Acupuncture for Menopause: Benefits and Side Effects

Some individuals might select to strive acupuncture—a therapeutic therapy rooted in Conventional Chinese language Drugs (TCM)—as a result of it has fewer dangers and negative effects than extra conventional menopause remedies (extra on this later). With a talented practitioner, it is typically protected and never solely helps you chill out however probably eases quite a lot of illnesses. Higher but, the science appears to point out that it really works.

In different phrases? In the event you’re searching for a path to menopause aid, you don’t have anything to lose by giving it a strive. Learn on to study all the advantages of this various drugs for menopause and the place to search out an acupuncturist with the appropriate expertise.

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6 menopause signs that could be relieved with acupuncture

Throughout menopause, the lack of estrogen can have an effect on so many programs in your physique and set off a slew of disagreeable signs. Luckily, acupuncture might alleviate many of those negative effects. Here is how:

1. Sizzling flashes and night time sweats

“When issues are out of whack within the physique, the physique will discover methods to get our consideration or give ‘alerts,’” Haley Parker, DOM, LAc, HFS, a lead acupuncturist at VUIM Clinic and medical director on the Virginia University of Integrated Medicine, tells Effectively+Good. By way of the lens of TCM, “hot flashes are like a ‘warning mild’ within the automobile saying that it wants extra ‘cooling yin’ to steadiness the warmth,” Parker says.

By stimulating particular factors on the physique, acupuncture might help this steadiness by serving to to “regulate the endocrine system, resulting in extra steady hormone ranges,” Parker says. It is also thought to assist promote a wholesome liver, “which is concerned in over 500 capabilities of the physique, particularly hormone regulation and cleansing,” she says.

On high of conserving your hormones in concord, acupuncture may also assist “cut back the physique’s stress response, which frequently triggers sizzling flashes and night time sweats,” Parker says.

Whereas there’s not a lot present analysis, one 2010 research in Menopause discovered that simply 12 periods of acupuncture (together with typical menopause care) considerably diminished the frequency and severity of hot flashes¹ in perimenopausal and menopausal individuals.

2. Sleep high quality

Between hormone shifts, sizzling flashes, night time sweats, and temper modifications, your sleep might undergo throughout the menopause transition. However acupuncture periods might show you how to get extra high quality sleep.

Acupuncture is assumed to advertise the physique’s pure circadian rhythms and “assist normalize the sleep-wake cycle by affecting melatonin manufacturing,” Parker says. Although it’s nonetheless not clear the way it works, the thought is that acupuncture might help the discharge of melatonin—a hormone that helps you are feeling calm and sleepy.

Acupuncture may assist management the physique’s stress response, alleviate nervousness, and have a calming impact by supporting “the parasympathetic perform of the nervous system,” Parker says. The parasympathetic system is your physique’s “relaxation/digest” mode (i.e., the other of “struggle or flight”) “the place true therapeutic and mobile restore can happen,” she says. By triggering the discharge of endorphins (i.e., “feel-good” chemical compounds) and sure neurotransmitters, acupuncture helps “to manage and steadiness the sympathetic states.”

That is all excellent news for sleep: Researchers discovered that acupuncture considerably improved sleep quality² in perimenopausal individuals with insomnia.

3. Temper swings

With all of the hormonal modifications occurring in your physique, it’s no shock that your moods could be in every single place in menopause. However acupuncture will help you are feeling extra stage (and even elevate your temper) in a number of methods.

First, acupuncture helps “stimulate the discharge of endorphins and different mood-regulating neurotransmitters,” Parker says. In doing so, it “can enhance emotional stability and cut back nervousness and despair,” she says. Secondly, acupuncture may also “assist decrease stress hormones, selling a extra balanced emotional state,” Parker says.

Thirdly, as talked about earlier, acupuncture helps the liver. “In Chinese language Drugs, this organ is accountable for ‘easy movement’ of qi [i.e., the body’s vital energy] and additionally the feelings,” Parker says. “When the liver power is ‘clogged’ or stagnant, the temper is affected.” By serving to the liver perform at its finest, you additionally assist with temper and psychological well being.

