Treating Menopausal Hot Flashes with Acupuncture and Herbs

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have enjoyed a rich, extensive history in treating an array of female health concerns.

Chinese medicine has successfully treated conditions ranging from PMS to postpartum care to dysmenorrhea and menopause. Menopause is another aspect of female health that can be extremely challenging for women, as hot flashes and night sweats can be extremely uncomfortable and, at times, unbearable. Fortunately, acupuncture and herbs are an excellent option for menopausal women, as they offer safe, effective, and noninvasive treatments for these often debilitating symptoms.

In Chinese medicine, menopause is a time when many women become yin deficient, meaning that the cooling, moistening, and calming aspects of their physiology are weakened. This can lead to increased irritability, excess heat, anxiety, and insomnia. The primary treatment approach for menopausal women involves nourishing the yin with acupuncture and herbs.

Acupuncture is considered a cooling therapy. The stainless steel needles used during treatments are said to disperse Qi, meaning they unblock energy that has become stuck or stagnant. When energy remains stuck for too long, it generates heat, which can burn up the yin and lead to yin deficiency. We have heard many menopausal women say that they feel cooler immediately after the needles are inserted. The needles help deflate overheated and compressed areas, thereby reducing heat and blockage. Certain acupuncture points are also used specifically to nourish yin, rejuvenating the cooling aspects of one’s physiology.

In combination with acupuncture, Chinese herbs work synergistically to create continuity in clearing heat and nourishing yin between treatments. We highly recommend committing to this approach before using hormone therapy, as these natural options are free of side effects. Hormone therapy remains controversial in terms of its long-term effects. While it has worked wonders for many women in the short term, when we hear references to increased incidence of ovarian cancer, fibrocystic breasts, and emotional fluctuations, we cannot give it our full endorsement.

In our practice, we utilize five Chinese herbal formulas on a regular basis to treat hot flashes and night sweats. One of the most commonly used formulas helps clear heat and address accompanying symptoms such as low back pain, scanty dark urine, and low energy. This formula is safe, gentle, and can work wonders when it matches well with a patient’s constitution. Another regularly prescribed formula treats yin deficiency, which may manifest as insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and excess thirst. Another common formula addresses hot flashes due to a liver depressive heat pattern, including symptoms such as irritability, high stress, red eyes, headaches, and indigestion. The final formula we often use treats individuals who have experienced long-standing feelings of being cold with a more recent onset of hot flashes, low libido, fatigue, and low back pain.

Night sweats and hot flashes tend to respond very well to acupuncture and herbs.

It is important to keep in mind that these symptoms often have an underlying emotional component that also needs to be addressed before they fully resolve. It is natural to experience heightened emotions while healing this condition with acupuncture and herbs. If you are interested in trying herbs for hot flashes and night sweats, we highly recommend seeking the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. When self-diagnosing and self-medicating, it is easy to miss the right combination for your unique constitution, and having professional support can make this process significantly more effective.