ssue-33 Vol.-IV, Oct.-Dec 2025 Paper ID-33/8

Abstract

Menopause is a natural physiological transition in a woman’s life characterized by the permanent cessation of menstruation, usually occurring between 45 and 55 years of age. While modern biomedicine attributes menopausal syndrome primarily to estrogen deficiency and neuroendocrine alterations, Ayurveda interprets this phase as a natural outcome of aging (Svābhāvika Jarā) associated with Rajonivṛtti, Dhātu-kṣaya, Agni-mandya, and predominance of Vāta Doṣa. The menopausal transition is not considered a disease in Ayurveda; however, improper lifestyle, dietary habits, psychological stress, and constitutional vulnerabilities (Prakṛti) may lead to distressing physical and mental symptoms collectively comparable to menopausal syndrome described in modern medicine.

This study aims to critically analyze menopausal syndrome through Ayurvedic fundamentals, including classical textual references, etiopathogenesis (Samprapti), symptomatology, diagnostic perspectives, and therapeutic approaches. The paper further explores the role of Ahāra, Vihāra, Auṣadha, Rasāyana, Yoga, and Pañcakarma in the management of menopausal symptoms, supported by contemporary clinical observations and integrative perspectives. The study concludes that Ayurveda offers a holistic, preventive, and sustainable model of menopausal care that can significantly improve quality of life and reduce dependence on hormone replacement therapy.

Keywords: Menopause, Rajonivṛtti, Ayurveda, Vāta Doṣa, Dhātu-kṣaya, Rasāyana, Pañcakarma