Working example: a January 2020 meta-analysis discovered that acupuncture was a protected, effective treatment³ (much more so than antidepressants) for individuals with perimenopausal despair.

4. Joint and muscle ache

They are not talked about as a lot, however achy joints or muscles are fairly widespread in menopause. Greater than 70 % of perimenopausal and menopausal individuals may have musculoskeletal symptoms⁴ because of the lack of estrogen (and 1 / 4 will even be disabled by them).

Fortunately, there are efficient methods to handle these pains—like acupuncture! It helps “improve blood circulation and releases endorphins [i.e., the body’s natural painkillers], offering aid from joint ache” and different forms of ache, together with complications, Parker says.

Plus, you probably have continual ache associated to issues like osteoarthritis, for instance, acupuncture generally is a helpful “complementary strategy to managing long-term ache circumstances,” she says.

5. Low libido

Everybody’s intercourse drive is completely different throughout menopause (i.e., it could decelerate or pace up). One purpose being the lack of estrogen can result in vaginal dryness, which might make intercourse painful.

In case your libido is missing for no matter purpose, and it bothers you, acupuncture will help. The observe is assumed to extend blood movement and circulation to your tissues, which can enhance sexual perform and want, Parker says. Moreover, “acupuncture helps maintain hormonal balance, which is important for sexual well being,” she says. Plus, it might assist musculoskeletal ache, which frequently deters you from feeling frisky, Parker provides.

One research discovered that acupuncture considerably improved sexual desire⁷, arousal, vaginal lubrication, sexual satisfaction, and dyspareunia (ache throughout intercourse) in individuals with female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Nonetheless, the members weren’t going by way of menopause; extra analysis is required to see if the therapy has comparable results for menopausal individuals.

6. Digestive and intestine points

One other factor nobody tells you about menopause? Sure GI points—like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gassiness, and acid reflux disease—are related to menopausal symptoms⁸.

Based on Parker, acupuncture can help your digestive and intestine well being within the following methods:

• Sure acupuncture factors might stimulate digestive organs. This enhances their perform and reduces irritation.
• Acupuncture might support healthy gut motility⁹ (i.e., the tempo at which meals is digested and strikes by way of your physique). This, in flip, will help cut back signs like bloating and discomfort—which can occur in case your intestine is sluggish and meals hangs round for too lengthy.
• Acupuncture might assist to decrease irritation within the intestine. By modulating the immune system, acupuncture can cut back the manufacturing of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., proteins) and improve anti-inflammatory cytokines, Parker says. There is not a lot analysis to help this, however Parker says some research have discovered that acupuncture reduces inflammatory markers in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)—a situation typically related to intestine irritation.

That is all good to your mind, too. “Ever heard of the “brain-gut” connection? The intestine can be the place the vast majority of the neurotransmitters are made, and so a cheerful intestine corresponds to a cheerful mind,” Parker says.

The best way to discover an acupuncturist that offers with menopause

Not each acupuncturist has experience or expertise treating menopausal individuals. You may need to perform a little analysis to discover a practitioner who’s the appropriate match. Listed here are a couple of locations to go looking:

Ask your community

“I all the time suppose phrase of mouth is the easiest way,” Parker says. Attempt asking your major healthcare suppliers for referrals, in addition to your mates, members of the family, or colleagues for suggestions. They could even let you know who not to go to primarily based on their experiences.

Use directories from skilled acupuncture organizations

These organizations will help you discover a respected acupuncturist in your space. Listed here are some good locations to start out:

Search on-line critiques

“Web sites like Healthgrades, Zocdoc, or Yelp can present critiques and scores of native acupuncturists,” Parker says. “Practitioners who’ve a monitor file of efficiently treating menopause signs are superb.”

