Menopause and Hot Flushes: Understanding the Transitional Phase
Menopause marks a significant phase in a woman’s life, signifying the end of the menstrual cycle and the cessation of fertility. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, although the onset can vary. During this transitional period, hormonal fluctuations lead to a range of physical and emotional symptoms. While menopause itself is officially recognized after a woman has gone one full year without a menstrual period, the symptoms associated with this phase can begin several years prior.
One of the most common and disruptive symptoms of menopause is hot flushes, which are characterized by sudden feelings of intense heat, typically accompanied by sweating and followed by chills. Along with hot flushes, women may also experience other symptoms such as trouble sleeping, changes in menstrual regularity, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. These symptoms can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life, often requiring management through lifestyle changes, medical interventions, and complementary therapies.
Hot Flushes and Their Impact
Hot flushes are one of the hallmark symptoms of menopause and can vary in severity and frequency. They are thought to be related to hormonal changes, particularly the decline in estrogen levels, which affect the body’s temperature regulation mechanisms. Hot flushes may occur during the day or night (night sweats), causing disrupted sleep and contributing to fatigue and irritability.
Managing these symptoms can involve a combination of medical treatments, lifestyle adjustments, and natural therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and stress management techniques, all aimed at restoring balance and improving overall well-being during this significant life stage.
Diagnostic Patterns
The Chinese Medicine treatment of menopause (hot flashes) generally involves arriving at the appropriate TCM diagnosis or pattern. This pattern within the individual is what treatment is based on not the general condition. The following patterns may represent the underlying contributing factors for the development of menopause (hot flashes): Kidney essence deficiency or kidney yin deficiency.
The commonly used herbal formula include: Er Xian Tang, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, and Suan Zao Ren Tang.
Research
Acupuncture improves the hot flash frequency and severity, menopause-related symptoms, and QoL (vasomotor domain) in natural menopause (Chiu 2015 – MA of 12 studies; 2 high-quality studies, 8 moderate and 2 low)(1) Promising results;
Selva Ovid 2013 (Review of 8 SRs and 9 RCTs)(2) Acupuncture superior to wait-list or no treatment; weak positive evidence
Acupuncture superior to sham in reducing severity but not frequency; very low quality evidence Acupuncture inferior to hormone therapy in QoL and frequency; no difference in severity weak positive evidence (Dodin 2013 – Cochrane SR of 16 RCTs)(3)
References
1. Chiu HY, Pan CH, Shyu YK, Han BC, Tsai PS. Effects of acupuncture on menopause-related symptoms and quality of life in women in natural menopause: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Menopause. 2015 Feb;22(2):234-44.
2. Selva Olid A, Martinez Zapata MJ, Sola I, Stojanovic Z, Uriona Tuma SM, Bonfill Cosp X. Efficacy and Safety of Needle Acupuncture for Treating Gynecologic and Obstetric Disorders: An Overview. Med Acupunct. 2013 Dec 1;25(6):386-97.
3. Dodin S, Blanchet C, Marc I, Ernst E, Wu T, Vaillancourt C, et al. Acupuncture for menopausal hot flushes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013(7):Cd007410.