The Elements and Doshas During Perimenopause

According to Ayurveda, we move toward the vata stage of life as we age, while pitta and kapha dosha recede.The space and air elements slowly begin to predominate, causing the body to become more dry and potentially less resilient to stress. 

Imagine a cottage weathering a windstorm. If the siding or the roof are drying out and losing their binding moisture, they are likely to degrade, develop weak spots, and become more vulnerable to the elements. 

The changes bodies undergo at perimenopause, though gradual, are like a home weathering a season of wind. Ayurveda teaches us how to shore up our roof and siding, and prepare for the storm. Preferably before the season is upon us.

Symptoms tend to become more noticeable, and hormone changes more drastic, the closer one gets to menopause. 

In general, those with more earth and water elements in their constitution may “weather the storm” better than those with lighter constitutions of space, air, and fire. Those with pitta constitutions may notice more signs of fire such as hot flashes and irritability, whereas vata types may feel more unstable, dry, and depleted, and fluctuate between hot and cold. Kapha types may enjoy a steadier transition but tend to see more weight gain or fatigue with metabolic changes.