The Ayurvedic Perspective on Menstruation, Perimenopause and Menopause
I want to share with you the Ayurvedic perspective on menstruation, perimenopause and menopause. I am currently witnessing changes in my body due to Perimenopause. When I speak to friends and clients about their experience it is always eye opening. This topic has been taboo in our society. Until recently, women were not even studied in modern Western medicine. Relatively very little is known about menstrual and menopausal symptoms and pain management. I have had so many clients who have been on the pill their whole lives or who have had ablations, partial or even full hysterectomies just to manage the pain or difficulties associated with our cycles. These treatments are often given without looking for the root cause.
The Ayurvedic View of Menstruation
Ayurveda, the “knowledge of life” is the ancient healing science from India. It views menstruation as a monthly cleanse for girls and women. The symptoms experienced during a women’s menstrual cycle are a barometer that measures the person’s overall health. Ayurveda says that any symptom, including PMS during menses is a sign of doshic imbalance. When I learned this, I was shocked. How could it be that the symptoms I had been experiencing monthly for decades were something that I could shift? Why had no one told me this before?
Vata Imbalance in Menstruation
Cramping, lower back pain, irregular or absent cycles, a flow that stops and starts again, a period that stains clothing, constipation, gas and indigestion are all signs of excess Vata in your body.
Pitta Imbalance in Menstruation
Excess heat in your body will prevent the blood from clotting and lead to heavy and prolonged bleeding. This can cause you to become exhausted, irritable and even anemic. Women with a Pitta imbalance can experience acne or loose stools during their period.
Kapha Imbalance in Menstruation
Bloating and swelling, breast tenderness, depression, lethargy, cramping or a period with blot clots
The Ayurvedic View on Perimenopause and Menopause
Rajonivrtti/Menopause is a change from the Pitta stage of life to the Vata stage of life. Therefore, we often see an increase in Vata (dry, light, cold, instability & movement). There can also be a rise in Pitta as Vata and Pitta compete for dominance. This may show up as heat and inflammation. If doshas are aggravated they can create other peri & menopausal symptoms. This is time when our body’s tissues (dhatus) are beginning to get depleted, so we have changes in menstruation, skin, muscle tone, libido, bone density, hair and nails.
Vata Imbalance in Perimenopause and Menopause
Headaches, heart palpitations, osteoporosis (osteopenia), gas, bloating, constipation, dryness, arthritis, insomnia, numbness, weight around the middle, mood swings, forgetfulness and more.
Pitta Imbalance in Perimenopause and Menopause
Hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, burning sensations, UTIs, bad smelling sweat that stains, skin rashes or hypertension.
Kapha Imbalance in Perimenopause and Menopause
Weight gain, lethargy, yeast infections, edema, brain fog or delayed digestion.
The Good News
There are simple changes to your diet and lifestyle that can help you come back into balance. There are herbs that help us to ease our doshic flare ups. If menstruation is a barometer of your health, you can make adjustments and heal imbalances. This is the same for perimenopause and menopause. Many cultures believe that menopause is the start of your Wise Women Years. It is an opportunity. Ayurveda gives us the knowledge to make our Wisdom Years long and healthy.
Join me for my workshop Ayurveda, Perimenopause & Menopause on June 6, 2026