Acupuncture: Managing Anxiety During Perimenopause and Menopause

Acupuncture is a natural approach to dealing with the menopause that many women can benefit from.

Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms

Perimenopause and menopause are natural transitions in a woman’s life which may last for many years. However, just because they’re natural doesn’t mean they are without challenges and for some women their lives and careers can be severely affected by menopause-related problems. It’s estimated that 3 in 4 women will experience difficult symptoms as they go through their perimenopause years and although hot flushes and night sweats are quite common, research shows that for many women it is new onset anxiety which catches them completely off-guard and has the most impact on their everyday life.

There is a huge spectrum of anxiety-related symptoms for many women at this time and these can range from having a racing heart, dizziness and insomnia to not feeling confident enough to drive or socialise. It’s important to know that these symptoms are very common in perimenopause and are caused by the huge swings in female hormones which then affect the balance of brain chemistry and our nervous system.

The good news is that acupuncture, which has been used in China for over 2000 years, is a wonderful natural therapy for managing perimenopausal anxiety effectively. In this article I’ve tried to answer some of the questions people ask me in clinic.

How can acupuncture support me with my anxiety?

Firstly, acupuncture has been shown to regulate our nervous system, shifting it from a heightened state of ‘fight or flight’ to the relaxed state known as ‘rest and relaxation’. Acupuncture has been shown in studies to reduce the production of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline which can make you feel anxious and panicky, and as these hormones decrease you begin to feel a sense of deep peace and calm. Acupuncture also stimulates the release of your own endorphins, which are our body’s natural pain-relieving and mood-boosting chemicals. Recent scientific research has found that our own naturally produced endorphins are up to 33 times more potent than morphine when it comes to alleviating pain and lifting your mood.

Furthermore, acupuncture is known to regulate neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in mood regulation and overall well-being and when there are imbalances in serotonin levels (caused by rapidly changing levels of oestrogen) this contributes to feelings of anxiety and depression.

Acupuncture can also address the physical symptoms that exacerbate anxiety and stress during perimenopause and menopause. If you are not sleeping properly all your other symptoms will feel worse, so focusing on improving sleep is always a key part of your treatment plan. Through acupuncture I can also work to address your hot flushes and joint pain which also helps to reduce levels of anxiety and worry.

To read more about the current evidence about acupuncture and anxiety please visit: https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/acupuncture-anxiety/

Can I have acupuncture when I am on HRT?

Yes absolutely, lots of the women I see at our clinic in Hertford are on HRT but may still be experiencing symptoms and they find that acupuncture helps them manage those symptoms while bringing their anxiety levels down to a manageable level.

I’ve had acupuncture (dry needling) before at a physiotherapist/chiropractor/osteopath. Is this the same?

The only similarity in our treatments is the use of needles. A physio/ chiro/ osteo will have completed a short course in acupuncture alongside their own specialist area and will be treating only your muscles. Traditional acupuncture, which we study to degree level, can work on a much deeper level and will support all your internal systems to treat the root cause and bring balance to your physical and emotional wellbeing.

What can I expect from my treatments?

We start with a full and detailed consultation, including taking the pulse and looking at your tongue so that I can get a complete picture of your health and make a diagnosis. The needles we use are incredibly fine and many people can’t feel them at all and begin to relax straight away, in fact most of my patients fall asleep during their treatment.

After I’ve seen you for the first time I’ll advise you on your treatment plan and I will always advise you on how to implement lifestyle changes which may involve nutrition, stress-reduction, exercise, and mindfulness techniques so that you get the best from your course of acupuncture treatments.

How do I find a reputable Traditional Acupuncturist near me?

The best way to find a fully licensed and qualified traditional acupuncturist is to visit the British Acupuncturist Council Website (BAcC) https://acupuncture.org.uk/find-an-acupuncturist/ which is the largest professional body for acupuncturists in the UK. All its members belong to the Professional Standards Authority and we must complete ongoing CPD every year to maintain our membership.

When you’ve found an acupuncturist I would recommend you contact them for a short consultation before booking in – all good acupuncturists should offer this free of charge so you can decide whether you would like to work with them. I would also recommend reading their reviews and visiting their website to see if you think you are a good fit to work together - establishing a collaborative relationship is always important.

How to get in touch with Kerry?

You can contact Kerry on 07442 268 799 for a free 15-minute no-obligation chat to discuss how she may be able to help you. You can also email Kerry and Jody from the Acupuncture page of our website.