20/02/2024
"The Stages of Menopausal Transition"
The body’s transition through menopause is categorized into 3 stages that start roughly around the age of 45 or 55 for most women unless the ovaries are removed at an earlier age. The first stage is called perimenopause and marks the start of the changes in body hormones as the ovaries gradually stop working. This stage occurs in the 2 to 10 years leading up to menopause and can include symptoms such as mood swings, irregular periods, trouble sleeping, night sweats and hot flashes, or frequent urination. Once a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without having a period, she is in menopause. Many perimenopausal symptoms may continue into menopause with the addition of new symptoms like depression, forgetfulness, or fatigue. Once it has been over a year without a period and the hormone fluctuations from menopause begin to stabilize, the body enters post menopause until the end of life. Some symptoms may gradually begin to alleviate during post menopause, but some women continue to struggle with the same symptoms. Because of the changing levels of hormones as the body transitions, these stages of menopause can be diagnosed by your doctor through hormone testing as well as the overall observation of symptoms.
"What Can Acupuncture Do for You?"
While menopause is a natural stage of a woman’s life, it doesn’t mean that you have to suffer through the symptoms during and after the transition. In Chinese medicine, menopausal symptoms can be considered a product of “Kidney Yin Deficiency”. This refers to the theory that in Chinese medicine, the Kidneys are closely tied to your congenital life essence and oversee the metabolic processes within the body. As you age, the Kidneys’ energy begins to weaken which can lead to symptoms such as gray hairs, loss of bone density, or frequent aches and pains in the knees or low back. Yin energy refers to one half of the balancing act within your body between the Yin and Yang. To keep your body in homeostasis, the Yin energy – which is associated with cooling, resting, and keeping your body nourished with fluids – works in tandem with the Yang energy – associated with warming your body and keeping it energetic. When this balance is disrupted due to hormone changes, you begin to experience symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, and dryness due to a deficiency of Yin energy to cool, calm, and moisten your body. Yin deficiency can also contribute to increased irritability, anxiety, or trouble sleeping due to the lack of Yin energy to root and balance the active nature of Yang energy within the body. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help to strengthen your Kidney and Yin energy to rebalance your body and alleviate various symptoms of menopause.
