In the past, Western doctors often thought the problems associated with menopause were due to an estrogen deficiency.  In Chinese medicine, menopause is not thought of in relation to hormones but as a deficiency of the blood and qi (energy) flowing to the kidney and liver. Acupuncture has been known to relieve symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, and emotional conditions such as mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, and stress. According to Xiaoyan Hu, BA, LAc, an associate clinic faculty member at Northwestern Health Sciences University, acupuncture is very beneficial to patients and relieves menopausal symptoms almost immediately. To understand how acupuncture practices relieve menopausal symptoms, it’s necessary to understand certain Chinese medicinal concepts that define their philosophies.

The most important concept is the yin and yang. According to Chinese medicine, yin and yang are generic opposing concepts that describe all phenomena in the universe. The yin and yang is a theory that describes the relationship of one thing with another. Their relationship is in a constant flux and one cannot be present without the other because both are necessary to life. Yin and yang must be in a dynamic harmonious balance in order to achieve optimal health.

• Yin. This refers to female, cold, darkness, heavy, downward/inward, bones, organs, and calm.
• Yang. This refers to the opposite  —  male, hot, light, upward/outward, surface, bowels, and agitated.

The vital substances of Chinese medical physiology that affect the yin and yang:

• Essence. This refers to the vital physical presence (spirit) of the body and all physical elements that are responsible for determining physical growth and development.
• Qi. This refers to “energy” that propels all bodily function and is responsible for the movement, warmth, transformation and restraint of the blood.
• Blood.  Blood is the underlying nourishment of the functions of qi. Blood is the physical manifestation of the woman.
• Bodily fluids. Bodily fluids are a general term for all water/fluids in the body. Bodily fluids moisten the skin, hair, joints, organs, and tissues of the body and to allow for smooth movement of joints and other body parts. The yin are the thick fluids that line the internal organs, cushion the brain and spinal cord. The yang are the thinner fluids such as sweat, saliva, urine, etc.

TCM View of Menopause:

When a person is young and healthy, they produce an abundance of qi and blood which is stored by the kidneys and the liver. Menstruation is due to the overabundance of qi and blood. When blood is lost, some of a woman’s essence is lost since blood is the physical manifestation of a woman.  As menopause approaches, the production of both of these vital substances is lessened and the woman holds on to her remaining blood, maintaining her essence. Therefore, menopause is thought of as a deficiency of qi and blood flowing to the kidney and liver. Menopause slows the overall aging process by preventing unnecessary losses of these vital substances while maintaining essence.

Why Acupuncture Helps Menopausal Symptoms:

Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin, sterilized needles into specific points in the body. These specific points in the body contain special concentrations of qi and blood. During menopause, qi and blood are out of balance/harmony and moving in the wrong directions. Therefore, insertion of the needles into specific points in the body helps the qi and blood flow in the right directions and produce the proper amounts.

How Often Acupuncture is Needed to Relieve Menopausal Symptoms:

Dr. Hu suggests that acupuncture for menopausal complaints be done once a week for several months, depending on the severity of the symptoms.  Honora Lee Wolfe, author of “Managing Menopause Naturally with Chinese Medicine,” says women usually respond well to acupuncture treatments twice a week for the first few weeks, following up with treatment every week for another several weeks. Wolfe strongly recommends monthly acupuncture sessions after that because the condition can reoccur.  Dr. Hu says professionally administered treatments from a licensed acupuncturist typically include acupuncture treatments in conjunction with a combination herbal formula. Again it’s best to discuss with an acupuncturist you know and trust about what treatments are best for you depending on your symptoms and health history.

When to Expect Results:

The effects are often immediate. Once the qi and the blood are flowing again, the symptoms disappear and many patients feel better after the first treatment. Because irritability and nervous tension are often due to a deficiency of qi and blood flow to the liver, most people feel immediate relief of these symptoms as well. However, in general the process toward improvement can be expected to be a gradual, progressive one.

Does It Hurt?

Traditionally, acupuncture is said to be painless. However, some patients will feel slight sensations of soreness, heaviness, or electrical tingling where the needle is inserted. However, in general, if there is any discomfort, it is very negligible.

Side Effects:

Acupuncture rarely has any unwanted side effects. Sometimes a patient reports drowsiness for a few hours after the treatment or mild numbness or aching at the point where the need was inserted but there are no known long-term debilitating effects

Source: Honora Lee Wolfe, Managing Menopause Naturally with Chinese Medicine (1998), Blue Poppy Press, Inc. pgs 17-26, 126-130.