Menopause Symptoms: How Acupuncture Can Support You
Menopause is often spoken about as a single moment in time, yet the transition from perimenopause to postmenopause can span several years and affect almost every system in the body. The fluctuating and declining levels of oestrogen and progesterone during perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause may bring with them a wide variety of physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. While not everyone will experience all the symptoms, over 60 have been reported in medical literature and patient accounts.
Understanding the breadth of possible symptoms is the first step toward recognising what your body may be going through and seeking supportive care. Acupuncture, as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offers a gentle, non-invasive approach to this natural life stage, supporting both mind and body.
60 Symptoms of Menopause
Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause can be grouped into several categories. While every individual’s journey is different, here are the most commonly reported:
-
Hot flushes
Night sweats
Chills
Flushing of face and neck
Sweating
Cold hands and feet
-
Irregular periods
Periods stopping entirely
Vaginal dryness
Vaginal itching or irritation
Painful intercourse
Vulvovaginal atrophy
Reduced lubrication
Lower libido
Urinary urgency
Frequent urination
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Leaking urine / incontinence
Bladder weakness
-
Insomnia
Difficulty falling asleep
Waking during the night
Fatigue
Restless sleep
Daytime sleepiness
-
Mood swings
Irritability
Anxiety
Low mood or depression
Tearfulness
Reduced tolerance for stress
Brain fog
Difficulty concentrating
Memory lapses
Forgetfulness
Trouble finding words
Confusion
Decreased motivation
-
Joint aches and stiffness
Muscle pain
Back pain
Breast tenderness
Headaches or migraines
Dry or itchy skin
Thinning hair
Hair loss
Loss of skin elasticity
Dry eyes
Facial hair growth
Nail changes
Bloating
Weight gain or redistribution of body fat
-
Dizziness
Tingling or “pins and needles”
Numbness
Changes in taste or smell
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Sensitivity to noise
Burning mouth syndrome
Electric shock sensations
-
Palpitations
Rapid heartbeat
Blood pressure fluctuations
Breathlessness on exertion
Changes in cholesterol profile
-
Indigestion or heartburn
Changes in appetite
Gas and bloating
Constipation or diarrhoea
Fatigue
Lowered immunity
Tooth or gum issues
Dry mouth
Sleep apnoea
Allergies or new sensitivities
(Above symptoms adapted from Cleveland Clinic, 2024; Medical News Today, 2023).
Yin, Yang, and the Menopause Transition
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), menopause is understood as a natural transition in which the body gradually shifts away from its reproductive role. Instead of seeing this stage as something to “get through,” TCM recognises it as an opportunity to rebalance and redirect energy.
One way TCM explains this change is through the relationship between yin and yang. These aren’t mystical ideas — they are practical ways of describing how the body stays in balance.
Yin & Yang in dynamic harmony
Yin represents the body’s cooling, nourishing, and stabilising forces. It is closely linked to blood, body fluids, rest, and recovery. Yin provides the anchor and reserves that keep us steady.
Yang represents warmth, movement, and activity. It drives circulation, metabolism, fertility, and outward expression. Yang keeps things moving and dynamic.
During the reproductive years, yang energy is more prominent: the body is active, fertile, and outwardly focused. As we move into perimenopause, yin naturally begins to decline. With less yin available to balance it, yang can feel more dominant or unsettled.
This is why many of the familiar experiences of perimenopause — such as hot flushes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, restlessness, or dryness — can be understood as signs of heat and activity rising without enough cooling and moisture to balance them.
