Hot Flashes and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Hot Flashes are one of the well-known symptoms of menopause which occurs in >75% of menopausal women. They reflect a depletion in the hormone estrogen. They are often described as episodic sensations of heat, intense sweating, and flushing affecting the face and chest, which are often accompanied by palpitations and anxiety. Each particular episode lasts 3–10 minutes and episodes can recur with varying frequency. Some women experience hot flashes hourly or daily, whereas for others they may occur occasionally. Similar to the variability in frequency of this symptom, the age at onset of hot flashes also varies from woman to woman. Although most women develop hot flashes during the perimenopausal and early postmenopausal periods, a small number of women develop hot flashes while menstrual cycles remain regular. Furthermore, the majority of women have hot flashes for 1–2 years, but 15% may have persistent hot flashes for up to 30 years!
Although Western Medicine has determined decreased estrogen as the culprit of hot flashes, Eastern Medicine looks at the individual to determine their specific pattern that is causing hot flashes. The depletion of Yin, the cooling system and fluids of the body and Yang, the warming system and energy of the body, both play a role. As these two energy systems begin their gradual decline around age 35. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine offer a safe and natural way to treat these bothersome episodes.
Many of the most commonly used herbs used to treat hot flashes include bai shao, dang gui, zhi mu, chai hu, huang qin, and yin yang huo. These herbs contain phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens, which people sometimes call dietary estrogens, are structurally similar to estrogen. If reduced estrogen plays a part in hot flashes, perhaps phytoestrogens could relieve this symptom.
Of course, in China, these herbs have been used for thousands of years to address patterns such as hot flashes, irritability, low libido, irregular cycles, painful menstruation, etc… It is just in recent times that they have discovered their phytoestrogen component.
Acupuncture addresses the hot flashes as well by supporting the yin and yang. It calms the nervous system which, if in overdrive mode, creates an increase in menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Along with acupuncture and herbal medicine, nutritional modifications are essential. Alcohol, sugar and dairy are all known to increase hot flashes and night sweats.
If you are experiencing hot flashes at any stage of your reproductive journey, Traditional Chinese Medicine is a great approach to squelching that annoying and sometimes debilitating symptom with a great side affect of helping a whole slew of others.