Acupuncture & Menopause Support
Did you know that acupuncture can help alleviate distressing symptoms women experience during the peri-menopause and menopause?
These symptoms can vary and a woman can experience just one or many of the following symptoms:
· Hot flushes
· Night sweats
· Mood change
· Fatigue
· Poor sleep
· Brain fog
· Poor concentration
· Loss of sexual desire
· Vaginal and urinary symptoms
· Anxiety/depression
There are marked differences in the way western women experience the menopause to other cultures, particularly eastern cultures according to Stephenson (2017) and Wolfe (1998). They state that Western women suffer more with menopausal symptoms because they do not celebrate age in the way other cultures do. Suggesting we are fighting and resisting the natural aging process and thereby adding to our stress. What are your thoughts?
In a recent discussion about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), my doctor confirmed that the more stresses a person has in their life the more disruptive the menopausal symptoms can be. This backs Montelone et el (2018) theory that the empty nest syndrome, retirement from work, looking after parents and loss of parent/ partner all frequently occur at midlife; at a time when a woman is navigating some of the biggest hormonal changes of her lifetime.
Hormone Replacement Therapy & Acupuncture
HRT is a wonderful tool to help women navigate through this transition, but in many cases it’s a one size fits all approach. The beauty of acupuncture is it looks at the whole person, it breaks down all of your symptoms into patterns of disharmony and an acupuncturist carefully selects the appropriate points to eliminate your symptoms. This can work with women who are taking HRT as well as those who aren’t.
As a menopausal woman, I have experienced some huge life changes over the last four years. I have successfully used both HRT and Acupuncture to manage some difficult physical changes. I believe it’s totally your choice. Now things have become more settled I have come off the HRT and I am watching, with interest, to see what happens. I am lucky that I also have a wonderful acupuncturist whom I see every two/three weeks to address any imbalances.
Chinese Medicine
The ageing process in Chinese Medicine is a decline of Jing; Jing is stored in the Kidneys and underpins the functions of both Kidney Yin and Yang (Scheid 2007). How ageing manifests depends on the balance between Yin and Yang - If Yin declines more rapidly than Yang, Yang will be in excess producing symptoms of hot flushes, palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, or dryness (Scheid 2007). If Yang declines more rapidly than Yin, symptoms like fatigue, depression, chilliness, and oedema are dominant symptoms (Scheid 2007).
It's an acupuncturists job to find out what’s going on for you and to balance the Yin and Yang energy to help you navigate through the menopause.
I am a fully inclusive practitioner and if, as a trans person you are experiencing any early menopausal symptoms please do get in touch.
If you would like support with your menopausal symptoms or anything related to the menstrual cycle, please call me on: 07990 925407
or email: jolennyacupuncture@gmail.com
References:
Monteleone P, Mascagni G , Giannini A, Genazzani A, Simoncini T. (2018) Symptoms of menopause – global prevalence, physiology and implications
[online] available from: https://www.proquest.com/docview/2012126955?accountid=14557&pq-origsite=primo [accessed on 14 October 2021]
Scheid, V (2007) Traditional Chinese Medicine – What are we investigating?: the Cause of menopause [online] available from https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.kingston.ac.uk/science/article/pii/S0965229905001512 [accessed on 25 September 2021]
Stephenson, C (2017), The Acupuncturist’s guide to conventional medicine
2nd Edition, London, Singing Dragon
Wolfe HL, 1998, Managing Menopause Naturally, Boulder, Blue Poppy Press.
