Acupuncture - Restoring Balance to Body and Mind
Julian Kingscote
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MenopauseBack

The menopause is a time of transition and marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. Some women are fortunate and do not suffer unduly during this period. For others the menopause can be a very unpleasant experience and cause a lot of stress and worry. The medical literature reveals an inconsistent and varied list of symptoms related to the menopause. Some of the symptoms that a woman may experience include the following: -

  • Hot flushes
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Palpitations (awareness of the heart beating)
  • Pain in the joints
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety, irritability, nervousness, moodiness
  • Osteoporosis

All of these symptoms can occur in women without the menopause. However it is the clustering or combination of these symptoms that forms the 'menopausal syndrome'.

There are also cultural differences in the manifestation of menopausal symptoms. For example, in the Rajput caste in India the women report virtually no symptoms related to the menopause. Interestingly, in this culture the woman's status increases after the menopause and she is given certain privileges.

In addition to all the biological changes with menopause, women have to confront and deal with many changes in their lives. Big adjustments have to be made such as 'empty nest syndrome' - as sons and daughters leave to set up their own homes.

The treatment of menopausal symptoms in Western medicine involves HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy. Thus, the menopause is regarded as a deficiency of oestrogen that needs to be supplemented. HRT is a controversial treatment programme and since it is relatively new, physicians are only now beginning to understand what the long-term implications of this drug may be. Please click on the text HRT for more information about this.

How can Acupuncture and the theory of Traditional Chinese medicine help with the symptoms of menopause?

The Chinese medical model is very different to what we are used to in the West. Instead of talking about the ovaries, pituitary gland and the role of oestrogen, they talk about the Directing (Chong) vessel, Conception (Ren) vessel and the Kidney channels. Acupuncture does affect the hormonal system even though the Chinese do not have a concept of the hormonal system as viewed in the West.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs function by regulating the channels & organs and restoring balance within the body. By doing this the menopausal symptoms will disappear over a period of months. There will be a gradual improvement. Furthermore, treatment is tailored to each individual and priority is given to the symptoms that are most dominant.