“Women are always being tested ... but ultimately, each of us has to define who we are individually and then do the very best job we can to grow into it.”
Hilary Clinton
The thing I love about this quote is that it gets right to one of the fundamental points of the type of health I practice, individualism. Never is this more true, or more needed to recognise than in the peri-menopausal years.
Peri-menopause can begin as early as mid 30’s and stretch until mid 50’s. It’s characterised by the onset of various symptoms alongside regular menstrual cycles. It continues until regular cycles cease for more than 1 year, officially entering menopause.
It can be a really confusing and unstable time in a women’s life, and when you look at the huge variation in symptoms you can see why there isn’t a one size fits all:
Irregular menstrual cycles – variations can include longer or shorter cycles, heavy or light bleeding, and everything in between.
Hot flashes and night sweats
Sleep disturbances and fatigue
Headaches or migraines
Muscle and joint pain, including frozen shoulder and plantar fasciitis
Restless leg syndrome
Tender breasts
Fluctuations in libido – either an increase or decrease
Pain during intercourse
Weight gain
Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea
Mood swings
Brain fog, difficulty focusing, and memory lapses
Chronic fatigue
Feelings of anxiety, depression, irritability, or panic attacks
Dizziness or vertigo, as well as internal tremors or shaking
Dryness in various areas – this can include vaginal dryness, dryness in the mouth, eyes, and skin
Increase in cholesterol and other cardiovascular biomarkers
Hair loss
Heart palpitations
Weakened immune response
Altered taste or smell
Understanding Menopause Through the Lens of Chinese Medicine
In Chinese Medicine, menopause is recognised as a significant transformation in the body's qi, primarily marked by a decrease in Kidney Yin. This decline is closely associated with hormonal balance and overall vitality. As Kidney Yin diminishes, the smooth flow of qi and blood can become disrupted, leading to a range of symptoms experienced by women during this transitional phase.
Finding Relief and Balance Through Acupuncture
Acupuncture offers a natural approach to managing menopause symptoms by addressing underlying imbalances and promoting overall well-being. It involves inserting thin needles at specific points along the body's meridians, aiming to stimulate and restore harmony within the body. The benefits of acupuncture for menopausal symptoms include:
· Enhancing Sleep Quality: Acupuncture can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality, which is often compromised by hot flashes and night sweats.
· Reducing Hot Flashes and Night Sweats: By working to regulate the body’s temperature control mechanisms, acupuncture may help reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and night sweats.
· Stabilising Mood Swings: Acupuncture can positively influence the nervous system, potentially alleviating anxiety, irritability, and mood swings commonly associated with menopause.
· Relieving Pain: Acupuncture can be effective in managing joint pain and discomfort that may arise during this phase.
· Evidence: A 2020 study looked at the effectiveness and longevity of reducing the above common menopausal symptoms (highlighted above), showing an overwhelming result of participants had significant reduction of symptoms that lasted 21 weeks past the treatment period.
Navigating Menopause on Your Terms
Acupuncture provides a holistic strategy for alleviating the symptoms of menopause. By targeting the root imbalances, acupuncture serves as a valuable tool, enabling women to navigate this transition with greater comfort and control. As many of my patients know I am an advocate of Menopause Hormone Replacement therapy (MHT), combined with dietary interventions and acupuncture. Sometimes MHT isn’t appropriate and other solutions need to be found. All of these treatments can be tailored to support the individual and unique presentation.
If you are considering acupuncture as part of your peri-menopause management plan, reach out and make an appointment and let’s get you feeling more like yourself and back in control of your health.
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