Navigating Through Menopause with TCM and Acupuncture

Menopause is a dreaded word by most women. Some are lucky enough to experience very mild symptoms while others are greatly affected by the symptoms of menopause both physically and emotionally. Natural menopause occurs gradually and can be divided into three stages:

Perimenopause - This stage starts years before menopause. During this time, the ovaries start to produce less estrogen. The symptoms gradually start during this time.

Menopause - This is when the ovaries stop releasing eggs and the estrogen level is very low. It takes 12 months of no menstrual period before it can be diagnosed as menopause.

Postmenopause - This is the sign end of the reproductive years of a woman. The symptoms of menopause gradually disappear. However, some may still experience intense symptoms even after a few years. 

What exactly are these symptoms to watch out for? Menopause can bring a whirlwind of symptoms, and each woman's experience is unique. Common menopause symptoms include the following:

- Changes in the regularity of the menstrual cycle

- Changes in libido

- Hot flashes

- Difficulty sleeping

- Night sweats

- Mood changes

- Fatigue

TCM believes that menopause is a natural transition, not a disease. It's all about maintaining balance in your body's vital energies, or Qi. When these energies are not in order, that's when the infamous symptoms rear their heads. The symptoms experienced during menopause can be caused by liver and/or kidney systems deficiency. The focus of TCM modalities such as acupuncture to address menopause symptoms is to regulate and strengthen the liver and kidney.

Enter acupuncture, one of TCM's superstar modalities. Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on your body to stimulate energy flow. How can it help during menopause, you ask?

• Hot Flash Relief: Acupuncture can help regulate the body's temperature control system, reducing the frequency and intensity of hot flashes.
• Hormone Harmony: By targeting certain points, acupuncture may help balance hormone levels, alleviating mood swings and emotional turbulence. Acupuncture cannot stop a woman from reaching menopause, but it can at least make period woes more bearable.
• Sleep Support: Improved sleep patterns are often reported by those who incorporate acupuncture into their menopause management plan.
• Stress Reduction: Acupuncture sessions can provide much-needed relaxation and stress relief, which is essential for navigating menopause with grace. This also addresses the decline in libido.

Acupuncture is just one of the many modalities that can address menopause symptoms. There's so much more than TCM can offer which is why it's best to start your menopause wellness journey by booking an initial consultation with a licensed acupuncturist who has years of experience and genuine care for their patients' well-being. Book an appointment with NYC Acupuncture + Wellness to get a detailed treatment plan modified to your needs and goals.