Treatment Methods For Menopause Problems

By Peichen Yen, LAc, DiplOM

Yens Acupuncture

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Treatment Methods For Menopause Problems

Menopause is a natural event that normally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Many health problems occur around this age because the declining and fluctuating level of sex hormones makes it difficult for the body adapting itself properly. The severity of health problems may be dependent on overall health, diet and lifestyle, and may last from months to years. About 10-15% of women will experience severe symptoms and seek medical attention.

Menopause should be treated as a natural event, not a medical crisis. From a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective, menopause symptoms are the result of a disrupted balance between the internal organs, and therapies should be aimed to motivate the organs to shift into a new balance. The multiple components of herbal remedies can target the internal disharmony through different aspects of the body, such as various metabolic processes in the hypothalamus-pituitary-sex gland axis, and thus create a comprehensive regulating effect to maintain the stability of internal environment, ensure a slow, gentle and smooth hormonal transition.

Generally, TCM believes that principles like nourishing yin and tonifying kidney are essential to every treatment. When dealing with menopause symptoms, dispelling liver stagnation and reinforcing the spleen are important, while activating blood and qi (vital energy), as well as dissolving phlegm and stasis are necessary for complex conditions.

In TCM theory, menopause problems involve a natural decline of kidney functioning, and blood and depletions as well as blockage of the and in the pelvic region. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapies can invigorate the kidney functioning, boost the production of blood and essence, and remove blockages in the meridians, so that the body can rebuild a new balance smoothly.

Clinically, acupuncture and moxibustion form the important parts of TCM menopause treatment, and they work on particular to create comprehensive regulating effects that benefit the whole body. For example, acupuncture stimulates certain points to activate the ovaries, to promote hormonal secretions, and to enhance the immune system. With appropriate point selection and stimulating techniques, they can also address specific health needs.

Acupuncture and moxibustion therapies are not only effective in alleviating many menopause symptoms, but also help slow down the degeneration of the ovaries so as to let the body adjust itself properly.