Did you know that according to recent statistics, India faces significant health challenges among women? From reproductive issues to mental health concerns, women often bear the brunt of societal pressures and biological complexities.
About 30% of women in India experience reproductive health issues and mental health disorders affect around 20% of women. Women’s health is a treasure that must be maintained with the utmost attention. A woman’s body undergoes incredible modifications and variances from the time she reaches adolescence until the life-changing stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause.
Unfortunately, disrupting this delicate balance can lead to a variety of women’s-specific health difficulties. However, with the support of Ayurveda, women may embark on a path of healing and rejuvenation, regaining their well-being with grace and vitality.
Ayurveda shines a ray of hope in a world where stress, the environment, and hormone imbalances may all harm women’s health. The system of medicine recognizes that women need special care as they navigate the tangled web of their lives.
Ayurveda provides women with the skills they need to embark on a life-changing journey toward robust health by balancing the Doshas and supporting overall well-being. As an Ayurvedic doctor, I’ll shed light on how Ayurveda can be a game changer for women’s health. So, let’s dive in.
Let’s talk about women’s health first!
When we discuss women’s health, we recognize that it encompasses various issues at different stages of a woman’s life. Every woman goes through several massive changes over her lifetime. Menarche, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause are vital changes.
The uterus, ovary, and breast are the three organs that carry out these physiologic functions. The vagina is another organ that is essential to a woman’s overall health. Female hormones are vital in many physiological and emotional changes, making them equally important factors.
Women have unique health challenges, ranging from pregnancy and menopause to gynaecological disorders such as uterine fibroids and pelvic floor abnormalities. Only women are impacted by the following health conditions. While some other ailments afflict males, they affect women more severely.
Gynaecological issues affecting women include menstruation and menstrual irregularities, urinary tract health, such as urinary incontinence and pelvic floor disorders, and ailments such as bacterial vaginosis, vaginitis, uterine fibroids, and vulvodynia.
Pregnancy-related issues include prenatal care, miscarriage, early birth, preterm labour, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), breastfeeding, and birth challenges. Uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and primary ovarian insufficiency are some of the disorders associated with infertility.
An add-on is the societal expectations of a woman centred on her weight and looks, in which she continually stresses herself out to try to achieve the perfect figure, unaware that it indirectly impacts their mental health as well.
How does Ayurveda come to the rescue?
Ayurvedic beliefs highlight that every woman is unique, and her health is affected by her distinct constitution, or Dosha, which might be Vata, Pitta or Kapha dominant. Menstruation, pregnancy, parenthood, and menopause are all distinct life stages that women will experience over their lives.
The ancient method also clarifies the importance of diet, natural medicines, and lifestyle choices. They are created exclusively for a woman’s requirements. These practices also highlighted the value of self-care, stress management, and emotional balance.
Hormonal Balance
Ayurvedic medicines and treatments assist in managing the hormonal fluctuations that women regularly experience. They treat conditions including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irregular periods, and menopausal symptoms.
Fertility and Reproductive Health
Ayurveda offers extensive recommendations for increasing fertility and improving reproductive health. It’s accomplished by food recommendations, natural remedies and lifestyle changes.
Menstrual Health
Ayurvedic medicines for monthly discomfort include particular herbs, warm oil massages, and heat therapies to relieve cramps, bloating, and mood swings.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Care
Ayurveda encourages a healthy pregnancy and a quick postpartum recovery. It offers advice on a healthy diet, prenatal yoga, herbal medicines, and complementary therapies for the mother and child’s health.
Menopausal Support
Ayurveda uses herbal supplements, changes in diet, and relaxation techniques to assist people manage menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, nocturnal sweating, mood swings, and insomnia.
Ayurvedic Practices for Women’s Health
Let us now look at some of the Ayurvedic techniques that are advised for improving women’s health.
Abhyanga
Abhyanga, the Ayurvedic practice of self-massage, is one of the most beneficial ways for women to care for their minds and bodies. The mild ritual consists of applying warm oil to the body. It has several benefits in addition to relaxing.
The process also helps to improve blood circulation and calm the nervous system. Abhyanga is particularly effective for women facing discomfort or menopausal symptoms. The therapy also helps to keep the joints lubricated and the skin healthy. Abhyanga promotes a profound connection with one’s body and increases self-awareness daily/anytime you desire some self-care.
Yoga and Pranayama
Yoga and pranayama (breathing exercises) are two of the most effective methods advised by Ayurveda for women’s health. These activities promote body-mind harmony, making them crucial for emotional and physical well-being. Yoga positions, or asanas, can help with common conditions, including menstruation cramps and back discomfort.
They increase flexibility, strength, and posture for women of all ages. In contrast, pranayama focuses on breath control. Practising these strategies can be beneficial. They are a great way to relieve tension and relax your thoughts. These techniques are readily adapted to any age group and can be performed with or without the assistance of an Ayurvedic doctor.
Herbal Remedies
Ayurveda offers a wealth of herbal therapies for addressing typical women’s health concerns. Several herbs give significant health advantages to women. They help promote hormonal balance, making them ideal for menstruation irregularities and menopausal symptoms.
Turmeric and ginger are well-known home treatments for digestive and inflammatory disorders. They are identified as the root cause of a variety of women’s health issues. Herbal drinks such as chamomile and peppermint might help relieve tension and anxiety.
Fenugreek seeds can benefit nursing women by increasing milk supply. Ayurvedic medicines and therapies are natural and compassionate, offering an alternative or supplementary treatment to contemporary therapy.
Meditation and Mindfulness
In today’s contemporary society, stress and anxiety have become part of a woman’s life. As a result, Ayurveda emphasises the value of mental well-being, and meditation and mindfulness practices are essential for reaching it.
Meditation is the technique of focusing your body and mind to improve attention and awareness. Such routines will assist women to reduce stress and increase their self-esteem. Meanwhile, mindfulness promotes being present in the moment without judgement. It can help women cope with disturbing emotions, strengthen relationships, and discover inner peace.
Meditation and mindfulness may be successfully integrated into daily routines, making them vital tools for women to manage the demands of modern life while remaining grounded and centred. Incorporating these Ayurvedic practices into your life will improve your general well-being and empower women to take charge of their health naturally and holistically.
Make Time For Yourself!
When did you have some ‘me’ time before? If the answer is ‘not yet,’ now is the time to change it. You can and must set aside time for activities that make you joyful. Women frequently undertake and juggle several tasks, which takes a toll on them.
Taking time for oneself allows people, particularly women, to refuel, relax, and lessen the impacts of stress. It’s like pressing the snooze button for your mind and body. Through the lens of Ayurveda, women’s health becomes a journey of self-discovery, a celebration of the innate wisdom and strength that resides within each woman.
It’s a reminder that true well-being is not about the absence of illness but about thriving in harmony with the rhythms of nature and the wisdom of our bodies.
If you are a woman struggling with health issues, book a consultation with us and we’ll guide you back to good health.