Acupuncture For Perimenopause and Menopause
Menopause isn’t actually a disease or a condition in itself.
It is the pausing and stopping of the menstrual cycle.
However, many women and people who bleed suffer from menopausal symptoms which can be life altering and debilitating.
Chinese Medicine has been used for years to help support those going through menopause to feel better and live happier lives.
Chinese Medicine and Menopause
According to Chinese Medicine, those of us who has periods go through 7 year cycles and during these 7 year cycles we experience differences in our menstrual cycles. From the ages 7-13 our cycle may start but isn’t fully there yet. From 14-20 we are developing a regular menstrual cycle, from 21-27 we are our most vital, from 28-35 we are at our height of our maturity, from 36-42 we start to see changes in our menstrual cycle, and by the time we are 43-49 our menstrual cycle will have changed a lot (bring in perimenopause), and from 50 onwards we are no longer fertile (usually) and are ready to step into our next phase of life.
Menopause is knows as the ‘Second Spring’.
It is a transition into becoming a wiser self.
From when start our menstrual cycle, Blood energy goes down into our Uterus to help create periods and life.
Now that we don’t have our periods any longer, nor are we fertile, all that Blood energy can move into the Heart instead.
The Heart in Chinese Medicine houses our Shen, our spirit, and with our Heart full we can now step into the Wisdom of ourselves at this older age.
Life is not done - it isn’t over. In fact, it is more beautiful for we can start looking after ourselves now after years of catering to everyone else.
So What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is this transition time around menopause where lots of symptoms start to show. It is during this time that your ovaries stop releasing eggs and the levels of your hormones oestrogen and progesterone drop. Your cycles will start to become a little more irregular as this natural process occurs.
Once you have had 12 consecutive months without a period - you have transitioned into menopause.
The Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Perimenopause:
There are a lot!
And for everyone, it is soooo different.
But all are valid, and no, you’re not going crazy.
Irregular periods
Missing a periods
Periods getting heavier or lighter
Low libido
Hot flashes
Changes in metabolism
Brain fog
Fatigue
Mood swings
Night sweats
Bloating
Dryness - mouth, throat, vagina
Needing to urinate more - without change of water intake
Issues with sleeping
Anxiety
Less resilient to stressful situations
Chinese Medicine Perspective
Like most conditions, Chinese Medicine doesn’t see perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms caused by one singular issue. There a few organ systems that are acting in this imbalance. However, there is one aspect that is really common and that is the deficiency of Yin.
Yin is one of the vital substances and is the cooler, darker, more moisturising aspect of Yang. Yin is related closely to Blood energy whereas Yang is related closely to Qi (vital energy). Throughout our lives, as we bleed each cycle, we lose Blood energy and our Yin starts to dry up. Over time, we naturally become Yin deficient and need a little help to nourish that cooling substance so we aren’t feeling hot, dry, and agitated.
Yin can also become depleted due to a diet full of inflammatory foods, such as deep fried and greasy foods, lots of refined sugar, as well as alcohol and large amounts of caffeine. Chronic illness and long bouts of unmanaged stress can also deplete Yin.
How Can Acupuncture Help?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help with the nourishing of Yin.
Acupuncture will also look after the emotional side of the perimenopausal struggle.
The best thing about acupuncture is that is isn’t an either/or option. I work with people who are on HRT (hormonal replacement therapy), who are thinking about going on it, or who want to try hold it off for as long as they can (or before divorce is on the books). I can work along with where ever you are in your journey of transition.
Another great aspect of acupuncture is that it can help with your stress. It lowers cortisol - the stress hormone - so if you are struggling with day to day life, this can help manage how you react to the stress, hopefully allowing you to be more calm and stable in your actions.
Acupuncture is the process of inserting fine, single use, sterile needles into acupuncture points on the body. The acupuncture points are chosen according to the Chinese Medicine diagnosis process where I take an in-depth history of your menstrual cycle and your current lifestyle, combining that with the palpation of the 12 Chinese pulses on your wrists and a look at your tongue.
Chinese Medicine is an holistic medicine which looks at the root cause for your condition. Each treatment is individualised works on the underlying reason of why YOU are suffering during this transition. I use a mixture of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Chinese Medicine dietary advice, Chinese Medicine lifestyle advice, as well as supplements, to work on your underlying constitution.
Helping people with their perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms is something I have loved doing and is a common reason I have women and those who bleed who are 40+ years old come to the clinic.