Since the Women’s Health Initiative Study, and Million Women Study raised concerns about the safety of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause both women and their doctors have been left looking for alternatives.

The Women’s Health Initiative Study on effects of HRT was stopped in March 2004 because of increased risk of strokes (Anderson et al, 2004). The Million Women Study reported increased risk of breast cancer (Beral, 2003) and endometrial cancer (Beral et al, 2005). Popularity of HRT has decreased leaving women uncertain of their options.

Menopause can be a very positive time when women experience new confidence and freedom, developing a strong sense of ease with themselves. However the physical symptoms can be difficult to deal with. The successful business women does not want hot flushes to be apparent during a business meeting, as they may increase her sense of vulnerability. No woman wants to have her age, or loss of sexuality made apparent. However confident a woman feels, menopause is still regarded as a negative in our society. For many women this heralds a mixture of discomforts they don’t wish to admit to.

Additionally, the years between 40 and 60 represent the possible onset of a number of diseases for women. These include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, frozen shoulder, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, bereavement, migraine, IBS, and women’s cancers. Menopause may be brought on abruptly as a result of surgery or chemotherapy. Acupuncture has demonstrated long term relief from hot flushes in cancer patients (Filshie, 2005; Nedstrand, 2005).

At a time of life where multiple loss can be experienced, mood changes may develop and depression ensue. The increase in stress hormones results in further disruption of female hormones, hot flushes, sleep problems, and mood imbalance worsens. In all cases insomnia, exhaustion, and de-conditioning may exacerbate disease, and vice versa. So it is a time to really focus on positive health measures and preventative medicine.

Using acupuncture, nutrition, homeopathy, and herbs, both menopausal symptoms, concomitant disease, stress management, and mood changes can be addressed. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce hot flushes and sleep disturbance (Cohen, 2003), and is a safe, natural alternative to HRT (Wyon, 2004).

Diagnosis is established from clinical history, western pathology testing, and traditional Chinese medicine models, so that a precise prescription of acupuncture, food and supplements can be arrived at. Together acupuncture and nutrition offer a powerful solution to hormonal symptoms. The practice focuses on integrated medicine combining the subtleties of TCM with the latest clinical trial information.

References
Anderson, G.L., et al, (2004), Effects of conjugated equine estrogen in postmenopausal women with hysterectomy: the Women’s Health Initiative randomised controlled trial, JAMA Apr14;291(14):1701-12

Beral, V., 2003, Breast cancer and hormone replacement therapy in the Million Women Study, Lancet Oct 4;362 (9390)

Beral, V., Bull, D., Reeves, G., (2005), Endometrial cancer and hormone replacement therapy in the Million Women Study, Lancet Apr30-May6;365(9470):1517-8

Cohen, S.M., Rousseau, M.E, Carey, B.L., (2003), Can acupuncture ease the symptoms of menopause? Holist Nurs Pract Nov-Dec;17(6):295-9

Filshie, J., Bolton, T., Browne, D., Ashley, S. (2005), Acupuncture and self acupuncture for long-term treatment of vasomotor symptoms in cancer patients, Acupunct Med Dec:23(4):171-80

Nedstrand, E., Wijma, K., Wyon, Y., Hammar, M., 2005, Vasomotor symptoms decrease in women with breast cancer randomised to treatment with applied relaxation or electro-acupuncture: a preliminary study, Climacteric Sep;8(3):243-50

Wyon, Y., Wijma, K., Nedstrand, E., Hammar, M., (2004), A comparison of acupuncture and oral estradiol treatment of vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women, Climacteric Jun;7(2):153-64