Acupuncture Treats Menopause Symptoms
Most women are surprised by the onset of menopause symptoms. Sure, they’ve heard the term “hot flash” and listened to other women describe the experience, but nothing really prepares them for that first heat storm. Suddenly they understand that the term hot flash is an understatement. Perhaps “interno-inferno” and “incinerating lava blood” are more accurate terms. All joking aside, hot flashes can be disturbing and humiliating. Furthermore, they often are compounded with other common menopause symptoms such as insomnia, irritability, depression, and inability to concentrate. The overall experience can be debilitating.
Women experience these symptoms in varying degrees. Some address their symptoms with pharmaceutical medications, other opt for more natural approaches. Many find relief with acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Indeed, acupuncture and TCM possess a rich and extensive history in treating female health concerns including menopause symptoms.
What are Hot Flashes
Let’s examine why hot flashes occur. The phenomenon usually begins during early perimenopause. This natural life phase is marked by inconsistent ovulation due to diminished numbers of follicles in the ovaries. On again-off again ovulatory cycles result in fluctuating hormone levels. The brain is unable to adapt quickly to these unpredictable hormone fluctuations and menopause symptoms ensue.
The hypothalamus and the hormone estradiol are the key players in hot flashes. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that governs temperature regulation, thirst, hunger, sleep, mood, and sex drive. Estradiol is the form of estrogen produced primarily in the ovaries. The hypothalamus requires signals from estradiol to maintain body temperature equilibrium. When the hypothalamus doesn’t receive a steady supply of estradiol, it reacts by narrowing the range for acceptable core body temperature. Consequently, the slightest increase in body temperature (spicy food, a too warm car) can trigger a major cooling reflex that includes flushing and sweating.
So you may wonder why some women experience barely a drop of perspiration while others suffer unbearable steaming bone sensations. This variability in symptoms is often attributed women’s lifestyle and general health during their reproductive years. In the best circumstances, women are well rested, eat foods that promote optimal health, and exercise regularly. In these optimal health conditions the adrenal glands and body fat provided a back-up estrogen supply to pick up slack when the ovaries stop producing. Although weaker forms of estrogen are produced by adrenal glands and body fat, they do help the hypothalamus gently adapt to decreased estradiol levels. On the other hand, women who have exhausted their adrenal glands through excess work, stressful lifestyle, inadequate sleep, or just living modern life may not possess a strong backup system. These women tend to suffer more severe menopause symptoms.
Western Treatment for Hot Flashes
Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is the standard medical treatment for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. HRT simply reintroduces estrogen and or progesterone into a woman’s body after levels have begun to fluctuate. While HRT has many benefits, it also carries theriskof stroke, breast cancer, and gallbladder disease. These risks increase the longer women use HRT. Furthermore, symptoms reoccur once HRT is discontinued. Many women find that the risks are not worth a temporary fix and seek safer therapies such as acupuncture and TCM.
Acupuncture and TCM Help Hot Flashes
A recent study at the University of Melbourne showed impressive results in the use of acupuncture for hot flashes. The study included 327 women over 40 who experienced at least 7 moderate hot flashes a day. They were given 10 treatment over 8 weeks of either acupuncture or sham acupuncture with false needles. Women in both groups experienced decrease in frequency and severity of hot flashes, with the acupuncture group experiencing a slightly higher improvement rate. These results tells us two things. One, acupuncture works! Two, sham acupuncture, although the skin is not pierced, still stimulates the acupuncture points (this is the limitation of using sham acupuncture in research). The bottom line is that acupuncture works.
How does it work? Research has not explained that detail yet, but a common theory is that acupuncture stimulates beta-endorphins which in turn help stabilize the thermoregulatory center of the hypothalamus. Also, acupuncture stimulates release of neurotransmitters into the blood stream and will inhibit the sympathetic nervous system. Once we are out of the fight-or-flight mode, our adrenal glands can rest, eventually heal, and help provide a back-up estrogen supply.
TCM Herbs and Nutrition
The concept of food as medicine is an inherent principle of traditional Chinese medicine. Regarding women’s health, food choices can increase or decrease the severity of menopause symptoms. Specifically, compounds found in plant foods called phytoestrogens will moderate women’s menopause experience.
Perhaps you’ve heard that Asian women experience easier menopause because they consume more soy than their western counterparts. It’s true that soy is a rich source a phytoestrogen called genisten. However, soy products such as tofu and soy milk can be more toxic than beneficial if consumed regularly. Fermented soy products such as tempeh and miso are healthier alternatives. The fermentation process mitigates soy’s toxicity and provides important probiotics.
Phytoestrogens are widespread in food, not just soy. They are found in herbs and seasonings (garlic, parsley, capers), grains (buckwheat, rice), legumes (beans, lentils) vegetables (broccoli, carrots, onions, potatoes), fruits (dates, pomegranates, cherries, apples), and drinks (green tea, black tea). The take-home message about increasing phytoestrogen intake? Eat a WIDE variety of whole, unprocessed plant foods.
Herbal formulas are another way TCM addresses menopause symptoms. Some of the herbs commonly found in classic formulations include rehmannia, angelica root, vital, dioscorea, licorice root. Can you guess the active ingredients in these herbs? If you guessed phytoestrogens, you are right!
Acupuncture and TCM for Women’s Health
While this article has focused on hot flashes, acupuncture and TCM are used to treat the range of associated menopause symptoms. Acupuncture, herbs, and dietary fine tuning are important components of a comprehensive plan to ease your transition. Make an appointment for a consolation to discuss your unique experience.
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