Menopause and Hormones: How Acupuncture Helps Balance the Transition
Menopause and Hormones: How Acupuncture Helps Balance the Transition
Natural Support for Hot Flashes, Mood Changes, Sleep Issues & More in Victoria, BC
Menopause is a natural life transition, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. For many women, menopause brings a wave of symptoms—hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, sleep issues, and more—all of which are linked to shifting hormone levels.
At Remedy Wellness Centre in Victoria, we offer acupuncture as a safe, natural, and research-supported way to help the body navigate these hormonal changes with greater ease.
The Cascade of Hormone Changes in Menopause
Menopause typically begins between ages 45 and 55 and is defined as the point when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. But the hormonal transition begins much earlier in a phase known as perimenopause, which can last for several years.
Here’s a simplified look at what happens hormonally:
1. Estrogen and Progesterone Decline
As ovarian function gradually decreases, the production of estrogen and progesterone becomes irregular and then steadily declines. These two hormones regulate the menstrual cycle and also play important roles in mood, sleep, brain function, and bone health.
2. FSH and LH Rise
The brain responds to low estrogen by increasing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in an attempt to stimulate the ovaries. This hormonal surge contributes to hot flashes and night sweats.
3. Testosterone and Other Hormones Shift
While testosterone also declines gradually with age, an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone may lead to symptoms such as irritability, decreased libido, and weight changes.
4. Cortisol and Stress Hormones
The adrenal glands take over some hormonal functions post-menopause. Chronic stress can tax these glands, leading to elevated cortisol levels that worsen fatigue, sleep issues, anxiety, and hormonal imbalance.
Common Menopausal Symptoms Linked to Hormonal Imbalance:
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Hot flashes and night sweats
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Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
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Vaginal dryness and low libido
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Sleep disturbances and fatigue
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Brain fog or poor concentration
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Weight gain and bloating
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Joint pain or stiffness
These symptoms vary greatly from person to person—and that’s where individualized care like acupuncture makes a real difference.
How Acupuncture Helps with Menopause
Acupuncture is a key part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and works by restoring balance in the body’s energy system (Qi), regulating internal organ function, and supporting the nervous and endocrine systems.
Here’s how it supports menopause symptom relief:
🔄 1. Regulates Hormonal Feedback Loops
Acupuncture can help modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (HPO axis)—a critical hormonal system involved in regulating estrogen and progesterone production. By calming this feedback loop, acupuncture helps reduce hot flashes, mood swings, and irregular cycles.
🧠 2. Calms the Nervous System
By stimulating points that activate the parasympathetic nervous system, acupuncture can reduce cortisol levels and help manage stress and anxiety—both of which are amplified by hormonal fluctuations.
🌙 3. Improves Sleep Quality
Acupuncture supports deeper, more restorative sleep by regulating melatonin and calming overactive stress hormones. This can reduce insomnia, night sweats, and sleep interruptions during menopause.
💧 4. Increases Circulation and Moisture
Points that stimulate kidney and liver meridians help improve blood flow and fluid balance, which can relieve vaginal dryness, joint pain, and skin irritation.
💡 5. Enhances Mood and Mental Clarity
By influencing neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, acupuncture helps alleviate mood swings, brain fog, and emotional volatility that often accompany menopause.
What the Research Says
✅ A 2023 systematic review published in BMJ Open concluded that acupuncture significantly reduces the frequency and severity of hot flashes and improves quality of life in menopausal women.
✅ A study in Menopause (2016) found that acupuncture reduced symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep problems, and mood swings after just 5 weeks of treatment.
✅ The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism notes that acupuncture may influence estrogen levels and help balance the HPO axis, especially during perimenopause.
What to Expect from Acupuncture for Menopause at Remedy Wellness Centre
When you book an appointment with one of our licensed acupuncturists, your care will begin with an in-depth intake session to assess your symptoms, health history, and goals. From there, you’ll receive a personalized treatment plan, which may include:
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Acupuncture
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Cupping or acupressure
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Dietary and lifestyle advice
Sessions are gentle, relaxing, and tailored to your comfort level. Most people begin to see improvements within 3–6 sessions, though longer care may be needed for chronic symptoms.
Ready to Feel Balanced Again?
Menopause doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right support, your body can transition more smoothly—naturally and holistically.