Menopause

From around the age of 40 our body will start preparing for the menopause. or the cessation of periods and our bodies will give way to a whole host of symptoms and this is called the perimenopausal stage. For the actual menopause stage to happen a woman needs to have had no periods for at least 12 months. So, to break it down here are the 3 stages of menopause:

Menopause – this is the last menstrual period. Periods stop due to low levels of estragon and progesterone which do not stimulate the lining of the womb (endometrium) in the normal cycle. Hormone levels at this stage can fluctuate for several years before eventually becoming so low that the endometrium stays thin and does not bleed

Perimenopause – Peri means ‘around’ so this is the stage leading up to the menopause and can last between 2 and 6 years. The actual menopause is the point when you have your last ever period so sometimes when women ‘talk of going through the menopause’ this is the actual stage they are talking of.

Postmenopause – is the time following the last period, and is usually defined as more than 12 months with no periods

Here are some of the symptoms of perimeopausal which can vary from woman to woman:

  • Sleep disturbances
  • Anxiety with no discernible cause
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Forgetfulness
  • PMS
  • Mood swings
  • Changes in cycle length (can be longer or shorter)
  • Bleeding more or less
  • Less vaginal lubrication
  • Lower sex drive
  • Hot flushes or night sweats

Making a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle can play a part in making the transition easier and taking supplements to support bone health. I recommend Marilyn Grenville’s “Natural Solutions to Menopause for anyone who wants a natural approach to combating and supporting the symptoms associated with the stages of Menopause

Can acupuncture for menopause help to manage the symptoms?

Acupuncture for the management of menopausal symptoms has not been a widely researched, but the British Acupuncture Council website reports that randomised controlled trials have found acupuncture to be as effective as hormonal drug treatment for managing symptoms of menopause.

Using Chinese medicine we look at the body and mind as a whole system – no single part can be understood except in relation to the whole. Each symptom is chased back to look at its root. We aim to treat both the root and the branch. Our treatments are therefore tailored to fit the particular needs of each new person we see.

A small study in 2019 found that 5 weeks of acupuncture reduced hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and sleep disturbances in women dealing with menopause symptoms and can be found here https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/1/e023637

Patient testimonial

“Known Melanie a while now and been having acupuncture for a few weeks to help with menopausal issues. After each session i felt better and better, pain subsiding and general mood lifting. My anxiety has changed quite dramatically also. Mel is kind and understanding person who always makes you feel at ease, absolutely love having the treatment, so thank you Mel”

Elaine Owen