MENOPAUSE
Meno matters
In the third and final part of our ayurvedic look at menopause, JoWebber shares how lifestyle adjustments can help you navigate the transition and come out the other side thriving!
W E ALL KNOWTOO much stress can be harmful to our health. How youmanage – or don’tmanage – the stresses and strains of life can have a knockon effect on how you experience menopause. Froman ayurvedic perspective, there needs to be asmuch emphasis on reducing stress at this time of life as there is on balancing hormones. This makes sense when you think that the stress response is also managed by hormones, such as adrenalin and cortisol. When you’re stressed, your body’s resources, which should be used for producing sex hormones such as oestrogen, are diverted towards making stress hormones. And to make things worse, the surge of adrenaline caused by stress can directly trigger hot flushes and irritability.
1TRY AYURVEDIC MASSAGE
Massage can be very helpful in supporting both perimenopause and post-menopause. Regular self-massage or professional massage with warm oil can help improve circulation as well as calm your nervous system and prevent dry skin. It’s best to massage first thing every morning. If time is short, focus on your head and soles of feet. You can also do the massage in the evening. Aim for 10-15 minutes. 1 Use cold-pressed, organic oils. Sesame oil is a good one. Warm the oil first by putting the bottle in hot water for a few minutes. 2 Cover yourself in 50ml of oil, top to toe. Use the open palms of your hands and flat fingers, and work from the centre of each limb, outwards. Use linear strokes on your arms and legs, and circular ones around your joints, scalp and navel. Be gentle on your chest and stomach, but be more vigorous on your limbs. 3 Leave the oil on for 10 minutes. Try to leave the oil on when you’ve finished, then wash it off in a hot bath or shower. Dry yourself with an old towel.
NB: Don’t massage when you’re not well, have a full stomach or during your period.
2 VAGINAL DOUCHING
Also known as uttara basti, this involves using herbs such as triphala, shatavari, aloe vera, raspberry leaf, rose and liquorice, boiled in water then cooled to make a cleansing or nourishing decoction to be used internally. Although vaginal dryness is common around menopause, some people experience increased vaginal discharge. Indeed, vaginal discharge and infections are the second most common symptoms after vaginal dryness. Douching with herbs can be very effective. This is seen as the single most essential ayurvedic practice for women, from menarche to menopause and beyond. With proper guidance, this is a simple practice to use at home for self-care.
3 VAGINAL STEAMING
Made popular by Gwyneth Paltrow on er blog Goop, vaginal steami g or yoni steaming involves sitting or sq
