PUNE: Doctors have suggested that building bones and muscles before the age of 35 years by practising yoga and other exercises can help women remain stronger during and after the menopause. The bone starts thinning due to lack of estrogen during this time, said the doctors.
The importance of yoga during the menopause was discussed during a day-long workshop on ‘Yoga for menopausal problems’ at the city-based National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN) on Thursday.
The workshop was organised by the Indian Menopause Society, Pune Chapter and was supported by the Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy, the Ministry of AYUSH.
Dr Jyoti Unni, former national president of the Indian Menopause Society said regular yoga before the age of 35 years can help women to maintain good health during and after the menopause.
“Many women don’t know much about the menopause. There is a lot of misunderstanding related to the natural phase of life. Women need to start taking measures to reduce problems during this period at an early age. Having a good lifestyle, eating right and exercising are essential for women,” said Unni.
She said the menopause in India happens at an average age of 46 years.
“It occurs when ovaries stop producing estrogen. Due to this, many women can suffer problems such as irritability, tiredness, boredom, rise in cholesterol level, thinning of bones and muscles, among other things,” said Dr Unni.
Sharing similar views during the workshop, K Satya Lakshmi, Director, National Institute of Naturopathy, said, “We allow nature to cure the processes within the body in naturopathy.”
“Processes inside the body need to be guided properly to ensure good health. Dependence on drugs and doctors for health takes away freedom that people have. We can avoid many diseases through yoga and exercise, which also builds immunity,” said Lakshmi.
Lakshmi said there is a need to sensitise women about benefits of yoga during and after the menopause.
“The menopause is not a disease. It is a natural process during which the body moves from one state to another. With this, there are changes and coping mechanisms are important,” added Lakshmi.
