Whether your menopause symptoms are mild or intense, getting relief for them is always recommended.
This can be through things likehormone therapy, diet and exercise, and even some natural therapies.
Enter: acupuncture for menopause.
Better yet, the science seems to show that it works.
Fortunately, acupuncture may alleviate many of these side effects.
Heres how:
1.
lead acupuncturist atVUIM Clinicand clinical director at Virginia University of Integrative Medicine
But acupuncture sessions may help you get more quality sleep.
Acupuncture is thought to promote the bodys naturalcircadian rhythmsand help normalize the sleep-wake cycle by affectingmelatoninproduction, Parker says.
This is all good news for sleep: Researchers found that acupuncture significantlyimproved sleep quality2in perimenopausal people with insomnia.
But acupuncture can help you feel more level (or even lift your mood) in several ways.
First, acupuncture helps stimulate the release ofendorphinsand other mood-regulating neurotransmitters, Parker says.
In doing so, it can improve emotional stability and reduce anxiety and depression, she says.
Secondly, acupuncture can also help lower stress hormones, promoting a more balanced emotional state, Parker says.
Thirdly, as mentioned earlier, acupuncture supports the liver.
When the liver energy is clogged or stagnant, the mood is affected.
lead acupuncturist atVUIM Clinicand clinical director at Virginia University of Integrative Medicine
By helping the liver function at its best, you also help with mood and mental health.
Joint and muscle pain
Theyre not talked about as much, butachy joints or musclesare pretty common in menopause.
Thankfully, there are effective ways to manage these painslike acupuncture!
One reason being the loss of estrogen can lead tovaginal dryness, which can make sex painful.
If your libido is lacking for whatever reason,andit bothers you, acupuncture can help.
Additionally, acupuncture helpsmaintain hormonal balance, which is essential for sexual health, she says.
Plus, it could help musculoskeletal pain, which often deters you from feeling frisky, Parker adds.
Digestive and gut issues
Another thing no one tells you about menopause?
Certain GI issueslike bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gassiness, and acid refluxare associated withmenopausal symptoms6.
Ever heard of the brain-gut connection?
Keep in Mind
Not everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture.
You might have to do a little research to find a practitioner whos the right fit.
They may even tell you whonotto go to based on their experiences.
Practitioners who have a track record of successfully treating menopause symptoms are ideal.
Thats why its good to be familiar with the entire menu of menopause treatment options.
However, a little mix of east and west does not hurt.
Sometimes, a combination of approaches is what works best.
Whichever you try, acupuncture is generally safe to do as a complementary therapy.
Still, HT isnt right for everyone, Parker says.
Ask your healthcare provider if youre a good candidate for HT.
This means it wont significantly affect breast andendometrial cells.
When these cells are stimulated by estrogen, it can increase your risk of breast cancer and endometrial cancer.
Non-hormonal medications and topicals
Estrogen therapy isnt the only jot down of medication used to treat menopause symptoms.
Other drugsthat dont affect your hormonescan be helpful, too.
Some oral medications include the following:
You could also try a topical medication calledReplens.
These plant-based compounds mimic estrogen in the body, she says.
However, theresearch is limited8on whether or not phytoestrogens can balance your hormones orease menopause symptoms9.
These things are always important, but theyre especiallyessential during menopause.
Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, anddeep breathing exercisescan reduce stress and improve emotional well-being, Parker says.
Sleep hygiene
Menopause symptoms can make it difficult to drift off to dreamland.
To sleep better, youll want to start with a solid bedtime routine.
Here are Parkers tips for better sleep quality:
8.
Herbal supplements
In TCM, herbs are another natural remedy used to relieve menopause symptoms.
According to Parker, certain herbs can be used for menopause relief.
Just keep in mind: herbal remedies arenot FDA-regulatedand are not as thoroughly clinically tested as traditional medications.
According to Parker, they can recommend quality products and tailor a formula to your needs.
They can also see to it that no prescription medications youre taking interact with herbal remedies.
Massage therapy
A relaxing massage is another natural way to relieve menopause-related symptoms.
Massage can help reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation, Parker says.
Various techniques such as Swedish, deep tissue, and aromatherapy massage can be beneficial.
You shouldnt have to muscle through the transition.
Remember, you are going through a transition into a new stage of life, Parker says.
Kim, Kun Hyung, et al.
Effects of acupuncture on hot flashes in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women-a multicenter randomized clinical trial.Menopause, vol.
269280, https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e3181bfac3b.
The musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause.Climacteric, 17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2024.2380363
Zhang, Jun Tan, et al.
4, 20 June 2022, pp.
100541100541, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2022.100541.
Brimiene, Ieva, et al.
Yin, Jieyun, and Jiande D Z Chen.
Gastrointestinal motility disorders and acupuncture.Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinicalvol.
157,1-2 (2010): 31-7. doi:10.1016/j.autneu.2010.03.007
Dominguez-Lopez, Ines et al.
Effects of Dietary Phytoestrogens on Hormones throughout a Human Lifespan: A Review.Nutrientsvol.
15 Aug. 2020, doi:10.3390/nu12082456
Desmawati, Desmawati, and Delmi Sulastri.
Phytoestrogens and Their Health Effect.Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciencesvol.
14 Feb. 2019, doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.044
Kazemi, Farideh et al.
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