Are you struggling with poor sleep, hair loss, uncontrollable body temperature and mood swings? Life can be stressful, but there could be a simple explanation for your symptoms – menopause.
What is menopause?
Menopause, or ‘change of life’, is the point in time when a woman no longer has periods and is fertile. It is completely natural, and will normally happen between the ages of 45 and 55.1
What are the symptoms?
While menopause can be uneventful for some, many women find it is a difficult time due to uncomfortable side effects.
Common symptoms of menopause include changes in the menstrual cycle, hot flushes, night sweats, headaches, difficulty sleeping, and changes in mood.2
As well as these symptoms, the changes in hormone production mean that menopausal women are at a higher risk of osteoporosis and high blood pressure.
What can be done?
Conventional medicine
Unfortunately, conventional medicine offers very little to women going through menopause, with the only option aside from lifestyle changes being hormone replacement therapy (HRT). While this may be appropriate for some women, HRT is not without its risks.3
Natural therapies
Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy approaches menopause as a natural process which should not be prevented or delayed, but simply managed to make the woman as comfortable as possible.
Chinese medicine practitioners assess a patient’s energy flow with Meridian Analysis, and identify areas of excess heat or deficiency. Based on this information, a personalised treatment plan is created.
Acupuncture is a common treatment which has been shown in multiple studies to significantly reduce menopausal symptoms include hot flushes and night sweats.4 Acupuncture is an ancient treatment method which works to correct imbalances in the body through releasing tension with expertly placed, super-fine needles.
Herbal medicine is also used in the treatment of menopause. An accredited herbal dispenser can create a personalised blend of plants which minerals which assist in healing the body’s deficiencies to restore a woman to good health and comfort in menopause. The medicine can be prepared in many ways, most commonly as a herbal tea or a capsule pill.
Getting help
While menopause is completely normal, many woman will experience discomfort and need help dealing with their symptoms. The body is going through a big physical and hormonal change, so wanting treatment is completely understandable!
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been assisting women for thousands of years, and these methods are available today all over the world. Here in Melbourne, Acuwell offers personalised patient care from a fully qualified Chinese Medicine Practitioner.
Book an appointment today to discuss your needs and treatment goals!
References
- Menopause. (2017). Better Health Channel. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menopause
- Menopause symptoms. The Women’s – Royal Women’s Hospital. Available at: https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/menopause-information/menopause-symptoms
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and menopause. (2018). Better Health Channel. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt-and-menopause
- Sunay, Didem, Muruvvet Ozdiken, Huseyin Arslan, Ali Seven and Yalcin Aral. “The effect of acupuncture on postmenopausal symptoms and reproductive hormones: a sham controlled clinical trial.” Acupuncture in Medicine Vol 29 (2011):27-31.
and
Avis, NE, RR Coeytaux, S Isom, K Prevette, T Morgan. “Acupuncture in Menopause (AIM) study: a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial.” Menopause 23(6) (June 2016):626-37.