Menopause
All women will go through menopause, and frequently this time of life comes with unwanted side effects, such as: hot flashes, hair loss, vaginal dryness, facial hair, and many others. The average age of menopause in the United States is 51 years old, however many women start to feel the effects of perimenopause a few years before this, and up to 50% of women suffer from symptoms 10 years after their last period![1]
Biomedical Treatment of Menopause:
When a woman permanently stops having menstrual periods, she has reached the stage of life called menopause, this stage signals the end of a woman's ability to have children. Menopause is said to be complete when menstrual periods have ceased for one continuous year. The transition phase before menopause is medically referred to as perimenopause. During this transition time before menopause, the supply of mature eggs in a woman’s ovaries diminishes and ovulation becomes irregular. At the same time, the production of estrogen and progesterone decreases. It is the enormous drop in estrogen levels that causes most of the symptoms commonly associated with menopause.
Biomedical treatments for menopause frequently involve hormone and estrogen therapy. Hormone Replacement Therapy involves the administration of a combination of the female hormones during perimenopause and menopause. HRT is can be prescribed as a pill, an injection, transdermal patches or vaginal creams. The decision to start the supplementation of these hormones should be made only after you and your healthcare provider have evaluated the risks and benefits based on your individual medical history. Estrogen therapy involves the administration of estrogen alone, which is frequently used when the body is no longer producing estrogen. Estrogen therapy is often prescribed for women who have had a hysterectomy. Taking these hormones may help with menopause symptoms, however many studies have shown negative side effects correlated with using hormone replacement therapy. In 2002 after a government commissioned study, the Women’s Health Initiative,[2] found that hormone therapy could increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and heart attacks. Due to the many side effects of HRT, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests that women who want to try HRT to manage their hot flashes or vaginal dryness use the lowest dose that works for the shortest time needed.
Acupuncture for Menopause: A Traditional Oriental Medicine Perspective:
In Traditional Oriental Medicine, women are described as developing in 7-year-cycles. In the 7th cycle, a woman reaches 49 years of age, which is when the flow of the menses is said to wane and eventually cease. In discussing menopause and acupuncture, you will frequently hear the discussion of kidney yin deficiency. Kidney yin is nourishing and sedating, as opposed to the active kidney yang energy. Kidney yin provides nourishment, restoration of the body and revitalization of energy. It is the cooling and moistening aspects of the body, and as we age, it gets depleted. Common physical symptoms of yin deficiency include: dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo, sore back, constipation, facial flush, night sweats, 5 center heat (chest, palms, soles), insomnia, dry mouth/throat, dry skin, dry eyes, vaginal dryness for women, fatigue, irritability, afternoon heat, and hot flashes. Mental signs of yin deficiency may include: agitation, panic attacks, feeling tired but wired, a sense of floating, or of being drained.
There are many studies that clinically show acupuncture helps reduce the side effects of menopause. In one clinical trial, women who received acupuncture had an increase in estrogen levels, and a decrease luteinizing hormones. Low levels of estrogen and high luteinizing hormones are characteristic of the menopause, as the ovaries start to fail.[3] Acupuncture relieves most of the common symptoms of menopause by regulating the fluctuating hormone levels women experience during menopause. This leads to a significant decline in hot flashes, an increase in energy, and an improvement in overall wellbeing. Traditionally speaking, acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used to boost your body’s kidney yin in order for you to have a smooth transition into a different stage of life. Dr. Chen’s Acupuncture P.C. looks forward to helping you bring your body back to harmony. All of our acupuncturists have years of experience in treating women with menopause, and experience is key in effective and efficient acupuncture. We look forward to working with you to reduce your symptoms of menopause.
Foods that Tonify and Boost Yin: [4]
Nutritional is an integral part of Chinese Medicine, because what one eats has a vast effect on the body’s overall health. The foods recommended for yin deficiency are meant to keep the body nourished, moist, and cool.
What can we do for you?
Dr. Chen’s Acupuncture P.C. has 3 convenient locations in New York City and our acupuncturists can help relieve your suffering from many of the common symptoms of menopause, such as: hot flashes, dry and itchy skin, night sweats, migraines, headaches, anxiety, forgetfulness, vaginal dryness, etcetera. You don’t have to suffer, it is important to manage menopausal symptoms as soon as they start to make sure that your body prepares itself for this natural process in a woman’s life. We are dedicated to helping you reduce your symptoms of menopause, whether you are a commuter from the tri-state area, a Manhattan resident, or a visitor, we strive to improve your wellbeing as efficiently as we can. Give us a call and schedule an appointment to find out how we can help you: 212-293-1722.
More References:
[1] Menopause women suffer hot flushes night sweats
[2] Estrogen Plus Progestin Study
[3] ScienceDaily - Acupuncture curbs severity of menopausal hot flushes, study suggests.
[4] Pitchford, Paul. Healing With Whole Foods. North Atlantic Books. 3rd Edition (November 5, 2002).
Disclaimer: All Content provided on or through the site is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis or treatment, and is not designed to promote or endorse any medical practice, program or agenda. Please speak with your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle.
Copyright © 2013 Dr Chen's Acupuncture P.C. , All rights reserved.
