Menopause and perimenopause can bring hot flushes, night sweats, poor sleep, mood changes, joint aches and changes to the menstrual cycle. Some women manage with lifestyle changes, others benefit from menopausal hormone therapy or other treatments prescribed by their GP. Some also look into acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Start with your GP
A GP can confirm what’s going on, check for other causes of your symptoms, and talk through options, including menopausal hormone therapy and non-hormonal medicines. Please also see your GP promptly about any bleeding after menopause, or very heavy or irregular bleeding.
What the research says
Acupuncture for hot flushes has been studied in a number of trials. Some studies report that women who received acupuncture had fewer or milder hot flushes than women who received no treatment, but when acupuncture is compared with sham (placebo) acupuncture, the difference is small or unclear. In other words, the evidence is mixed, and acupuncture should not be seen as a replacement for proven medical options.
Why some women try TCM
Some women prefer to explore non-drug approaches first, or want extra support with sleep, stress and general wellbeing. TCM looks at menopause through traditional patterns such as Kidney Yin and Yang, and tailors treatment to the individual. These are traditional concepts rather than medical diagnoses.
A note on herbs
Chinese herbal medicine can interact with other medicines, including hormone therapy. If you’re considering herbs, tell both your GP and your TCM practitioner about everything you’re taking.
Booking
If you’d like to talk through whether acupuncture might suit you, book a free 20-minute consultation at our St Lucia clinic. Book a free consultation or call 0434 743 569.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Individual results vary. Please speak with your GP about menopause symptoms and treatment options.
