Peri-menopause and Chinese Medicine

Hormonal milestones; period, if you so choose, pregnancy and menopause. Wait! We missed something here! Perimenopause! Meaning around menopause. This major time in our lives is rarely discussed. We begin moving into perimenopause around age 35 and it can go on for another 15 years or so. It is a time when women start seeking help to balance the symptoms of hormonal changes. It starts off as a gradual shift in our cycles. You may find your PMS has become more difficult to cope with or the regularity of your cycles have changed. As you progress further along in peri-menopause, you may start to have longer or shorter cycles, sleep disturbances, increased mood swings, more weight gain in your abdomen despite increased exercise and changes to diet, brain fog, hair loss and vaginal dryness. Having support during this time can help make the next phase of menopause smoother and less problematic. One thing that largely impacts the hormonal fluctuations and depletion during this time of our lives is STRESS! Chronic stress depletes cortisol levels which further depletes our sex hormones. Lifestyle choices and nutrition also play a big role. It is a time to take a close look at what is not serving you in your life. What do you need to take off your plate? It is time to turn the fight or flight off that may have been kicked into gear for many years.

Acupuncture helps calm the nervous system as well as with a host of other perimenopausal issues, including insomnia, changes to the skin such as acne and dryness, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, hair loss, and breast tenderness. Perimenopause is a natural part of life but it doesn’t have to be miserable! Think of it as an opportunity to forge a deeper connection with your own body and assess what’s really important in life. Acupuncture is a proven, effective treatment to manage the transition to your post-menopausal years and prepare you for your life’s next great adventure.