Name native clinics and wellness facilities in your space

“Many Conventional Chinese language Drugs (TCM) clinics have acupuncturists who’re well-versed in treating hormonal imbalances and menopause,” Parker says. Likewise, holistic well being facilities or wellness clinics that supply acupuncture companies “typically have practitioners skilled in treating menopause signs,” she provides.

When you’ve discovered a possible practitioner, you must all the time schedule a session to see in the event that they’re the appropriate match. In the course of the seek the advice of, take the chance to “focus on your particular menopause signs and see if the acupuncturist has expertise and success in treating these points,” Parker says.

Listed here are a couple of pattern inquiries to ask throughout your interview:

1. Expertise: How lengthy have you ever been practising acupuncture, and the way a lot expertise do you’ve got in treating girls’s well being points, hormonal imbalances, and menopause signs?
2. Method: What’s your strategy to treating menopause signs with acupuncture? Do you utilize any particular methods or factors?
3. Success tales: Are you able to share any success tales or testimonials from individuals who have undergone therapy for menopause signs?
4. Credentials: Are you licensed and licensed by a acknowledged skilled group, such because the NCCAOM?
5. Complementary therapies: Do you advocate any complementary therapies (like natural dietary supplements) together with acupuncture for treating menopause signs? (Parker says, “The reply must be sure.” As a result of every individual’s wants and menopausal signs fluctuate, the practitioner will work with you to tailor the therapy to your particular state of affairs.)

Different methods to handle menopause signs

Whereas acupuncture could be an incredible remedy for menopause aid, like every therapy, it won’t work for everybody. That’s why it’s good to be accustomed to the complete menu of menopause therapy choices.

“As an acupuncturist, I attempt to keep on the pure facet as a lot as doable,” Parker says. “Nonetheless, a bit mixture of east and west doesn’t harm.” Typically, a mix of approaches is what works finest.

Listed here are another menopause therapy choices to think about—together with conventional medical remedies, life-style modifications, and different various treatments. Whichever you strive, acupuncture is usually protected to do as a complementary remedy.

1. Hormone remedy (HT)

“HT includes taking drugs containing feminine hormones to interchange those the physique now not makes after menopause,” Parker says. “It may be very efficient in decreasing sizzling flashes, night time sweats, and vaginal dryness, and it could actually additionally assist forestall bone loss.”

Nonetheless, HT isn’t proper for everybody, Parker says. Whereas it could be useful for some, it could actually barely raise your risk of growing breast most cancers, coronary heart illness, stroke, blood clots, and/or dementia in sure individuals. Ask your healthcare supplier when you’re candidate for HT.

2. Vaginal estrogen

“Low-dose vaginal estrogen [available as creams, tablets, or rings] will help relieve vaginal dryness, discomfort throughout intercourse, and a few urinary signs,” Parker says. In comparison with HT, the dose of estrogen is often decrease, so it doesn’t circulate throughout your blood to the identical diploma. This implies it received’t considerably have an effect on breast and endometrial cells. When these cells are stimulated by estrogen, it could actually improve your danger of breast most cancers and endometrial most cancers.

Whereas vaginal estrogen is usually protected as a brief therapy, your healthcare supplier might need to hold monitor of your endometrial tissue to verify there aren’t any regarding modifications.

3. Non-hormonal drugs and topicals

Estrogen remedy isn’t the one sort of remedy used to deal with menopause signs. Different medicine—that don’t have an effect on your hormones—could be useful, too. Some oral drugs embody the next:

• Antidepressants: “Sure antidepressants, akin to SSRIs and SNRIs, will help cut back sizzling flashes and enhance temper.” Parker says.
• Clonidine: “A medicine sometimes used for hypertension, clonidine may also assist with sizzling flashes,” Parker says.
• Gabapentin: “Initially used for treating seizures, gabapentin will help cut back sizzling flashes,” Parker says.

