Using Acupuncture to Treat Menopause
Menopause Treatment Options
Natural menopause for women generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 56. The on-set of menopause means that the reproductive hormones can no longer function naturally. These changes in hormones come with a degree and variety of side effects. Experts at Acupuncture of Columbus, Ohio and elsewhere believe that acupuncture can prove to be quite effective in treating menopause.
Noted side effects and symptoms
Leading a regular and normal life becomes quite difficult for some women going through menopause. Between 15% and 60% of menopausal women visit their local medical practitioners with complaints of a variety of symptoms. The most commonly reported symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, palpitations, insomnia and so on. The other very common complaints sited comprise of anxiety, depression, lethargy, vaginal dryness, urinary and other genital problems, aches and pains, and many more.
Treatment
The most common and traditional form of treatment is usually hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). But most women do not prefer this conventional form of treatment as it usually continues for years. Some women are even unwilling to or are advised against this treatment because it may have very disturbing side effects. As a result, most women resort to acupuncture to help them cope with the symptoms of menopause.
According to research carried out on the specialist acupuncture database, ARRCBASE, at least 30% of the women who opted for acupuncture are aged between 40 and 59. The effects of acupuncture on the hormones circulating in the blood are somewhat similar to the hormone replacement therapy.
The Study
In trials carried out on menopausal women with very distressing symptoms, it has been found that acupuncture often leads to an increase in other hormones such as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), testosterone, and cholesterol. Those women treated with electro acupuncture reported a decline in hot flushes by more than 50%. Some even confirmed complete disappearance of most of the symptoms.
Improvements in physical discomforts were seen in nearly all cases. There was an appreciable amount of improvement in the overall psychological well being as well. In most cases anxiety and depression could be treated perfectly.
It has also been found that, like HRT, the effects of acupuncture eventually wear off. There is a 13% chance of a recurrence in symptoms. In order to maintain the therapeutic benefits of acupuncture, monthly treatments are necessary.
Conclusion
The studies carried out by a team of experts and a research of the composite database built by Acupuncture Research Resource Centre (ARRCBASE) has determined that acupuncture therapy is indeed beneficial in reducing certain menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, depression and anxiety. The best part of treating menopause with acupuncture is that individuals can receive tailored treatment depending on their condition.
The studies carried out confirm that acupuncture has immense potential in treating anxiety, depression and other joint related troubles in menopausal women. But the studies carried out are not sufficient to prove this point. More research needs to be carried out to calculate the exact effectiveness of acupuncture in treating menopause.
Contact Us For More Information
For more information about how acupuncture, massage therapy and other alternative healing treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.