Menopause

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Menopause is a natural part of life, due to changes in your hormones as you age. Women going through menopause can experience a wide range of uncomfortable and frustrating symptoms, including:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Headaches and migraines
• Palpitations
• Lower back, neck and/or knee pain

Menopause officially begins when you have not had your period for 12 consecutive months. But, some of the symptoms of menopause can begin sooner.

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is a precursor to menopause, when your body’s hormone levels begin to fluctuate in preparation for menopause. Perimenopause typically lasts approximately four years. Indications of perimenopause include:

• Hot flashes
• Fatigue
• Increased premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• insomnia
• Vaginal dryness
• Decreased libido
• Mood swings, depression, or anxiety
• Breast tenderness

Can acupuncture relieve menopause/perimenopause symptoms?

Studies have proven that acupuncture is an effective treatment for menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms. It can reduce the frequency and severity of many menopause-related symptoms. In addition to controlling pain, acupuncture treatment may increase blood flow and improve your energy level.

Acupuncture works alone and in conjunction with other medical treatments, you may be used to reduce symptoms. Evia Medical Center’s integrative approach means your primary care doctor will coordinate treatment with the team of professional, licensed acupuncturists to make sure you receive the best possible care.

What other treatments exist for menopause or perimenopause?

In addition to acupuncture, Evia Medical Center’s team of doctors offer a range of conventional prescription treatments to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. These include:

• Hormone replacement therapy
• Antidepressants
• Vaginal lubricants

In addition, nutritional supplements are also helpful in treating some menopause symptoms.

Your doctor will determine which option(s) are best for you after a thorough medical evaluation.

No two women experience the same perimenopause or menopause symptoms. Evia Medical Center treats each patient as an individual and looks at the full range of possible treatment options available to create a personalized plan.

To find out more about how the team of doctors and acupuncturists at Evia Medical Center work with you to create a customized treatment plan for menopause and perimenopause symptoms, call to schedule an appointment today.