What Are the Uses of Acupuncture for Menopause?

Acupuncture for menopause is used to help to reduce related symptoms in women. The process is based on an ancient Chinese practice in which needles are inserted at various points of the body in order to change the flow of energy. The reduced occurrence of hot flashes seems to be the primary benefit of acupuncture in menopausal women because the practice might decrease the body temperature. Acupuncture is also used to relieve moodiness and depression during menopause. While acupuncture for menopause can be an alternative or a complementary approach to conventional medications, it will not completely cure this natural aging process.

The practice of acupuncture is widely used throughout Asia, while it is considered as an alternative form of medical treatment in other regions of the world. A trained practitioner inserts solid needles throughout different points of the body — the exact placement depends on the patient’s health ailments and treatment needs. Some professionals utilize electrical stimulation during sessions in order to enhance the effects of acupuncture.

Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause, and changing hormones are to blame. Endorphins often decline during this time, which can adversely affect body temperature by making it increase. Acupuncture for menopause is thought to decrease the incidence of hot flashes by stimulating endorphin production within the body.

Before women use acupuncture for menopause, it is important to note that the practice is not a cure, since this is a naturally occurring event during the aging process. Acupuncture can, however, help to alleviate symptoms, and this fact is generally recognized by both conventional doctors as well as alternative medicine practitioners. As of 2011, it is unclear whether there is a link between increased estrogen production and acupuncture, so patients should not solely rely on this method of treatment if their doctors recommend hormone replacement therapy for estrogen, which is produced during child-birthing years and depreciates in prevalence during menopause.

Many women take prescription hormone replacements and antidepressants as a method to decrease menopausal symptoms. Such medications can be risky, especially if patients are not monitored regularly for influxes in hormone levels. Just like changes in endorphins can affect hot flashes during menopause, the same effects can also decrease moodiness while improving bouts of depression. Women who are actively taking prescription medications should consider consulting with their doctors before utilizing acupuncture for menopause.