The Journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), recently indicated that acupuncture can affect the intensity and frequency of hot flashes for menopausal women.
Studies including 869 participants provided inconsistent findings on the effects of acupuncture on menopause-related symptoms such as sleep problems, mood disturbances and sexual problems. However, they did conclude that acupuncture impacted both the intensity and frequency of hot flashes.
Recent reviews have indicated that approximately half of women experiencing menopause-associated symptoms use alternative medicine therapy, like acupuncture and hypnosis, for managing menopausal symptoms (Science Daily).
The evidence in this study is so clear that modern day doctors themselves may just start to recommend the treatment for hot flashes.
Executive Director of the North American Menopause Society, Dr. Margery Gass, discusses the NAMS study and how acupuncture might be an effective treatment plan for you.
Margery Gass, MD, is a board certified gynecologist who received her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati. Working in Cleveland Clinic's Center for Specialized Women's Health, she is also the current Executive Director of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and a NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner. She completed her residency training at University Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her special interests include menopause, hormone therapy, female sexual function and osteoporosis.