Acupuncture to Curb Menopausal Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are one of the most common and uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Menopause hot flashes occur because a woman’s hormones become out of balance. These hot flashes are different in every woman. Some are very intense while others may be very mild. To alleviate the negative side effects that hot flashes have on a woman’s life, most people search for ways to stop them.

There are both natural and medical methods that are used to get through the symptoms of menopause. Because there are so many possible and dangerous side effects associated with pharmaceutical options, women look to more natural approaches to lessen their symptoms.

Why Acupuncture for Hot Flashes

One natural treatment for hot flashes is acupuncture. Many studies have proven that hot flashes through acupuncture are soothed and more manageable. Acupuncture has been a large part of Chinese medicine for many years. There may be a reason that Asian women are one of the least likely groups of females to experience hot flashes. It is important to remember that acupuncture may not totally eliminate the symptoms, but makes them extremely more livable.

To understand how acupuncture affects hot flashes, the actual procedure involved with acupuncture must be comprehended. A common analogy used to explain acupuncture is to say that the body has flows of energy running throughout it. These are referred to as meridians. When one of these becomes clogged, the energy cannot be distributed correctly. These blockages lead to people experiencing health conditions such as hot flashes. Acupuncture involves heat, herbs, and small needles to stimulate hormone production. This restores the body into better balance. The symptoms experienced during menopause are usually related to the imbalance of the kidney’s Yin and Yang.

As a woman gets hot flashes, medical professionals recognize that there is an imbalance in the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The Chinese feel that to obtain harmony in the body, all chemicals must be in order. An acupuncture treatment stimulates the production of progesterone and estrogen through specific points of the body. Each point will be found in different spots on each woman. It must be considered what type of diet and lifestyle each woman has.

Acupuncture or Placebo

The leading study that supports the theory that menopause hot flashes through acupuncture are alleviated was done in Turkey. Here 53 postmenopausal women were gathered together. Half of the group received 5 week acupuncture treatments, while the other half got fake treatments. The real acupuncture group received needles at 10 specific spots at the time the placebo group got stuck with needles that did not enter the skin. At the end of the study, the results displayed that the females who got real acupuncture had higher amounts of relief from their symptoms as opposed to the females who were treated by placebo. Their hot flashes were less intense while there was no difference for women with the fake treatment. Also, estrogen levels increased greatly in women receiving a real acupuncture procedure.

In a larger study, 260 postmenopausal women who suffered from severe hot flashes for a full week were examined. Similarly, this group was divided in half. The first group was given 10 acupuncture treatments and advice on taking care of themselves. The other group only got the advice. The results were that hot flashes fell in the group receiving the treatment. Those receiving acupuncture also reported better sleep and physical wellness. These studies suggest that acupuncture is a great alternative to long term hormone replacement therapy.

Hormone replacement therapy has many risks for a menopausal woman. This option brings increased risk of endometrial cancer, blood clots, stroke, high blood pressure, and gall bladder disease. Acupuncture has none of these dangers associated to it. Therefore, it is a much safer approach to lessening hot flashes.

Even though there is no scientific evidence to support that acupuncture does not protect against hot flashes, it is thought to reduce the number of them and their intensity. Larger studies must be conducted before acupuncture can be recommended as a treatment for menopausal hot flashes. Other ways to naturally manage menopausal symptoms include eating a balanced diet and following a regular exercise regime. As with any new treatment, it is wise to consult a doctor before beginning an acupuncture treatment.