based day-night routines which is based on the circadian rhythm for proper menstrual health.

Consult your Ayurveda doctor for more personalized tips for menstrual health.