Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr

to  Menopause in Ayurveda

Introduction• The Geriatrics

is a developing 

field of caring aged population• A women care is essential as 

to care the major population  of aged and to care the family  care system

• Ayurveda have shown its  integrity and responsibility of 

caring women from birth to  finale passing stages of  

menarche and menopause

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

Global scenario • Over 65 aged world’s population by 2025 will increase by 

10%• Where in the Asia will see the proportion of its elderly 

population almost double, i.e. from 6% of 2000 becomes  10% in 2025

• It is found that there will be Feminization Of Aging (more  women than men of older age)

• 2025 scenario exhibits, – 54% of people between the ages 60 and above, – 63 % of very old people (80 and above). – Thus the disease burden appears significantly more in 

women compared to men

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

Indian Scenario• Indian Women (rural / urban) suffer 

from chronic diseases– 93.5% women have insufficient 

nutrition intake– 26% women have low physical 

activity– 1 in 4 women suffer from high 

blood pressure– 4 in 5 women have high risk obesity 

(waist hip ratio) that  increases  cardiovascular disease risk

– physically immobile percentage of  persons is also high among women

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

Specific Health Concerns of Older Women in India

• In India an average female life  expectancy

in 2011 is 68 years and is 

projected an increase to 73 years by  2021

• The estimated mean age of menopause is 46 years in India, and is lower than 

that of the Caucasians• An early age of menopause

predisposes 

a women to chronic health disorders a  decade earlier than the Caucasian 

women•

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

68 y

ears

2011

73 y

ears

2021

Female life expectancy

It is reported  that . . .

• 10-20 years earlier osteoporotic fractures

• 4.4% of Asian women at a younger age have 1st myocardial infarction attack than in European women

• 10 years earlier Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) than the Caucasians

• Before the age of 50 years Breast cancer incidence peaks

• From 1990 to 2020 115% cardiovascular disease (CVD) increase

• From 1990 to 2020 104% cerebrovascular incidence

• The mean BMD of Indian women is two SDs lower than western

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

These facts indicate the need to have a well- planned effective Preventive and cost effective system in place to promote a healthy and an active ageing population.

Steps to improved 

health of Older 

Women through 

Ayurveda

• One cannot ‘improve’

health of an older  woman without improving her health in  childhood, adolescence and in childbearing 

years

• Older women’s compromised quality of life  is not due to age alone even it is because of  many factors 

• Ayurveda got the potentiality for aged–– Prevention, – Promotion of health and 

– Management of diseases

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

• Ayurveda considers the 7 dhatu potentiate through Panchakarma and Rasayana

• Panchakarma is a bio-cleansing program comprising of five main procedures to revert vitiated Three Dosha.

• Rasayana deals with the tissue degeneration and loss related to ageing and tissue regularization

• Rasayana is a method to control / slow down / minimizing the aging process

• Rasayana becomes more fruitful and effective if it is preceded with suitable Panchakarma

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

Ayurvedic

Approach to Menopause• Ayurveda

says that menopause mark a natural 

transition

in one’s life where in the conventional 

model represents menopause as “ovarian failure”– It’s been seen as a disease, a disorder‐an 

abnormal lack of hormones that creates health 

problems• Each woman's menopause experience is unique • It is nature’s protective phenomenon against 

reproductive morbidity and mortality in the ageing 

population• Ayurveda considers that ‐

it is a transition from a 

time where life is dominated by Pitta

(Young age) 

to one dominated by Vata (Old age)

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

CCRAS approved Preventive Protocol for  Menopausal Syndrome

A.

Prevention through Achara

Rasayana (Dincharya,ritu

charya

& Sadvritta)

1. Consumption of godhuma

(wheat), old rice, mudga

(green gram), soya, 

fresh seasonal fruits, ghee, nuts, milk etc.

2. Regular medicated oil massage and exposure to mild sun light

3. Practice personal and social good conduct

4. Maintain healthy body weight

5. Regular exercises, yoga and meditation

6. Control of blood pressure and cholesterol levels

7. Use of calcium supplements and diet rich in calcium and antioxidants

8. Use of rasayana

drugs

9. Avoid heavy and unwholesome food, excess pungent, salty and sour food 

items etc.

10. Avoid excessive physical exertion

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

CCRAS approved Preventive Protocol for  Menopausal Syndrome

B. Yogic Practices

‐

The following yogic practices are beneficial in 

menopausal syndrome; however, these should be performed only 

under the guidance of qualified Yoga therapist. 

• 1. Suryanamaskara, Tadasana, Katicakrasana, Vajrasana, 

Ushtrasana, Sarvangasana,

• Setubandhasana, Baddhakonasana, Pavanamuktasana, 

Upavishtakonasana, Merudandasanchalanasana

• 2. Bhramari, Nadishodhana, Shitali

pranayama

• 3. Moolabandha

with Ashvini

mudra

• 4. Deep relaxation technique/ Yoga nidra/ Nadi

anusandhana.

