Acupuncture for Menopausal Symptoms
Menopause and Perimenopause
Acupuncture is a gentle, natural, non-invasive and effective way to deal with the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause.
Acupuncture balances menopausal symptoms by reducing hot flushes and night sweats which, in turn, result in a better quality of sleep. Symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and mental fogginess can also be reduced with acupuncture.
Menopause marks the time in a woman’s life when periods stop and the ovaries lose their reproductive function. Usually this occurs between 45-55 years of age. It can be as early as 40 or as late as 60.
Perimenopause, or menopause transition, begins several years before menopause. It’s the time when the ovaries gradually start to produce less oestrogen and usually starts in a woman’s 40s. It can be earlier. Perimenopause lasts up until the menopause, the point when the ovaries stop releasing eggs.
Menopause is usually considered complete when a woman has been without periods for a full year.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the menopause as a natural occurrence brought about by a deficiency of Yin. Throughout our life we expend Yin by work, stress, childbirth, grief, looking after others. Yin is cooling, calming and moistening so a deficiency of Yin can leave us with the symptoms we have described – hot flushes, night sweats (and day sweats,) poor sleep, anxiety, feeling out of balance.
The main principal of treatment is to “nourish Yin.”
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the menopause as a natural occurrence brought about by a deficiency of Yin.
Throughout our life we expend Yin by work, stress, childbirth, grief, looking after others. Yin is cooling, calming and moistening so a deficiency of Yin can leave us with the symptoms we have described – hot flushes, night sweats (and day sweats,) poor sleep, anxiety, feeling out of balance.
The main principal of treatment is to “nourish Yin.”
So, What Is Happening?
Generally, things start to change in our forties.
These are the transitional years between childbearing and menopause and therefore this is usually when we go through the perimenopause.
The first reproductive hormone to decline is progesterone, followed by oestrogen and some others. FSH levels may increase initially as there is an attempt to stimulate follicles in the ovaries. Raised FSH can be an indicator of perimenopause and menopause.
The symptoms that foreshadow the menopause include missed periods, PMS, breakthrough/midcycle bleeds, palpitations, migraines, hot flushes/sweats, vaginal dryness, insomnia, back pain, aches, anxiety….. such fun!
It is so important that we try and take care of ourselves at this time. Unfortunately we can be so exasperated about it all and sometimes in denial, that we often don’t!
Next comes menopause which, technically, isdefined as 12 months after your last period. Thereafter you are supposedly postmenopausal, although in reality the whole process is a transition from one stage to another. It can take years.
The average age of menopause is 51. It can be much younger in smokers however Menopause is when your body is switching off its reproductive capacity and can drastically affect the whole body.
“Master the Menopause”
Find out more about this topic in this free ebook.
Acupuncture for Menopausal Symptoms
Acupuncture balances menopausal symptoms by reducing hot flushes and night sweats which, in turn, result in a better quality of sleep.
Symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and mental fogginess can also be reduced with acupuncture.
Are there specific foods that can help? Should you exercise in the same way? FInd out the answers to these and other questions in my Menopause Blog posts
Find out more
Grab a cuppa and have a read of this post to get you started.
Wondering if acupuncture can help you with your menopausal symptoms?