Ayurveda Intervention in Perimenopausal Syndrome

Abstract

Menopausal transition or perimenopause is the period characterized by irregularities of menses, lengthy and heavy menses with episodes of amenorrhea, sub-fertility, hot flushes which falls under vasomotor symptoms, and psychological symptoms like insomnia. Currently, the menopausal women’s count is about 43 million and is estimated to be 103 million in 2026. Western medicine offers Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which has its limitations. Ayurveda offers efficient, economic, natural, and safer formulations to manage perimenopausal symptoms. Ashwagandha Ksheer Basti is the administration of a medication regime per rectum. Ashwagandha has shown anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, immunity-enhancing, and sleep-inducing effects and mood-stabilizing activity in clinical anxiety and depression. A woman suffering from on and off hot flush, insomnia, and mood swings for the last 10 years was administered Ashwagandha ksheer basti for 8 days. Within a month the patient experienced adequate sleep, fewer mood swings, and negligible episodes of a hot flush, and serum estradiol levels were found to be elevated post-treatment. Ayurveda considers the base of the reproductive system to be in the bone marrow and female reproductive components are generated and derived from the bone marrow. Recent studies show bone marrow transplantation restores follicular maturation. The intervention category of drug, Tikta (bitter) herb, ksheer (milk), Ghee (clarified butter), and route of administration (Basti) is an exclusive treatment for bone marrow-related disorders as per Ayurveda. Signs and symptoms of perimenopause fall within the criteria of Vata & Pitta disorders and Ksheer Basti is a mild Vata-Pitta alleviating Niruha Basti.