Acupuncture for Menopause and Perimenopause in Hassocks

Katie at Acupuncture Hassocks uses acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat the root causes of menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms, allowing the body to resolve the associated symptoms. Symptoms of both Perimenopause and Menopause include hot flushes, night sweats, aching joints, headaches, migraines, vaginal dryness, sleep problems, mood swings, anxiety, depression and brain fog. TCM consists of acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary & lifestyle advice and has a long history of restoring balance in women who are suffering from any hormonal imbalance, including Menopause and Perimenopause.

How does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) understand Menopause?

TCM understands that Menopause is not an event, rather it is a natural process which begins even before birth! Our Kidney energy (Qi, Jing, or Essence) is our life-force and is partly acquired from our parents at conception (our Inborn Qi), and partly acquired during our lives (our Acquired Qi). This energy peaks at puberty and then starts a gradual decline, particularly from around the age of 35. How quickly or slowly it declines however, (and in particular, how smoothly) is determined to a great extent by our diet, our stress levels and our lifestyle. Smooth-flowing, gradually-declining Qi equates to a long and healthy life, as well as a smooth transition through menopause.

This understanding is particularly pertinent to women, because how well a woman lives, whether she eats well, sleeps well, whether or not she is typically stressed or over-worked, especially in her 30s and 40s, determines how smoothly and slowly her Qi declines, and therefore, how easy or otherwise her menopause will be. Going into, and therefore coming out of menopause well sets a woman up for a long and healthy remainder of her life. This is where acupuncture and herbs can help (see below).

TCM also explains that the transition of menopause involves a redirection of blood and energy from the uterus and ovaries, to the heart. Since the heart is the home of wisdom, this extra flow of blood is considered to be a time of great opportunity for a woman to move into her power as a strong and wise woman within herself and her community. With women living such a large proportion of their lives free of of the worries and strains of reproduction, they are free to turn their attention and wisdom towards other areas in life. We see this with so many wonderfully strong, wise and dignified women in their latter years these days. It is my hope that many more women use this transition to their advantage, and come to view Menopause as it is viewed in other parts of the world. Far from being an endpoint, it is truly a new beginning!

Can acupuncture help with Perimenopause or Menopause?

Yes! Acupuncture starts to relieve the symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause within a few sessions. Hot flushes and night sweats usually respond quickly, as does joint pain, headaches and mood. Perimenopausal symptoms such as PMT and irregular periods may take a little while longer, but improvements are usually seen from the first month.

How does acupuncture treat Menopause from a physiological point of view?

Acupuncture works via numerous physiological mechanisms, which account for its multitude of effects on the human body. One of the most important of these is its effect on ‘purinergic receptors’.

Purinergic receptors have been investigated as potential therapeutic targets in a broad range of disorders, including many which affect peri and post-menopausal women. They include depression and anxiety, sleep disturbances, osteoporosis, endocrine disorders, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative disease. In terms of vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes), studies have suggested that acupuncture influences the release of beta-endorphins. These neurochemicals are thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of hot flushes, although this is still not clearly understood.

Acupuncture also appears to influence cortisol, cortisol metabolites, and DHEA levels. Cortisol levels tend to increase following menopause, contributing to changes in mood, metabolism, bone density, and cognitive decline. It is, therefore, possible that the same underlying mechanisms play a role in the treatment of hot flushes, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, abdominal obesity, osteoporosis, and dementia.

Further suggested mechanisms for acupuncture’s effects on obesity include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, regulating the endocrine system, promoting digestion, and influencing lipid metabolism.

Finally, MRI studies on patients with AD or mild cognitive impairment have shown that acupuncture activates and deactivates several regions of the brain. They include the basal ganglia, cerebellum, cognitive, visual, and sensorimotor-related areas.

Can I use acupuncture and herbs if I am already taking HRT or anti-depressants ?

Yes. For those women who are already taking HRT but are finding that HRT alone is not sufficiently relieving their symptoms, or is creating others, TCM can safely be used as an adjunct.

What are typical menopausal symptoms?

During perimenopause, typical symptoms might be irregular, heavy or painful periods, mood swings, anxiety, fatigue

During menopause, typical symptoms include hot flushes, vaginal dryness, low libido, digestive and urinary problems, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders.