Perimenopause is the pre-menopause time when the menstrual cycle is coming to an end and the ovaries rebalance their estrogen and progesterone. It can last, on average, up to eight years. Symptoms include changing regularity and duration of the menstrual cycle and other symptoms similar to those experienced during menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, low libido, vaginal dryness, breast tenderness and more. Heightened anxiety too is a seriously debilitating symptom causing unpredictable and alarming mood swings which in turn can disrupt focus and challenge the harmony of relationships.
Doctors can carry out blood tests to determine a diagnosis of perimenopause but it is more common to use age and symptoms as an indicator. It usually begins in women in their mid forties. In less common cases it may begin as early as the late thirties or early forties.
There are a number of natural preventative behaviors women can adopt to tackle these debilitating symptoms such as regulating diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercise regularly, quitting smoking, developing good sleep habits, relaxation, reduction of alcohol and caffeine intake and getting support from other women.
When symptoms are unbearable, alternative natural treatments are gentle and effective such as perimenopause and menopause acupuncture at Midwest Acupuncture Group in Chicago.
Menopausal Case Study
In 2011 a Turkish clinical trial in the Ankara Training and Research Hospital set out to investigate the effect of acupuncture on postmenopausal symptoms and reproductive hormones.
It was a resounding success. Fifty three women participated. Their hormone levels were measured at the start then again at the end of the trial. They were split into two groups. One group was treated with acupuncture, the other with fake acupuncture. Results showed significantly lower levels of hot flashes, lower scores on the MRS (menopause rating scale) and significantly reduced menopausal symptoms in the acupuncture group compared with the sham acupuncture group. The conclusion was “Acupuncture was effective in reducing menopausal complaints when compared to sham acupuncture and can be considered as an alternative therapy in the treatment of menopausal symptoms”.
Acupuncture is safe to use alongside conventional medicines too but be sure to inform your acupuncturist before you commence your course of treatment. Midwest Acupuncture Group has successfully treated women in perimenopause and menopause who were also being treated for cancer and diabetes. Indeed acupuncture can be used to alleviate symptoms from those treatments too.
Perimenopause and menopause are completely natural changes in a woman’s lifetime development. It is reassuring to know respected alternative therapies based on well-established, tried and tested methods can be used to ease the symptoms. Call Midwest Acupuncture Group in Chicago to book an appointment for advice and treatment.