Each woman will experience menopause differently. Although, more than 57% of women will experience hot flushes and night sweats during their menopausal periods.1 When it occurs at night time, it may be greatly disruptive to sleep.
It mostly begins at age between 45 and 49 years and lasts an average of 10 years.1
It is described as a sudden heat rising towards the face or upper body accompanied by profuse sweating.1 You may have other symptoms such as nausea, anxiety, light headedness, and an overactive mind. 1 The western medicine offers several types of hormone replacement therapy with lifestyle advice. It includes smoking cessation, healthy diet, regular exercise, avoiding spicy foods, avoiding excess alcohol and caffeine, and tight clothing.1
What causes hot flushes?
It is still unknown but dr Mansberg says what we know is that the flushes come from falling levels of oestrogen. 2
How does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) view hot flushes?
Hot flushes in the TCM is the heat rising upwards from the lack of cooling aspects of your body. The cooling aspects are your blood, body fluids, hormones, and your female reproductive organs. When these are starting to become dry or degenerated, the body’s regulation system becomes disrupted. The heat in nature rises upwards. It may affect your upper body and face such as dry, irritated eyes, blurred vision and dry mouth etc. 4
How does TCM support women going through menopause?
With acupuncture, we balance the yin and yang by guiding the heat downwards and strengthen your organs to restore the cooling systems. If your sleep is disrupted, acupuncture may help to address your insomnia. Sleep is a vital key for any restoration of your body system. Chinese herbs may help to provide actual materials to restore your cooling system.
I particularly enjoy helping women through the different phases of our lives with acupuncture and herbal medicine. If you have any questions about your menopause condition, you can make an online booking, submit an online enquiry on youngmi@rippleacupuncture.com.au or call me on 0402 474 884.
Reference
Australian Menopause Centre Hot Flushes (or Hot Flashes); Available from: https://www.menopausecentre.com.au/hot-flushes/
Mansber G. The M Word: How to thrive in Menopause. Murdoch Books 2020
Image [Internet]. Top 7 products for menopausal women; [cited 2023 Oct 24]. Available from: https://www.nebraskamed.com/womens-health/health/conditions-and-services/top-7-products-for-menopausal-women
Optometrist network. Dry Eye and menopause; [cited 2023 Nov 28]. Available from: https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-eye-conditions/dry-eye/what-is-dry-eye-syndrome/dry-eye-and-menopause/
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