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Natural menopause
Since the Womens 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
Womens 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 dont
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 womens 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 Womens 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
Disclaimer
The contents of this site are for information only and are intended
to assist visitors in identifying symptoms and conditions they may
be experiencing. This site is not intended to be a substitute for
taking proper medical advice and should not be relied upon in this
way. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner or doctor,
especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any medication.
Your situation will need to be looked at individually and you should
not attempt to self-treat. The site authors cannot accept responsibility
for illness arising out of the failure to seek medical advice from
a doctor. |
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