Acupuncture & Menopause

Acupuncture Associates

What is Menopause?

Menopause is, literally, the cessation of menstruation. However, the term is frequently used to describe the changes in a woman's body that lead to the end of the menstrual periods. Three to five years before her last period, a woman's ovaries begin producing smaller amounts of the two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. This phase, before the cessation of menstruation, is called the climacteric, or peri-menopausal phase, but is generally considered under the common term menopause. No two menopausal experiences are exactly alike because each woman encounters menopause at a different time of life. While some women don't experience a single symptom until their fifties, other women can experience menopause in their forties or sometimes even in their thirties.

Symptoms of Menopause

Tap-Dancing Periods - Hormone levels may not decrease steadily or in a uniform manner, therefore, a woman may experience irregular menstrual cycles and heavy bleeding before her periods cease altogether. These irregular periods may indicate the beginning of peri-menopause, called “tap dancing,” and can be later, longer, or more troublesome than before. According to Chinese medicine, the part of us that is referred to as Yin (our vital fluids and Cold) begins to diminish, as we grow older. This leads to an Excess of Yang (our Vital Energy and Heat) and/or Stagnation of Qi (Life Energy). Ideally, when our Yin, Yang, and Qi are in balance, our body acts something like a kettle containing liquid (Yin), and heated by Fire (Yang). The resulting steam (the Qi) circulates throughout the body, warming and nourishing it. But it is this Excess Heat that leads to hot flashes, as well as to dryness of the skin, eyes, and vagina.

Hot Flashes and Chills - Night sweats are often reported where a woman will wake up drenched with perspiration. Hot flashes are perhaps the most commonly associated symptoms of menopause. However, chills can also contribute to this "sweater on, sweater off" syndrome. Excess Heat can also dislodge the Shen (spirit) from the Heart, causing irritability and insomnia. And if this Excess Heat enters the Blood, it can cause heavy menstruation.

Headaches and Joint Pain – Stagnation of Qi can cause pain anywhere in the body. Hormonal changes can also give rise to headaches, which happens to be another, lesser-known symptom of menopause. When reaching for an aspirin, does your shoulder joint ache? Aching joints, especially in the hips and ankles, can also signal the presence of menopause. Some women also experience tingling and numbness in their hands and feet, especially during the night. Excess Heat and Qi Stagnation can also cause moodiness, emotional instability, restlessness, and anxiety.

Mood Swings - Fluctuating hormone levels may alter your feelings and emotions, giving you a sense of "not being yourself." You may feel like you have slipped partway out of your body. These mood swings commonly occur simply reflecting your body's physical confusion. In extreme cases, depression may occur, as well as inexplicable, uncharacteristic out-bursts of anger. But don't despair; your body is at work creating a new sense of balance, one that operates at these new, lower hormone levels.

Brain Function - Hormone changes can also affect brain functioning and thought patterns, making some women feel as if they’re thinking is “fuzzy” and/or in slow motion. At times, even memory may lapse for a short time. But don't forget that these, as well as other menopausal symptoms are temporary.

Other Symptoms – Loss of sexual desire, as well as painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness may occur. Urinary tract problems, infections, or leakage can also occur. New hormone levels can alter hair follicles, and many women find themselves with unwanted facial hair. Night Sweats, Migraine Headaches, breast Swelling and Tenderness, heavy menstrual periods, bone loss, itchy and/or dry skin fatigue, weight gain, and water retention, etc. Very few women experience all of these symptoms. However, Chinese herbal formulas are available for relief of symptoms that do occur.

How Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Help Menopause

The analysis of menopause and its symptoms has some similarities between Western and Chinese medicine. However, Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) takes a more comprehensive approach, which is reflected in the treatment using both Acupuncture and Chinese herbs. In TCM, menstruation is associated with the Kidneys, the Chong, and the Ren channels. Kidney Qi is the basis from which the human body grows, develops and reproduces, and according to TCM, Kidney deficiency is the root cause of menopause. So, because of the Kidney's pivotal role in a woman's sexual and reproductive functions, TCM treats menopause by strengthening Kidney Qi. The Kidneys are considered key to the proper functioning not only of the urinary system, but of the endocrine, reproductive, and nervous system as well. Mirroring the body's own attempts to restore balance, Chinese herbs (composed only of natural ingredients) seek to restore balance.

In conclusion, it appears as if menopause can be very inconvenient. But do remember menopause is a completely normal process, and not a disease. In China, they call it “second spring.” It is a healthy and positive response of the body to the natural aging process. And a combination of Chinese herbs and Acupuncture can give a woman a better quality of life and keep her in relatively good health with a very slow decline for an additional 30 or more years. 

In addition, Acupuncture works to normalize the flow of Qi in the body, restoring balance between Yin and Yang. Thus, it is particularly appropriate for the peri-menopausal time when our energy is completely renewing itself, and for relieving such symptoms as hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, anxiety, moodiness, menstrual cramps, excessive bleeding, etc. It also helps osteoporosis and protects your Heart naturally.

Unfortunately, in the USA, most people resort to TCM only after Western medicine has failed. And though it is often effective, even in these difficult situations, Acupuncture is best used as a preventive modality, or at the onset of symptoms. It can unblock stuck Qi long before the problem manifest itself in actual illness. If you are experiencing, or have experienced, any of these symptoms, you may want to consider TCM to ease you mind, body and spirit naturally through menopause and into your next, new stage of life.

In general, it takes 6-8 acupuncture treatments, and taking herbs and changing your diet, etc. simultaneously, will be the most effective. Some difficult cases may take longer.