You could possibly additionally strive a topical remedy known as Replens. It’s an over-the-counter, non-estrogen moisturizer that you simply insert within the vagina as much as thrice per week, which will help with vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex. It sticks to the vaginal floor, releases water, enhances moisture in vaginal tissue, and will restore vaginal pH.

Once more, all the time chat along with your healthcare supplier about doable dangers and whether or not these medicines could also be match for you.

4. A balanced food regimen

“Deal with a balanced food regimen wealthy in fruits, greens, complete grains, lean proteins, and wholesome fat,” Parker says. You may as well add meals like soy, flaxseeds, and legumes, which have phytoestrogens. These plant-based compounds “mimic estrogen within the physique,” she says. Nonetheless, the research is limited¹² on whether or not or not phytoestrogens can steadiness your hormones or ease menopause symptoms¹³.

Ask your healthcare supplier about whether or not including phytoestrogens to your food regimen is best for you and what the best quantity to get per day must be.

5. Common train

“Train will help handle weight, enhance temper, improve sleep high quality, and strengthen bones,” Parker says. This stuff are all the time necessary, however they’re particularly essential during menopause. A mixture of cardio actions, power coaching, and suppleness workout routines (like yoga or Pilates) is a great technique.

6. Stress administration

Stress can trigger symptoms like sizzling flashes and night time sweats, so managing it’s key to conserving these points in test. “Practices akin to mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can cut back stress and enhance emotional well-being,” Parker says.

Equally, “cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and different counseling strategies will help handle temper swings, nervousness, and despair,” she says.

Thoughts-body practices like yoga, tai chi, and qigong are additionally terrific instruments for stress discount (in addition to elevated psychological readability, improved flexibility, and higher steadiness), Parker says.

7. Sleep hygiene

Menopause signs could make it troublesome to float off to dreamland. To sleep higher, you will need to begin with a strong bedtime routine. Listed here are Parker’s suggestions for higher sleep high quality:

• Preserve an everyday sleep schedule by going to mattress and waking up at the same time every day.
• Create a cushty sleep surroundings by conserving the bed room cool, darkish, and quiet.
• Follow rest methods earlier than bedtime, like studying, taking a heat tub, or doing light yoga.

8. Natural dietary supplements

In TCM, herbs are one other pure treatment used to alleviate menopause signs. In case your acupuncturist can be an herbalist, Parker says they will create remedies and formulation particularly designed for you, your signs, and your total well being.

Based on Parker, sure herbs can be utilized for menopause aid. Simply take into account: natural treatments are not FDA-regulated and aren’t as completely clinically examined as conventional drugs. All the time speak to your healthcare supplier first earlier than making an attempt any natural treatment, together with the next:

Another herbs TCM typically implements for menopause embody dong quai, adaptogens, Chinese yam, and goji berry, amongst others, per Parker.

Whereas it could be tempting to exit and purchase these herbs and attempt to deal with your self, it is best to seek the advice of knowledgeable who’s well-versed in natural drugs. Based on Parker, they will advocate high quality merchandise and tailor a components to your wants. They’ll additionally be sure that no prescription drugs you take work together with natural treatments.

9. Therapeutic massage remedy

A calming therapeutic massage is one other pure method to relieve menopause-related signs. Therapeutic massage “will help cut back muscle pressure, enhance circulation, and promote rest,” Parker says. “Numerous methods akin to Swedish, deep tissue, and aromatherapy therapeutic massage could be useful.”

When to see a healthcare supplier

There is not any want to attend in relation to getting aid from menopause signs. You should not must “muscle by way of” the transition. Let your healthcare supplier learn about your signs, and when you’re curious about pure options, take into account giving acupuncture a strive. It has fewer dangers and negative effects total and will assist quite a lot of bodily, psychological, and emotional signs related to menopause.

“Keep in mind, you’re going by way of a transition into a brand new stage of life,” Parker says. “It’s regular [but] the signs do not need to be, and they’re going to ultimately even out with the appropriate instruments.”