How does acupuncture help with menopause symptoms?
Menopause transition can be accompanied by a number of problematic symptoms - hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep, all significantly disrupting daily life, making some form of intervention, essential! Fortunately, acupuncture has emerged as a safe and effective alternative therapy that could alleviate many of these symptoms.
From a medical perspective, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is prescribed to ease symptoms, but it may not be suitable for everyone due to our unique health histories, or personal philosophies. For those looking to complementary treatments, acupuncture can be an effective alternative to help manage menopausal symptoms. Acupuncture may benefit menopause symptoms by regulating hormonal imbalances. As women enter menopause, their levels of oestrogen and progesterone decline potentially bringing a range of physical and emotional symptoms. Acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the production of these hormones, so helping to rebalance the body's natural hormone levels.
A form of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. These points - acupoints - are believed to be connected by energy pathways, or meridians, which are thought to regulate the flow of qi, or life force energy, throughout the body, helping with health issues, including menopause.
Acupuncture & symptoms of menopause
In recent years, acupuncture has gained increasing recognition as a natural treatment for menopause symptoms, including:
Hot flushes, one of the most common symptoms of menopause, could be helped by acupuncture with the frequency and severity of hot flashes reduced by regulating the body's temperature control system. Needles are inserted into points that affect the hypothalamus - the body’s temperature regulator – all helping rebalance the body's hormones and reduce the intensity of hot flushes.
Help with sleep problems, another key menopause symptom. By regulating the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, acupuncture can help improve the quality of sleep and reduce the frequency of middle of the night-time wakening through needles being inserted into points that help calm the mind and promote relaxation - allowing the body to naturally fall asleep and critically, stay asleep!
Mood swings and irritability are common during perimenopause. Acupuncture can help regulate the body's emotional balance by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural ‘feel-good’ chemicals. Needles are inserted into specific points that help reduce stress and anxiety, and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
Stress can exacerbate many menopause symptoms, including hot flushes and mood swings. Acupuncture in perimenopause has been shown to activate the body's natural relaxation response, reducing stress, and promoting feelings of calm and well-being.
Is acupuncture a safe treatment for menopause?
One of the benefits of acupuncture is that it is a safe and natural treatment that does not involve any drugs or hormones. This makes it an attractive option for women who are unable to take HRT or prefer to avoid the potential side effects associated with hormone therapy.
Bear in mind, acupuncture for menopause symptoms is not a one-time treatment, multiple sessions may be required to achieve the desired results and it will very much depend on the individual’s symptoms. However, many women report significant improvements in their menopause symptoms after just a few acupuncture sessions.
In addition to reducing specific symptoms, acupuncture has also been shown to improve overall quality of life in women experiencing menopause. A recent study published in the journal, Menopause, found that women who received acupuncture treatment reported significant improvements in sleep quality, hot flushes, and quality of life, compared to women who received a placebo treatment.
A small study reported in the BMJ concluded that acupuncture offers ‘realistic’ treatment option for women who can’t, or don’t want to, use hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Acupuncture as a treatment for menopause symptoms is a safe and non-invasive therapy, particularly appealing treatment option for women who are seeking natural alternatives to traditional medical therapies.
March 2023
This blog does not constitute medical advice. Always seek professional medical advice to rule out underlying conditions.
