What is Menopause?
Menopause, the time in a woman’s life when hormonal fluctuations and decreases may lead to a variety of bodily changes and discomforts, is often looked upon with anxiety in our society. Many women are fortunate to experience little, if any, discomfort. But others may feel devastated with varying combinations of mood swings, anxiety, depression, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, skin changes, decrease in sexual interest, changes in bladder function, loss of bone, fatigue and a host of other problems. These issues seem to be more prevalent in our busy and stressful western society than in eastern societies.
For many years western medicine has recommended the use of hormone (estrogen and progesterone) replacement therapy (HRT) to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause and prevent bone loss, cardiovascular and mental issues. But in the past few years it has become clear from very large clinical studies that HRT actually may cause serious harm rather than help in these circumstances. Particular concerns include increased chances for breast and uterine/ovarian cancer, heart attack and stroke. For this reason, most women are now being advised to stop HRT and seek other ways to relieve their symptoms and protect their bodies during this important transitional phase of menopause in their lives.
Acupuncture aleviates Menopause Symptoms
Acupuncture, along with herbal and nutritional therapy and exercise, has been used successfully for thousands of years throughout the Orient to help women entering menopause as they change from using much of their life’s energy for reproductive and mothering functions to conserving that energy for extending their longevity and nourishing their spirit. From the viewpoint of Chinese Medicine, menopause represents the major change from motherhood to an enlightened and wise being.
Acupuncture addresses issues of menopause as seen from traditional Chinese concepts. These concepts, totally different from those of Western Medicine, can be addressed and corrected by stimulating combinations of acupuncture points just below the skin with very tiny, thin sterile needles. Many studies in the east and west throughout the years have confirmed acupuncture’s ability to help alleviate many of these symptoms, especially mood changes, hot flashes, and lack of energy. On average, about 70% of people respond well to treatment.
Complementary Treatments
Other treatments that are important to the process are good diet—decreasing fats and sugars, increasing fresh fruits and vegetables, stopping cigarette smoking, decreasing alcohol use, increasing intake of water, avoiding caffeine, and the use of some nutritional supplements and herbs. Strenuous walking, weight-bearing exercise, and oriental exercises such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong are also important parts of the program to re-orient your body’s resources toward a long and sustained healthy life, with minimal discomfort during the transition years of menopause.
