During perimenopause, ovarian function slows down, leading to irregular or unpredictable periods, and estrogen and progesterone levels drop and fall out of balance. Other hormonal systems are also affected – a sluggish thyroid can slow metabolism and cause mood swings, and the adrenals are more sensitive to stress, making it harder to concentrate, and harder to fall and stay asleep. Long-term stress also aggravates hormonal imbalance.
Hot flushes are one of the most disruptive symptoms of menopause. Dropping levels of estrogen are thought to affect the brain region responsible for controlling body temperature, the hypothalamus, narrowing its “thermoregulatory zone”. In other words, a small rise in outside temperatures, such as walking into a heated room, is now interpreted as overheating, and the response is to try and cool the body by suddenly increasing blood flow to the skin, which women experience as a hot flush. Hot flushes can be associated with sweating, night sweats and disrupted sleep, chills, anxiety and even heart palpitations.
People with tired adrenals (often from years of overuse, overwork, and stress) can experience worse symptoms during perimenopause – as the ovaries slow down the adrenals should take over to continue to regulate hormones, but if adrenals are depleted the body will find it harder to adjust. When these deep reserves of energy are strengthened, the transition into menopause is smoother.
How can acupuncture reduce hot flushes?
Acupuncture can help the body relax and manage stress better, and this is good news for addressing hot flushes. Studies show that higher stress levels seem to be linked to increased hot flushes and temperature sensitivity. Women experiencing menopausal hot flushes may have an overactive sympathetic nervous system (responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response to stress), while the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for returning the body to a state of relaxation and restoring digestion and other key processes) is less active. Acupuncture has been found to regulate the parasympathetic nervous system, as it stimulates the vagus nerve, and is an easy way to reduce the effects of stress and bring the body back to a state of cool and calm. Most women notice a reduction in the frequency and intensity of their hot flushes and night sweats and improved sleep, energy, and moods.
What about Chinese herbal medicine?
When I work with women to help smooth the perimenopause transition, Chinese herbal medicine, supplements, and lifestyle changes are also important to maintain your results. To get a head start, try reducing food that are traditionally thought to create more “heat” in the body, particularly coffee, red wine, and chilli.
To find out how we can support you to feel more like yourself again, with renewed health and vitality, please contact us – we would love to hear from you.
