Most women enter menopause between the age of 45–55, with many experiencing uncomfortable symptoms such as excessive sweating, heart palpitations, headaches, and insomnia. They can also feel vulnerable, easily angered or anxious, become disinterested in sexual activity, and usually have irregular periods before their periods stop altogether.
These symptoms arise due to decreased ovary function that leads to decreased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in the body. After menopause begins, Western doctors commonly address these symptoms with hormone replacement therapies of either estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and progesterone, but the side effects of these therapies can be concerning.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer found that “combined estrogen-progestogen menopausal therapy are carcinogenic to humans.” Progestogens are a synthetic form of the naturally occurring progesterone.
A study by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) found that women taking estrogen and progestins (drugs that act like progesterone) were more likely to develop breast cancer compared to women who did not take hormones. One out of nine women who did hormone therapy with only estrogen showed precancerous changes in the lining of their uterus, although these changes were not found in women who took both estrogen and progestins.
Chinese Medicine’s Perspective on Menopause
Traditional Chinese medicine explains that for females, yin energy and blood decrease with age. The effects are seen in the “liver” (TCM), which is where blood is stored, and the “kidneys”(TCM), which store the essence or the energy that governs important physical functions, including growth, brain development, and reproduction.
Blood and essence are seen as coming from the same source and can be changed into one another. Both blood and essence are yin, and a yin deficiency is characterized by a “false” excess of heat in the body, hot flashes, night sweats, and anger.
Treatments
To treat menopause, TCM focuses on liver and kidney function and finds that when the liver and kidneys are stronger, the female sexual organs secrete more estrogen, which relieves the hot flashes, night sweats, and other symptoms associated with menopause.
Acupuncture and herbs are often used together to strengthen the liver and kidneys. Acupuncture treatments involve inserting needles into specific points on the body to activate the female sexual organs, including the ovaries and uterus, which help balance hormones naturally. Chinese herbal medicine provides supporting nutrients for the organs.
When used together, the treatment methods boost the functioning of all related organs, not only easing the symptoms of menopause but also making women healthier. Chinese medicine treatments for menopause can also have the great side effects of making the woman look younger and extending life.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can also help treat women who develop menopause-like symptoms such as irregular menstruation, black spots on the face, and acne after stopping birth control pills.
Hummingbird Community Acupuncture in Boulder can help you access the root cause of your symptoms and come up with a great treatment plan that will help you feel better.