सारांश
रजोनिवृत्ति (Menopause) एक महिला के जीवन में एक स्वाभाविक शारीरिक संक्रमण है, जिसकी मुख्य विशेषता मासिक धर्म की स्थायी समाप्ति है। यह सामान्यतः 45 से 55 वर्ष की आयु के बीच घटित होती है। जहाँ आधुनिक जैव-चिकित्सा (Biomedicine) रजोनिवृत्ति जन्य लक्षणों का मुख्य कारण एस्ट्रोजन की कमी और 'न्यूरोएंडोक्राइन' परिवर्तनों को मानती है, वहीं आयुर्वेद इस अवस्था को बुढ़ापे के एक स्वाभाविक परिणाम (स्वाभाविक जरा) के रूप में व्याख्यायित करता है, जो रजोनिवृत्ति, धातु-क्षय, अग्नि-मान्द्य और वात दोष की प्रधानता से जुड़ा है।
आयुर्वेद में रजोनिवृत्ति के संक्रमण को कोई रोग नहीं माना गया है; तथापि, अनुचित जीवनशैली, आहार संबंधी आदतें, मनोवैज्ञानिक तनाव और संवैधानिक संवेदनशीलता (प्रकृति) के कारण कष्टकारी शारीरिक और मानसिक लक्षण उत्पन्न हो सकते हैं। इन लक्षणों की तुलना सामूहिक रूप से आधुनिक चिकित्सा में वर्णित 'मेनोपॉज़ल सिंड्रोम' से की जा सकती है।
यह अध्ययन आयुर्वेदिक सिद्धांतों के माध्यम से रजोनिवृत्ति जन्य लक्षणों का आलोचनात्मक विश्लेषण करने का प्रयास करता है, जिसमें शास्त्रीय पाठ्य संदर्भ, संप्राप्ति (Etiopathogenesis), लक्षण विज्ञान, नैदानिक दृष्टिकोण और चिकित्सीय पद्धतियां शामिल हैं। यह शोध आगे चलकर रजोनिवृत्ति के लक्षणों के प्रबंधन में आहार, विहार, औषध, रसायन, योग और पंचकर्म की भूमिका का समकालीन नैदानिक टिप्पणियों और एकीकृत दृष्टिकोणों के साथ अन्वेषण करता है। अध्ययन यह निष्कर्ष निकालता है कि आयुर्वेद रजोनिवृत्ति देखभाल का एक समग्र, निवारक और स्थायी मॉडल प्रदान करता है, जो जीवन की गुणवत्ता में महत्वपूर्ण सुधार कर सकता है और 'हार्मोन रिप्लेसमेंट थेरेपी' (HRT) पर निर्भरता को कम कर सकता है।
मुख्य शब्द (Keywords): रजोनिवृत्ति (Menopause), आयुर्वेद, वात दोष, धातु-क्षय, रसायन, पंचकर्म।
1. Introduction
Menopause represents a major biological and psychosocial milestone in the female life cycle. It marks the end of reproductive capacity and initiates a phase of gradual physiological decline. According to the World Health Organization, menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity, confirmed retrospectively after twelve consecutive months of amenorrhea. With increasing life expectancy, women now spend nearly one-third of their lives in the postmenopausal state, making menopausal health a critical public health concern.
From a biomedical perspective, menopausal syndrome arises due to fluctuating and declining estrogen levels, leading to vasomotor instability, psychological disturbances, metabolic changes, urogenital atrophy, and skeletal fragility. Although hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been widely used, concerns regarding its long-term safety have shifted attention toward complementary and alternative systems of medicine.
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of life science, offers a unique and holistic understanding of menopause. Classical Ayurvedic texts do not explicitly describe menopause as a pathological entity but recognize Rajonivṛtti as a natural, age-related phenomenon. The emphasis is placed on maintaining equilibrium among Doṣa, Dhātu, Agni, and Manas to ensure healthy aging. Thus, menopause in Ayurveda is viewed not merely as hormonal cessation but as a complex psycho-somatic transition requiring individualized care.
2. Review of Literature
2.1 Menopause in Classical Ayurvedic Texts- Although the term “menopause” is absent in classical Ayurvedic literature, references to Rajonivṛtti are found in Suśruta Saṃhitā, which states that menstruation naturally ceases around the age of fifty:
“पञ्चाशते वर्षे स्त्रीणां रजोनिवृत्तिः।”
(Suśruta Saṃhitā, Śārīra Sthāna)
Charaka Saṃhitā discusses aging (Jarā) as a natural, inevitable process characterized by progressive Dhātu-kṣaya and decline of Ojas. Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya elaborates on age-wise dominance of Doṣa, indicating Vāta predominance in old age, which closely correlates with menopausal symptomatology.
2.2 Modern Scientific Literature
Contemporary research identifies menopause as an endocrinological transition involving hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis dysfunction. Studies report that nearly 75% of women experience vasomotor symptoms, while psychological disturbances such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline are also prevalent. Increasing attention is now being paid to integrative and non-hormonal approaches, including herbal medicine, mind–body therapies, and lifestyle modification, many of which resonate strongly with Ayurvedic principles.
3. Aims and Objectives
To conceptualize menopausal syndrome according to Ayurvedic fundamentals.
To analyze the Samprapti (pathogenesis) of menopausal symptoms in Ayurveda.
To correlate modern menopausal symptoms with Ayurvedic clinical features.
To evaluate Ayurvedic management strategies including Ahāra, Vihāra, Auṣadha, Rasāyana, and Pañcakarma.
To assess the scope of Ayurveda as a holistic alternative to conventional hormone therapy.
4. Methodology
This study is based on an extensive review of classical Ayurvedic texts (Bṛhattrayī and Laghutrayī), contemporary Ayurvedic commentaries, modern medical textbooks, and peer-reviewed research articles. Conceptual analysis and comparative interpretation methods were employed to correlate Ayurvedic concepts with modern scientific understanding of menopause.
5. Conceptual Framework of Menopause in Ayurveda
5.1 Rajonivṛtti as a Svābhāvika Avasthā
Rajonivṛtti is considered a Svābhāvika (natural) event similar to hunger, thirst, sleep, aging, and death. Its occurrence is determined by Kāla (time/age) and Dhātu-pariṇāma. Any deviation in symptom intensity depends upon Prakṛti, lifestyle, and mental state.

5.2 Role of Doṣa

Vāta Doṣa: Predominant in old age; responsible for dryness, degeneration, anxiety, insomnia, and joint pain.

Pitta Doṣa: Aggravation leads to hot flashes, excessive sweating, irritability, and anger.

Kapha Doṣa: Its decline causes loss of stability, strength, and lubrication.

5.3 Dhātu-Kṣaya

Decline of Rasa, Raktta, Asthi, and Majjā Dhātu manifests as dryness, osteoporosis, fatigue, and neurological symptoms. Artava upadhātu kṣaya is central to menopausal changes.

6. Samprapti (Pathogenesis) of Menopausal Syndrome

Advancing age (Kāla-prabhāva)

Weakening of Jatharagni and Dhātvagni

Progressive Dhātu-kṣaya

Predominant Vāta-prakopa with associated Pitta imbalance

Manifestation of physical and psychological symptoms

This multi-dimensional Samprapti explains the systemic nature of menopausal syndrome.

7. Clinical Features: Ayurvedic–Modern Correlation

Modern Symptoms	Ayurvedic Explanation
Hot flashes	Vāta–Pitta vitiation
Insomnia	Vāta prakopa
Mood swings	Rajas–Tamas imbalance
Osteoporosis	Asthi dhātu kṣaya
Vaginal dryness	Rasa kṣaya