Effects of Acupuncture on Menopause: Part 1

Although symptoms typical of menopause may ease in the so-called postmenopausal phase, they sometimes persist during this stage. A recent study explored the effects of acupuncture on hot flashes and health-related quality of life in postmenopausal people.

Summary: Participants included postmenopausal people who experienced an average of seven hot flashes a day. The experimental group received ten acupuncture treatments and self-care advice, while the control group received only self-care advice. The participants recorded the frequency and severity (on a scale of one to ten) of their hot flashes. Their health-related quality of life was measured by the Women’s Health Questionnaire.

Results: The hot flash frequency decreased by 5.8 per 24 hours in the experimental group and 3.7 per 24 hours in the control group. The hot flash severity also decreased by 3.2 units in the experimental group and 1.8 in the control group. Additionally, results of the Women’s Health Questionnaire showed that the experimental group experienced statistically significant improvements in vasomotor, sleep, and somatic symptoms compared with the control group.

Conclusion: Acupuncture in combination with self-care can reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and improve quality of life in those who are postmenopausal .

Check back next week for more research on how acupuncture can ease the symptoms of menopause.

Curious to try acupuncture? Reach out or book an appointment here.

Source:

Borud, Einar Kristian, et al. (2009). The Acupuncture on Hot Flushes Among Menopausal Women (ACUFLASH) study, a randomized controlled trial. The Journal of The North American Menopause Society (16)3, 484-493.