2026 International Journal of Women's Health
An eight-herb formula for menopausal symptoms may act across hormone, inflammation, metabolism, and cell-survival pathways rather than through a single target.
Acupuncture for Menopausal Syndrome & Hot Flushes
The majority of women will enter menopause in their early 50s and may experience menopause symptoms for 4-5 years on average.
The most prominent symptom of menopause is hot flushes, which affect around 75% of menopausal women. Other menopausal syndrome symptoms include night sweats, emotional vulnerability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, cognitive changes, joint pain, vaginal dryness and loss of sexual desire.
Experiencing strong menopause symptoms can greatly affect a woman's quality of life, relationships, work productivity and her use of health services.
What is our clinical experience?
Based on feedback collected from over 562 initial appointments for Menopause Symptoms, 85% of our surveyed patients reported improved quality of life after their first 5 appointments. See our detailed benchmarking statistics.
InitialConsults
562
AverageAppointments
5
ImprovedQuality of Life
85%
Refer Family &Friends
94%
Who have we treated with this condition?
The age groups and genders we see most frequently with this condition. Note: this chart only represents the people who seek treatment at Ping Ming Health clinics for this condition.
- Female (100%)
- Male (0%)
| Age | Female % | Male % |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 0.15 | 0 |
| 29 | 0.15 | 0 |
| 34 | 0.15 | 0 |
| 35 | 0.61 | 0 |
| 36 | 0.31 | 0 |
| 37 | 0.15 | 0 |
| 39 | 0.31 | 0 |
| 40 | 0.31 | 0 |
| 41 | 0.31 | 0 |
| 42 | 0.46 | 0 |
| 43 | 0.61 | 0 |
| 44 | 0.92 | 0 |
| 45 | 0.77 | 0 |
| 46 | 1.38 | 0 |
| 47 | 2.3 | 0 |
| 48 | 1.53 | 0 |
| 49 | 2.14 | 0 |
| 50 | 3.06 | 0 |
| 51 | 3.06 | 0 |
| 52 | 3.68 | 0 |
| 53 | 3.83 | 0 |
| 54 | 6.13 | 0 |
| 55 | 6.28 | 0 |
| 56 | 6.58 | 0 |
| 57 | 5.97 | 0 |
| 58 | 5.05 | 0 |
| 59 | 6.58 | 0 |
| 60 | 5.97 | 0 |
| 61 | 5.97 | 0 |
| 62 | 4.75 | 0 |
| 63 | 4.29 | 0 |
| 64 | 3.06 | 0 |
| 65 | 2.14 | 0 |
| 66 | 2.14 | 0 |
| 67 | 2.76 | 0 |
| 68 | 0.92 | 0 |
| 69 | 1.99 | 0 |
| 70 | 0.31 | 0 |
| 71 | 1.07 | 0 |
| 72 | 0.31 | 0 |
| 73 | 0.31 | 0 |
| 74 | 0.31 | 0 |
| 75 | 0.46 | 0 |
| 77 | 0.31 | 0 |
How many sessions of treatment?
The average number of appointments that patients attend for this condition. Some conditions respond quickly while others may require ongoing treatment.
Which types of treatments?
The types of treatments that are most frequently provided for this condition. Some treatments may be used in combination at the same time.
What does the research say?
The following insights are obtained from systematic reviews and analysis of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for menopausal syndrome & hot flushes.
2026 Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Zhichi Suanzaoren Decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine, alleviates insomnia and anxiety by restoring hippocampal astrocyte cilia through Foxj1 upregulation.
2025 Frontiers in Neurology
An herbal medicine improved cognition and menopausal symptoms as effectively as hormone therapy, while causing fewer adverse events in early-menopausal women with mild cognitive impairment.
2025 Frontiers in Oncology
Acupuncture may ease the severity of breast cancer-related hot flash symptoms, but it does not appear to reduce how often hot flashes occur.
2025 Frontiers in Pharmacology
Traditional Chinese medicine, specifically Jiawei Suanzaoren Tang, demonstrates a significant therapeutic effect on people with perimenopausal insomnia characterized by yin deficiency and fire excess.
2025 Integrative Cancer Therapies
Chinese herbal medicine potentially reduces chemotherapy-related hot flashes and improves life quality in breast cancer patients, with no severe side effects noted.
