Chinese medicine for menopause & hot flushes

Chinese medicine views menopause as a time of new beginnings, calling it a ‘Second Spring’. For many women however, menopause is often no cause for celebration due to a range of symptoms that can sometimes dramatically affect their quality of life for several years. Though every woman has a different experience when going through menopause, many experience symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, while others experience feelings of uncertainty about moving to a new stage of life. Some may have seen their friends suffer during menopause and worry they too might face a rocky road. 

Menopause typically starts between the ages 45 and 55 - on average at age 51, with perimenopause starting several years prior as hormones start to decline or become imbalanced. ​

CHINESE MEDICINE & HOT FLUSHES
Hot flushes and night sweats are the most well-known symptoms of menopause. Many women who experience them will get flushes at varying frequencies - from three or four times a day to almost hourly, for anywhere from one to five years. More than just a ‘nuisance’, hot flushes and night sweats can cause a cascade of effects, including:

• Fatigue, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating
• Anxiety, depression, and mood swings
• Digestive issues, sluggish metabolism, and weight gain
• Headaches

The intensity of the symptoms vary with each individual but also with how we handle stress and how well we nourish our bodies. Smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity all increase the likelihood of experiencing hot flushes. Other common triggers include caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, heat, smoking, and stress. The key to a smoother transition and a more positive experience during menopause is to address the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands produce hormones that help regulate metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress, and other essential functions.

Many women feel frustration or difficulty in managing the variety of symptoms experienced during perimenopause and menopause and seek natural relief rather than hormone therapy. Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, herbs, and dietary changes, provides effective, hormone-free relief from the discomfort associated with all stages and symptoms of menopause by ‘recalibrating’ and regulating the adrenal glands. Tailored treatments including specifically targeted herbal formulas can provide support and reduce symptoms. Most of my clients start to “turn the corner” after about three or four weeks of treatment when their hot flushes and night sweats dissipate and become less intense. As hormone levels become more regulated, the frequency of treatments decrease until only maintenance treatments are required.

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