Acupuncture for Menopause

by Yasmin Devji, RAc, North Vancouver Acupuncturist

Menopause is a normal part of every woman’s life, just like puberty. It marks the time a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs and estrogen. The period of time in which we transition to menopause, called perimenopause, usually lasts two to five years until a woman has had her last menstrual period. In Canada, the average age of menopause is 51.

While menopause is a natural biological process, it can cause a number of uncomfortable changes in our bodies – both physical and emotional. Symptoms can vary in severity and can include hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disorders, mood swings, impaired memory, weight gain, hair loss, pelvic complaints, joint and muscle symptoms, digestive problems and cardiac complaints.

Can Traditional Chinese Medicine help?

For those suffering with menopause symptoms, there are a number of natural and effective relief options which may help. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture can help to ease menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia and many other symptoms.

Hot flashes are a common menopause symptom unexpectedly producing a feeling of intense heat, which can be disruptive both in the daytime as well as in the night when sleeping. This is due to hormone imbalances during the menopause period and are caused by blood vessels dilating in the skin. Acupuncture can help ease these symptoms by releasing pain-killing endorphins into the body as well as boosting energy.

Acupuncture can also effectively treat stress, which may significantly increase menopause symptoms. The reason stress increases these symptoms is because adrenal glands produce both the stress hormone cortisol as well as estrogen. If we are stressed, our adrenal glands will focus on creating cortisol, which means estrogen production will diminish. So if a woman is stressed during the menopause period, her symptoms could be much worse than they need to be.

What else can I do?

In addition to acupuncture for treating menopause symptoms, there are a number of other natural solutions to help ease the perimenopause phase. Eating habits influence the severity of menopause symptoms for many woman. Increasing phytoestrogen-rich foods such as soy products, chickpeas, sprouts and olives can help, as well as decreasing alcohol, caffeine and sugar.

Regular gentle exercise such as yoga can also help ease menopause symptoms. Utilising japa meditation techniques of mantra repetition can also relax a woman and reduce her stress, thus relieving menopause symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats.

A consultation with a TCM and acupuncture practitioner can help guide changes to your lifestyle and find solutions that are right for you. Benefit from 2000 years of studying the human body and Traditional Chinese Medicine and start relieving your menopause symptoms now.