Biomedical Treatment of Menopause:
When a woman permanently stops having menstrual periods, she has reached the stage of life called menopause, this stage signals the end of a woman's ability to have children. Menopause is said to be complete when menstrual periods have ceased for one continuous year. The transition phase before menopause is medically referred to as perimenopause. During this transition time before menopause, the supply of mature eggs in a woman’s ovaries diminishes and ovulation becomes irregular. At the same time, the production of estrogen and progesterone decreases. It is the enormous drop in estrogen levels that causes most of the symptoms commonly associated with menopause.
Biomedical treatments for menopause frequently involve hormone and estrogen therapy. Hormone Replacement Therapy involves the administration of a combination of the female hormones during perimenopause and menopause. HRT is can be prescribed as a pill, an injection, transdermal patches or vaginal creams. The decision to start the supplementation of these hormones should be made only after you and your healthcare provider have evaluated the risks and benefits based on your individual medical history. Estrogen therapy involves the administration of estrogen alone, which is frequently used when the body is no longer producing estrogen. Estrogen therapy is often prescribed for women who have had a hysterectomy. Taking these hormones may help with menopause symptoms, however many studies have shown negative side effects correlated with using hormone replacement therapy. In 2002 after a government commissioned study, the Women’s Health Initiative,[2] found that hormone therapy could increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and heart attacks. Due to the many side effects of HRT, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests that women who want to try HRT to manage their hot flashes or vaginal dryness use the lowest dose that works for the shortest time needed.
Acupuncture for Menopause: A Traditional Oriental Medicine Perspective:
In Traditional Oriental Medicine, women are described as developing in 7-year-cycles. In the 7th cycle, a woman reaches 49 years of age, which is when the flow of the menses is said to wane and eventually cease. In discussing menopause and acupuncture, you will frequently hear the discussion of kidney yin deficiency. Kidney yin is nourishing and sedating, as opposed to the active kidney yang energy. Kidney yin provides nourishment, restoration of the body and revitalization of energy. It is the cooling and moistening aspects of the body, and as we age, it gets depleted. Common physical symptoms of yin deficiency include: dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo, sore back, constipation, facial flush, night sweats, 5 center heat (chest, palms, soles), insomnia, dry mouth/throat, dry skin, dry eyes, vaginal dryness for women, fatigue, irritability, afternoon heat, and hot flashes. Mental signs of yin deficiency may include: agitation, panic attacks, feeling tired but wired, a sense of floating, or of being drained.
There are many studies that clinically show acupuncture helps reduce the side effects of menopause. In one clinical trial, women who received acupuncture had an increase in estrogen levels, and a decrease luteinizing hormones. Low levels of estrogen and high luteinizing hormones are characteristic of the menopause, as the ovaries start to fail.[3] Acupuncture relieves most of the common symptoms of menopause by regulating the fluctuating hormone levels women experience during menopause. This leads to a significant decline in hot flashes, an increase in energy, and an improvement in overall wellbeing. Traditionally speaking, acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used to boost your body’s kidney yin in order for you to have a smooth transition into a different stage of life. Dr. Chen’s Acupuncture P.C. looks forward to helping you bring your body back to harmony. All of our acupuncturists have years of experience in treating women with menopause, and experience is key in effective and efficient acupuncture. We look forward to working with you to reduce your symptoms of menopause.
Foods that Tonify and Boost Yin: [4]
Nutritional is an integral part of Chinese Medicine, because what one eats has a vast effect on the body’s overall health. The foods recommended for yin deficiency are meant to keep the body nourished, moist, and cool.
- Grains and vegetables: millet, barley, wheat germ, rice,quinoa, seaweeds, spirulina, tofu, black beans, kidney beans, mung beans, beets.
- Fruits: persimmon, grapes, blackberries, raspberries, mulberries, bananas, watermelon.
- Dairy: cow or goat milk/yogurt/cheese, chicken egg.
- Meats: clam,abalone, oyster, duck, beef, pork.
What can we do for you?
Dr. Chen’s Acupuncture P.C. has 3 convenient locations in New York City and our acupuncturists can help relieve your suffering from many of the common symptoms of menopause, such as: hot flashes, dry and itchy skin, night sweats, migraines, headaches, anxiety, forgetfulness, vaginal dryness, etcetera. You don’t have to suffer, it is important to manage menopausal symptoms as soon as they start to make sure that your body prepares itself for this natural process in a woman’s life. We are dedicated to helping you reduce your symptoms of menopause, whether you are a commuter from the tri-state area, a Manhattan resident, or a visitor, we strive to improve your wellbeing as efficiently as we can. Give us a call and schedule an appointment to find out how we can help you: 212-293-1722.
More References:
- John Hopkins: Introduction to menopause
- PBS:New online tool helps women map their menopause symptoms
- MedicineNet.com - Hormone Replacement Therapy
- WebMD - Hormone Replacement Therapy
[1] Menopause women suffer hot flushes night sweats
[2] Estrogen Plus Progestin Study
[3] ScienceDaily - Acupuncture curbs severity of menopausal hot flushes, study suggests.
[4] Pitchford, Paul. Healing With Whole Foods. North Atlantic Books. 3rd Edition (November 5, 2002).
Disclaimer: All Content provided on or through the site is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis or treatment, and is not designed to promote or endorse any medical practice, program or agenda. Please speak with your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle.
Copyright © 2013 Dr Chen's Acupuncture P.C. , All rights reserved.
