Acupuncture Eases Menopause

Acupuncture can help ease menstrual pain, pregnancy-related back pain, and now, a small new study suggests, it can also reduce the severity of hot flashes. Of the 53 menopausal women who took part in the study, about half received acupuncture treatments twice a week for 10 weeks while the others received "sham" acupuncture (in which needles are placed randomly rather than traditional therapeutic locations). Results showed that in addition to easing the hot flashes, true acupuncture also elicited a beneficial effect on mood swings among the women treated. No such changes took place among those who received the sham acupuncture. Treatment didn’t affect vaginal dryness or the number of urinary tract infections among the women in the study, which was published in the March issue of the journal Acupuncture and Medicine. Elsewhere, mindfulness classes, including instruction on meditation and stretching, improved the quality of life among women experiencing severe hot flashes. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester randomly assigned 110 women either to attend mindfulness classes for eight weeks or to sign up on a waiting list for the classes. Afterwards, the women in the mindfulness classes reported being less bothered by their hot flashes, less stressed and anxious and better able to sleep. This study was published online on Feb. 26 by Menopause

My take? These two studies suggest reasonable alternatives to hormone replacement therapy for women suffering from severe menopausal symptoms. I often recommend black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) for the treatment of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. While it works well for some women, it doesn't help everyone. My belief is that mental attitude has a lot to do with how well a woman adjusts to menopause. If it is seen as simply the natural transition to the next phase of life, it can be readily accepted and more easily handled. In addition, following an anti-inflammatory diet, getting adequate aerobic exercise, and practicing relaxation techniques can help address the many practical problems that menopause can bring.