Are you experiencing restless nights, with sleep interrupted by annoying hot flashes and night sweats?  If you are lucky enough to get sleep, is your daytime interrupted by mood swings, anxiety or mental fogginess?  You may be experiencing the coming of menopause, a time of change and growth for women that can last from one to five years.  And although post menopause can be an amazing feeling of renewal, the years it takes to get there can dampen a woman’s spirit.

What causes this menopausal malaise?  Fluctuating hormone levels that regulate temperature, metabolism and mood are the main culprit.  The levels of estrogen and progesterone are subject to erratic changes during menopause which leads some women to hormone replacement therapy for relief.  Unfortunately HRT can have serious side effects such as an increased risk for breast cancer, stroke and heart attack.  What other alternatives are out there?

Acupuncture offers an effective treatment solution for menopausal symptoms with no serious side effects.  Regular treatments can regulate hormone levels, leaving the patient feeling calmer and sleeping more soundly, with increased energy and improved mood.  Adding a Chinese Herbal formula to your regimen can decrease your annoying symptoms even more.  Your acupuncturist can diagnose your specific pattern and give you a simple formula to take twice a day to keep your symptoms under control.

Balancing your diet can also help with menopausal symptoms.  Switching to a diet based on whole foods is a great first step.  Depending on your symptoms, it may also benefit you to decrease sugar, alcohol and caffeine.  Increasing protein, soy protein and essential fatty acids can also be beneficial.  Your acupuncturist can discuss dietary changes with you and give you a tailored plan for your body type.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine provides an alternative solution for menopausal complaints.  It is not necessary to just suffer through these troublesome symptoms.  The transition through menopause can be comfortable and smooth…try acupuncture today!

Jane Matthews L.Ac has been practicing Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in Breckenridge for the last 8 years.  She can be contacted at 970-470-3347 for any questions about menopausal treatment.