Acupuncture and Menopause
At Norris Associates we use acupuncture to treat a variety of women’s health problems, including infertility and menopausal symptoms. All treatments are performed after an in depth health evaluation and pre-sterilized disposable needles are used with strict hygiene control. We will keep in contact with your GP and / or gynecologist. The treatment techniques we use are evidence based, meaning that they have been proven in western scientific research papers and are accepted for use by the NHS.
Menopause
Menopause occurs naturally in women between the ages of 45 and 56. During this time a variety of symptoms may be experienced, some of which are quite unpleasant. Hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety & palpitations, headaches, and vaginal dryness are all often described. Up to 60% of women experience one or more of these symptoms severely enough for them to contact their GP. A number of scientific studies have shown acupuncture to be an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh(1) looked at the effect of acupuncture on hot flushes, sleep disturbances and mood changes. Results showed a significant reduction in the severity of hot flushes, a decrease in sleep disturbance, and a reduction in mood swings. Meanwhile, a group from Stanford University(2) looked at women experiencing at least seven hot flushes each day and found that acupuncture decreased the severity of their hot flushes by 28% and the frequency by 47%.
How does acupuncture work during the menopause?
During acupuncture treatment for menopause, painless needles are inserted into points on the shin, foot, wrists, and tummy. These points lie on acupuncture channels or ‘meridians’ and are said to affect the internal organs bringing them back into harmony and balancing their natural life energy or ‘Qi’. Western medical science has confirmed that the effect of acupuncture is to stimulate nerves to modulate an area in the brain called the hypothalamus which effects the autonomic nervous system. It is this system which in turn controls body functions such as sweating, stomach churning, and heart rate.
Treatment
A course of acupuncture for menopausal symptoms normally consists of 8-10 sessions. Initially, as symptoms are quite severe, treatment is given twice each week for three weeks. As you start to improve, treatment is reduced to weekly, and finally two treatments are given monthly.
What to expect
Acupuncture is a subtle treatment which works gradually. It is likely that the first thing you notice changing will be your sleep patterns. It is common to feel tired on the night after the treatment, but you may not notice a change in your hot flushes until you have had a number of treatment sessions. This is because it takes time for the effects of acupuncture to build up.
Other treatments
Aromatherapy may also be given for menopausal symptoms, using oils such as sweet marjoram and rose which can mimic the effects of the hormone oestrogen. In addition dietary changes are often encouraged increasing foods such as soya and essential oils contained in seeds and fish. Stimulants such as coffee, cola, chocolate and sugar are cut back.
References
- Cohen et al 2003. Can acupuncture ease the symptoms of menopause? Holistic Nursing Practice. 17(6): 295-9
- Huang et al 2006 A randomized controlled pilot study of acupuncture for postmenopausal hot flushes. Fertility and Sterility. 86(3): 700-10