Menopause: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Medicine, and the Power of the Body

Menopause is a major turning point in every woman’s life, yet the way it’s seen and supported depends a lot on where you are in the world - and how you’ve been taught to think about your body. In Western culture, menopause is often treated like a medical problem. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, it’s viewed quite differently: as a natural and even sacred transition.

And now, as I see more women seek out holistic ways to feel better in their bodies and more connected to themselves, I would like to offer somatic coaching as a practice that bridges Eastern and Western perspectives. It brings together ancient wisdom, modern science, and deep body awareness to help us navigate menopause with more ease, insight, and self-compassion.

Let’s explore how these different perspectives view menopause - and how somatic practices can help us integrate them in meaningful, empowering ways.

The Western View: A Medical Milestone (With a Lot of Symptoms)

In Western medicine, menopause is defined as the point when a woman hasn’t had a period for 12 months. It usually happens in the early 50s, and it comes with a sharp drop in oestrogen and progesterone levels. That hormonal shift can cause:

⟡ Hot flashes

⟡ Night sweats

⟡ Mood swings

⟡ Sleep issues

⟡ Low libido

⟡ Vaginal dryness

These symptoms are very real, and many women find relief through Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)or other medical treatments. But often, the whole experience is framed as a kind of loss—of fertility, youth, energy.

It’s no wonder so many women feel confused, dismissed, or even ashamed when they reach this phase of life.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Menopause as Second Spring

In TCM, menopause is seen not as a breakdown, but as a natural energetic rebalancing called The Second Spring. The focus is on the Kidneys, which are believed to store your life essence and govern reproductive energy. As you age, this essence gradually declines, leading to a shift in your internal balance—especially between Yin and Yang.

From this perspective:

⟡ Hot flashes are a sign of Yin deficiency - too much heat rising in the body.

⟡ Anxiety, dryness, and restlessness point to this same energetic imbalance.

⟡ Emotional changes are part of your body’s way of redirecting energy inward, for reflection and growth.

Instead of fighting the change, TCM encourages you to support the body’s natural wisdom with acupuncture, herbs, gentle movement like Tai Chi, and foods that nourish Yin and calm the spirit.

Ayurveda: A Sacred Time

In Ayurvedic tradition, menopause is a powerful transition into what’s known as the Vata stage of life - a time that brings more spaciousness, creativity, and introspection. Each woman’s experience depends on her dosha, or constitution:

⟡ Vata types may feel scattered, anxious, or dry.

⟡ Pitta types might experience hot flashes, irritability, and intense emotions.

⟡ Kapha types could feel sluggish, heavy, or emotionally withdrawn.

Rather than “treat” menopause, Ayurveda invites women to align with it. That might mean slowing down, eating warm and nourishing foods, adding self-massage to your routine, or using herbs like Shatavari or Ashwagandha to support your body gently.

The goal isn’t just symptom relief - it’s to create harmony in your body, mind, and spirit during this life transition.

Somatic Coaching: Where Body, Culture, and Inner Wisdom Meet

This is where somatic coaching beautifully bridges all three perspectives. Somatic (meaning “of the body”) coaching helps women reconnect with the intelligence of their bodies - learning to feel, listen, and respond with care instead of criticism.

Here’s how it helps:

⟡ From the Western side, somatic coaching recognises how stress, trauma, and lifestyle impact our nervous system - and how those factors can intensify menopausal symptoms.

⟡ From the Eastern traditions, it draws on the idea that the body is a wise, living system - not a machine that needs fixing.

⟡ It helps integrate practices like breath-work, grounding, embodiment, and mindful movement that complement both medical treatments and holistic healing.

Instead of just “managing” symptoms, somatic coaching encourages you to get curious: What is my body trying to tell me? What needs more space, softness, or support?

Many women find that this gentle body-based work helps them not only feel better physically, but also reconnect to parts of themselves they’ve been ignoring - creativity, sensuality, boundaries, voice, and intuition.

A New Story for Menopause

What if menopause isn’t the end of anything, but the beginning of something deeper?

What if this is your Second Spring, as TCM calls it - a time to turn inward, reclaim your power, and step into a new relationship with your body?

By weaving together the best of Western medicine, Eastern healing, and somatic wisdom, we can start telling a new story about menopause. One where women are seen, supported, and celebrated - not for what they’re losing, but for what they’re stepping into.

You don’t need to choose one path, you can walk your own. And your body, believe it or not, already knows the way.