Seen this way, menopause is not a loss, but a shift in balance. The aim of acupuncture and other TCM approaches is to support the body’s natural ability to rebalance yin and yang, helping this stage feel steadier, calmer, and more comfortable.
| TCM Concept | Function in the Body | Hormonal Parallel | When Out of Balance / Menopause Symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yin | Cooling, nourishing, stabilising; governs blood, body fluids, rest, recovery | Oestrogen & progesterone | Decline → less cooling/nourishing → dryness (vaginal, skin, hair), night sweats, hot flushes, insomnia, fatigue |
| Yang | Warming, activating, outwardly expressive; drives circulation, metabolism, energy | FSH rise, relative adrenal/cortisol activity | Becomes relatively dominant → heat, restlessness, irritability, anxiety, palpitations |
| Balance | Yin anchors yang; yin & yang in dynamic harmony | Hormones fluctuate naturally; balance keeps symptoms minimal | Healthy balance → steady cycles, stable mood, comfortable energy levels |
Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on the body to regulate qi (vital energy) and blood flow, calm the nervous system, and restore balance. Clinical studies suggest acupuncture may reduce vasomotor symptoms, improve sleep, and support mood during perimenopause and menopause (Chiu et al., 2015; Kim et al., 2018).
How Can Acupuncture Help?
Research shows acupuncture may:
Reduce hot flushes and night sweats (Chiu et al., 2015)
Improve sleep quality (Kim et al., 2018)
Support mood and reduce anxiety (Avis et al., 2016)
Enhance quality of life by addressing multiple symptoms at once (Dodson et al., 2019)
Recent research supports acupuncture as an effective, non-invasive option for menopausal symptom relief. A 2019 randomised study in Danish primary care (the ACOM study) found that women receiving a standardised five-week acupuncture protocol experienced significant improvements in hot flushes, night sweats, sleep quality, emotional wellbeing, and physical symptoms compared with controls. Benefits were noticeable as early as three weeks, and no serious adverse effects were reported (Lund et al., 2019).
Unlike pharmaceuticals, acupuncture offers a gentle, non-invasive treatment that works with your body’s natural cycles, rather than overriding them.
How Many Sessions Will You Need?
Every person’s response is different, but many people notice improvements within 6–8 weekly sessions, with maintenance sessions recommended as needed. Acupuncture is safe to combine with other approaches, including lifestyle changes or (if appropriate) hormone replacement therapy.
Key Takeaways
Menopause can involve up to 60 different symptoms, affecting both body and mind.
Acupuncture offers a gentle, non-pharmaceutical option for managing these symptoms.
Treatments are individualised, working with your body’s natural rhythms.
Beyond symptom relief, acupuncture supports the mind-body connection, helping you feel grounded and balanced during a major life transition.
This blog was written to celebrate Menopause Awareness Month. If you’d like to explore how acupuncture can support you then please feel free to book a session at Emma Hart Acupuncture or contact me with any questions - I’m always happy to help.
This blog is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. Always speak with your GP or healthcare provider about what is right for you.
References
Avis, N. E., Coeytaux, R. R., Isom, S., Prevette, K., Morgan, T., Werneke, M., & Hebbar, S. (2016). Acupuncture in menopausal transition: A randomized controlled trial. Menopause, 23(6), 626–637. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000000597
Chiu, H. Y., Pan, C. H., Shyu, Y. K., Han, B. C., Tsai, P. S. (2015). Effects of acupuncture on menopause-related symptoms and quality of life in women in natural menopause: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Menopause, 22(2), 234–244. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000000278
Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Menopause. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21841-menopause
Dodson, P. L., Wang, D., & Jiang, Y. (2019). The efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms in menopause: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Climacteric, 22(6), 567–575. https://doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2019.1639954
Kim, T. H., Kang, J. W., Kim, K. H., Kang, K. W., Shin, M. S., Jung, S. Y., & Lee, M. S. (2018). Acupuncture for treating hot flushes in women with breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 26(3), 883–896. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3934-9
Lund KS, Siersma V, Brodersen J, et al, Efficacy of a standardised acupuncture approach for women with bothersome menopausal symptoms: a pragmatic randomised study in primary care (the ACOM study) BMJ Open 2019;9:e023637. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-02363
Medical News Today. (2023). 34 symptoms of menopause. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-are-the-34-symptoms-of-menopause
