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Menopause – How can I help you?

Menopause – A Natural Transition That Can Be Balanced

Every woman eventually reaches menopause—the stage when menstruation and fertility come to an end. The average age is between 48-55, though it can occur earlier or later.
Menopause is a natural life stage, but around 75% of women will experience symptoms of varying intensity, including: hot flashes and night sweats, insomnia, mood changes (anxiety and depression), migraines, weight gain and changes in blood lipids, hair loss, vaginal dryness, reduced libido, and in the long term – osteoporosis and urinary incontinence. Symptoms vary between women and can last for years.

Hot Flashes – The Most Common Symptom

Hot flashes are the best-known symptom, affecting 3 out of 4 women during menopause. Around 30% describe them as significantly impacting quality of life. The cause: declining estrogen levels alter the brain’s “thermostat” (the hypothalamus), which activates heat-loss mechanisms such as blood vessel dilation and sweating.

Sleep Disturbances and Mood Changes

Between one-third and one-half of women experience sleep problems, and up to 60% suffer from depression or anxiety. Reduced levels of melatonin (the sleep hormone) cause earlier sleep onset, early-morning awakening, and difficulty returning to sleep. Serotonin, the “happiness hormone,” produced mainly in the gut, is the precursor to melatonin, so the two are closely linked.
Conventional treatment may include natural therapies (see below), or medications such as sleeping pills, melatonin, antidepressants (mainly SSRIs), and in some cases, hormone replacement therapy.

Why Do Women Gain Weight During Menopause?

Many women experience weight gain during menopause—particularly abdominal obesity. The main reason is the decline in estrogen, which slows metabolism, raises insulin levels, and disrupts hunger and satiety hormones (ghrelin and leptin).
The result: fewer calories burned at rest, delayed satiety, and a higher risk of abdominal fat accumulation. These changes also increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and heart disease.
Menopause in Chinese Medicine
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), menopause reflects a natural decline in Yin, expressed as a deficiency in estrogen and body fluids. This creates a relative excess of Yang, leading to heat, dryness, restlessness, night sweats, and insomnia.  
The severity of symptoms also depends on lifestyle factors. Chronic stress, overwork, multiple childbirths, poor diet, and insufficient sleep deplete the body’s vital essence (Jing), making menopausal symptoms more intense.

How Can I Help You Treat Menopause Naturally?

Many women prefer to avoid hormone replacement therapy, or cannot use it due to risk factors. Chinese Medicine offers an effective and safe alternative through a comprehensive, individualized approach:

  • Acupuncture – Studies show acupuncture reduces hot flash frequency and intensity by 37%, improves sleep, lowers anxiety, and enhances daily functioning. These benefits were seen even in women with a history of breast cancer, with no side effects. Another study comparing acupuncture with the antidepressant Escitalopram (Cipralex) in 221 menopausal women with depression found that acupuncture was equally effective—also in the long term.

  • Chinese herbal medicine – Personalized formulas that nourish Yin and restore balance.

  • Medicinal mushrooms – Reishi – Widely studied for its ability to support hormonal balance, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and strengthen the immune system. Combined with herbs, Reishi helps address menopausal symptoms at their root.

  • Dietary changes – Nutrition is essential to support Yin and prevent imbalances from worsening. Foods rich in phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogen-like compounds) such as soy, legumes, flaxseed, sesame, oats, berries, and sprouts have been shown to reduce hot flashes and other symptoms. Western herbs such as black cohosh, red clover, and sage—often consumed as teas—also contribute to long-term balance.

In Summary, Menopause is a natural transition—but it doesn’t have to mean suffering. With the right combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, medicinal mushrooms like Reishi, and dietary adjustments, you can significantly reduce symptoms, maintain a healthy weight, improve sleep, and restore balance and vitality.

I am here to support you through this stage—naturally and safely.

Research bibliography:

  1. Cong Fu et al. (2017) Sleep 40 (11) DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsx153

  2. Sheng Li et al. (2018) BioMed Research International DOI: 10.1155/2018/5351210

  3. Avis N. et al. (2016) Menopause 23 (6): 626-37 DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000597

  4. Mao JJ et al (2015) J Clin Oncol 33 DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2015.60.9412

  5. Bingcong Z. et al. (2019) J Psych Res 114: 24-33 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.04.005

  6. McGarry K. et al. (2018) Clinical Therap 40 (10): 1778-86 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2018.08.010

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