C. Counseling Advice the patient to develop positive approach towards 

menopause

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

Preventive Aspect and Treatment Protocol for Menopausal 

Syndrome continued…….Medical managementLine of treatment1. Shodhana

chikitsa

(bio‐cleansing therapies) / other 

therapeutic procedures followed byshaman

chikitsa

(palliative therapy) should be advocated.

i. Snehana: Gentle massage with medicated oils such as :•

Mahanarayana

taila

•

Kshirabala

taila•

Mahamasha

taila

•

Bala

tail

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

Preventive Aspect and Treatment Protocol for 

Menopausal Syndrome continued…….

ii. Internal Snehana

(internal oleation) with  medicated ghrita

(Sukumara

ghrita/

• Dadimadi

ghrita

etc) 50 ml with 2‐3 gm  saindhava

lavana

daily for 3‐7 days before

• panchakarma

(bio‐cleansing procedure)iii. Sirodhara

with Yashtimadhu

kashaya

and 

milk 45 minutes daily for 15 daysiv. Takra

dhara

45 minutes daily for 15 days

v. Matra

vasti

with Dhanvantara

taila

/  Sukumara

ghrita

50 ml daily for 15 days

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

Drug Dosage (per dose)

MOA/ Vehicle* Duration**

For debilityShatavari Churna 1 -3gm Water/ milk 15 daysAmalki Churna 1 -3gm Water 15 daysMadhuyashti Churna

1 -3gm Water 15 days

Ashwagandha Churna

3gm Milk 15 days

For fragile bonesAsthishrinkhala Churna

1 -3gm Water 15 days

Kukkutanda twaka bhasma

250mg Milk/ Water 15 days

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

Drug Dosage (per dose) MOA/ Vehicle* Duration**

For excessive bleeding

Pushyanuga

Churna 1 ‐3gm Rice water 15 days

Chandraprabha

Vati 1.5 gm Water 15 days

Lodhrasava 10‐20 ml Water 15 days

Ashokaarishta 10‐20 ml Water 15 days

Sukumara

Ghrita 10 gm Warm milk/ Warm water 15 days

Dadimadi

Ghrita 30‐50 ml Warm water 3‐7 days

For hot flushes / night sweats/ burning sensation

Prawala

Pishti 250‐500mg Water 15 days

Mukta

Pishti 250‐500mg Water/Milk 15 days

Chandanasava 10‐20 ml Water 15 days

Usheerasava 10‐20 ml Water 15 days

Kamadudha

Ras 125‐250 mg Water 15 days

Dhanwantar

Taila for matra

vasti 15 days

For debility/ anaemia

Ashwagandharishta 10‐20 ml Water 15 days

Shatavari

Guda 6 gm Milk 15 days

Lohasava 10‐20 ml Water 15 days

For insomnia/ mood swings

Manas

mitra

Vatkam 125 ml Milk 15 days

Brahmi

Vati 125‐250 mg Milk 15 days

Brahma Rasayana 10 gm thrice daily Milk 15 days

For fragile bones

Lakshadi

Taila for matra

vasti 15 days

Dhanwantar

Taila for matra

vasti 15 days

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

1. Kuppurajan etal, Effect of Aswagandha (Withania somnifera) on the process of ageing in Human volunteers . Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha.

2. Clinical and Experimental trial of Guggulu (Medoroga). 1989, Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha, Janakpuri, New Delhi.

Health status improvement RCTs• Aswagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder 3 gm.

was showed significant increase in Haemoglobin, RBC count, hair melanin and decrease in serum cholesterol and ESR (1).

• Guggulu( Commiphora wightii ) Cardinal clinical manifestations of disease like precordial pain and dyspnoea were relieved in in most of the cases in a clinical study tried with Guggulu . The reversal of ECG changes substantiated the anti-ischaemic effect of the drug in the treatment of ischemic heart diseases (2).

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

1. Bichile, LS et al., Double blind randomized controlled trial of Sallaki Vs Diclofenac in treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis, Select Research Papers on Evidence Based drugs in Ayurveda, Dept of ISM&H, Ministry of Health, Government of India, New Delhi-2000. 3

2. NB Brindavanam, N.Bhattacharya, C.K.Katiyar and DBA Narayana – Multi-facetted protective Role of Rasayana Therapy: A review of investigations on Cyawanprasa– Ayurvedic Conference on Rasayana 2002, Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth

3. Dahanukar et al., Immunotherapy with Tinospora cordifolia: A new lead in the management of obstructive jaundice by Tinospora cordifolia, Indian J Gastroenterol, 12 (1993) 5.

Health status improvement RCTs• Anti-inflammatory (1)

– Sallaki (Boswelia serrata)-• Immunomodulatory activity

– Cyawanprasa (2), – Guduchi (3) (Tinospora cordifolia) -

Geriatric Women Healthcare wsr to Menopause in Ayurveda

Dr. Priyanka Gupta

Conclusion 

• Ayurveda is showing its face in 

improving and regulating the Global 

Health Scenario • The involvement in protecting the aged 

especially the women population who 

are under the influence of different 

systemic diseases before and after 

menopause –– Is achieved through different 

dietetic and regimen or medicines 

by Ayurveda proves its efficacy 

through RCTs. – Still more women centered health 

care modules are required to satisfy 

the needs of 2025.