Symptoms of Menopause Alleviated by Integrative Chinese Medicine
Symptoms of menopause can be significantly reduced with the use of Chinese medicine. Menopause is the natural endpoint of a woman’s menstrual cycle usually occurring between the ages of 40-55. The transition through menopause can last months or over the course of years with symptoms caused by hormonal fluctuations.
Chinese medicine has proven to be an effective treatment modality alone and when integrated into a multiple modality treatment plan for the symptoms of menopause.
Integrative medicine is a term used to describe use of therapeutic modalities in conjunction with one another. Often integrative approaches use modalities not considered conventional medical practices alongside more familiar ones. Research and clinical experience have shown that an integrative approach to managing menopausal symptoms is very effective when Chinese medicine is used.
Both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have proven to provide relief from symptoms such as hot flushes, sudden sweating, sleep disturbances, irritability, related pain, and depression. Consequently, Chinese medicine has been successfully used as primary modalities for treatment of distressful symptoms during menopause, and as part of an integrated system of care using other care modalities as well.(1).
Among research findings for the effectiveness of Chinese Medicine in integrated treatment of menopause, acupuncture has been found to work particularly well in an integrated system of care. One study looked at acupuncture in conjunction with therapeutic nutritional planning. Specifically, acupuncture combined along with a diet providing chiefly fruits and vegetables, significantly reduced menopausal symptoms.(2)
Menopause is the natural endpoint of a woman’s menstrual cycle usually occurring between the ages of 40-55. The transition through menopause can last months or over the course of years with symptoms caused by hormonal fluctuations.
