In light of the recent problems with HRT shortages, it is even more important that women are aware of the alternative drug-free treatments available to them.
Acupuncture has long been used as an effective treatment to help menopausal and peri-menopausal women navigate the array of symptoms they experience – including hot flushes and sweats, headaches, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, depression, reduced sex drive and vaginal dryness.
Recent studies have found acupuncture to be effective in reducing these symptoms [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] without severe side effects [4]. Studies also showed acupuncture increases oestrogen, especially estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and other hormones [5].
[1] Chien, T et al (2019) The maintenance effect of acupuncture on breast cancer-related menopause symptoms: a systematic review. Climacteric. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31612733
[2] Palma, F et al (2019) Acupuncture or phy(F)itoestrogens vs. (E)strogen plus progestin on menopausal symptoms. A randomized study. Gynecological Endocrinology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31142156
[3] Kargozar, R et al (2019) Urtica dioica in comparison with placebo and acupuncture: A new possibility for menopausal hot flashes: A randomized clinical trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31126551
[4] Lund, K et al (2019) Efficacy of a standardised acupuncture approach for women with bothersome menopausal symptoms: a pragmatic randomised study in primary care (the ACOM study). BMJ Open. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30782712
[5] Ko, J. & Kim, S. (2018) A Literature Review of Women’s Sex Hormone Changes by Acupuncture Treatment: Analysis of Human and Animal Studies. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30581481
[6] Li, S et al (2018) A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Electroacupuncture for Perimenopause Women with Mild-Moderate Depression. BioMed Research International. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30003102
[7] Fu, C et al (2017) Acupuncture Improves Peri-menopausal Insomnia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Sleep. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29029258