Acupuncture Treatment for Menopause in Edinburgh
- Anna Vincenti
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
Please note: when an organ is mentioned (Heart, Liver, Kidney etc it is not the actual physical organ. It is the energy within this organ)
What is menopause? How can acupuncture help with menopause in Edinburgh?
Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. It is defined as the cessation of menstruation for 12 consecutive months and is characterised by declining levels of oestrogen and progesterone. This hormonal shift brings about various physical and emotional symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, and insomnia. While menopause is a natural biological process, its symptoms can range from mild to severe, impacting daily life and well-being.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective on Menopause
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), menopause is seen not as a disease but as a natural phase of life that results from a decline in Kidney Essence. According to classical Chinese medical texts, women undergo life changes in seven-year cycles. By the age of 49 (seven cycles of seven years), a woman’s Kidney Essence begins to wane, leading to menopausal symptoms.
TCM attributes these symptoms to imbalances in the body, particularly involving the Kidneys, Liver, and Heart. The decline in Kidney Yin can lead to heat-related symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, and dryness, whereas a deficiency of Kidney Yang may cause cold extremities, fatigue, and low libido. Other common patterns include Liver Yang rising, which can result in headaches and irritability, and Heart Yin deficiency, which is linked to anxiety, insomnia, and palpitations. Additionally, Phlegm accumulation may exacerbate symptoms like brain fog, weight gain, and emotional instability.
Western Medicine Treatments
In Western medicine, menopause is primarily managed through hormone therapy (MHT), which includes oestrogen therapy and combined oestrogen-progesterone therapy. These treatments can be effective for vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. However, they are not suitable for all women, particularly those with a history of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, or blood clotting disorders. While MHT can offer relief, it comes with risks such as an increased likelihood of thromboembolic events, breast cancer, and heart disease.
TCM Treatment
Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body, and research has shown it can effectively reduce vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. A study published in the Journal of Menopause found that acupuncture significantly decreased VMS while improving various aspects of quality of life. Noticeable clinical benefits appeared after just three sessions, with maximum effects achieved after eight treatments. These benefits continued for several months even after the treatments had ended.
Acupuncture treatment is personalised, with points selected based on each patient's unique needs. Specialists conduct a thorough assessment, including pulse palpation and tongue inspection, combining these findings with the patient’s medical history to guide diagnosis and create tailored treatment plans. Acupuncture has been shown to enhance sleep quality, alleviate menopausal symptoms, reduce depressive symptoms and anxiety, lower perceived stress, and improve overall health-related quality of life.
Research on Acupuncture for Menopause
Hsiao-Yean (2015) examined 12 studies with 869 participants to assess acupuncture's effects on hot flashes, menopause-related symptoms, and quality of life in naturally menopausal women. The findings show that acupuncture significantly reduces both the frequency and severity of hot flashes and improves symptoms across psychological, somatic, and urogenital domains. Additionally, acupuncture positively impacts the vasomotor subscale of the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire. The benefits were observed to last for up to three months, suggesting acupuncture may be an effective and sustainable treatment option for managing menopausal symptoms.
Lund et al. (2018) investigated the effectiveness of a standardised, brief acupuncture treatment for women experiencing moderate-to-severe menopausal symptoms. Conducted in nine Danish primary care practices, the randomized controlled trial included 70 participants, with 36 receiving acupuncture and 34 in the control group. The intervention involved five weekly acupuncture sessions targeting predefined points. Results showed a significant reduction in hot flashes, night sweats, emotional symptoms, and sleep disturbances within six weeks, with improvements noticeable as early as three weeks. The findings suggest that acupuncture offers a safe and effective approach to managing menopausal symptoms.
Qin et al. (2020) highlight acupuncture as an effective non-hormonal treatment for menopausal symptoms, particularly for women who cannot undergo menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). It emphasises the growing clinical evidence supporting acupuncture and moxibustion in alleviating climacteric symptoms, particularly in China, where these treatments are widely used.
Zhao (2021) This systematic review analysed 25 randomised controlled trials involving 2,213 women to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture for perimenopausal depression (PMD). The results indicate that acupuncture significantly reduced depression severity, as measured by the Hamilton Depression Scale, with effects persisting for up to 12 weeks. Acupuncture combined with standard care (antidepressants and/or hormone replacement therapy) was found to be more effective than standard care alone. While there were insufficient studies comparing acupuncture to placebo/sham acupuncture or hormone therapy alone, acupuncture also showed benefits in alleviating other menopausal symptoms. These findings suggest that acupuncture could be a valuable complementary treatment for PMD.
Zhang et al. (2025) analysed 28 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating menopausal insomnia. The findings indicate that acupuncture significantly improves sleep quality by reducing Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, increasing total sleep time (TST) and sleep efficiency, and decreasing wake time after sleep onset (WASO). Acupuncture was found to be as effective as standard care (sedative-hypnotics and/or menopausal hormone therapy) and provided additional benefits when combined with standard care. However, the evidence quality ranged from very low to moderate due to methodological inconsistencies and study variability. Overall, the study suggests that acupuncture may be a beneficial treatment option for menopausal insomnia.
Hsiao-Yean (2015) https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/abstract/2015/02000/effects_of_acupuncture_on_menopause_related.18.aspx
Lund (2018) https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/1/e023637
If you're looking for natural and effective menopause treatment in Edinburgh, acupuncture can help relieve symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, and mood changes, book a session today to support your well-being.
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