2024 Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde
Oral micronized progesterone showed a modest dose-related reduction in menopausal hot flushes without an apparent increase in adverse effects.
2024 Medicine
Chaihu Shugan San, a traditional Chinese medicine, provides significant relief of physical and psychological symptoms associated with perimenopausal syndrome.
2023 Molecular Neurobiology
The traditional Chinese herbal formula, Chaihu Shugan San, can potentially improve perimenopausal depression by altering brain functional network connectivity and hippocampus energy metabolism.
2023 Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Changes in gut microbiome associated with a low-fat, vegan diet and cooked soybeans may reduce the frequency and severity of postmenopausal hot flashes.
2023 Frontiers in Public Health
Acupuncture can improve both perimenopausal depression and insomnia with short-medium term effects while being a safe treatment.
2022 Neurochemical Research
The study suggests that a brain-liver communication mechanism, involving the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, may hold significance in perimenopausal depression.
2022 Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
Paeoniflorin, a paeony root component, promotes glucose absorption by boosting estradiol secretion from fat cells, potentially preventing type 2 diabetes in menopausal women.
2022 The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
A daily intake of 50 grams of prunes can maintain hip bone density in postmenopausal women, potentially reducing hip fracture risks.
2022 Medicine
High prevalence of insomnia, anxiety, and depression among perimenopausal women, emphasizing the importance of exploring acupuncture as a potential green therapy for effectively addressing these interconnected issues.
2021 Nature and Science of Sleep
Acupuncture may simultaneously ease perimenopausal depression and insomnia by influencing hormonal and neuroendocrine regulation with few adverse effects.
2021 The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
A combined treatment of soy and hop extract is a safe and effective alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy for improving postmenopausal symptoms.
2021 Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Lavandula angustifolia essential oil inhalation seemed to enhance overall sleep patterns, quality, and efficiency in postmenopausal women with insomnia.
2021 European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
Phytoestrogens, used in various forms, have shown improvement in urogenital menopause symptoms and improved women's sexual function, promoting overall quality of life.
2021 Journal of Menopausal Medicine
Alkaline drinking water significantly improves spine bone density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, more than standard treatment alone.
2021 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture improves perimenopausal sleep quality and symptoms, potentially a safe alternative or adjunct to hypnotic drugs, requiring further research validation.
2021 Acupuncture in Medicine
Acupuncture's potential in reducing menopausal hot flush frequency compared to sham acupuncture, and its similarity in impacting hormone levels to hormone therapy.
2021 Frontiers in Oncology
Current evidence suggests that acupuncture might improve breast cancer treatment-related symptoms measured with patient-reported outcomes including quality of life, pain, fatigue, hot flashes, sleep disturbance and anxiety.
2021 Frontiers in Psychiatry
Acupuncture alone or combined with standard care was associated with significant improvements in perimenopausal depression and reductions of other menopausal symptoms.
2020 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Du Huo Ji Sheng Decoction monotherapy or combined with antiosteoporosis drugs may have beneficial effects for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
2020 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The use of acupuncture in the management of perimenopausal depression is safe, effective, and offers long-lasting benefits relative to antidepressants and HRT.
2019 Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Stinging nettle reduced menopausal hot flashes and improved quality of life as effectively as acupuncture, while combining both treatments offered no added benefit.
2019 Biomedicines
Guizhi Fuling Wan, a traditional herbal formula, can improve peripheral blood flow in menopausal hot flush sufferers, despite not changing the frequency or severity of the flushes.
2019 Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine
CAM interventions, including mind-body practices and hypnosis, offer promise for alleviating menopausal symptoms, while herbal products lack consistent support.
2019 Climacteric
Acupuncture significantly alleviated breast cancer treatment-related menopause symptoms for at least 3 months, but not hot flushes.
2018 Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
Chaihu Shugan San, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, can treat perimenopausal depression by activating the brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling pathway and promoting neurogenesis.
2018 Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Combining Gua Sha therapy with Western medicine appears to offer significant improvements in perimenopausal symptom management.
2018 The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Evidence supports the use of acupuncture for menopause symptoms as an adjunctive or stand-alone treatment for reducing vasomotor symptoms and improving health-related quality of life outcomes.
2018 Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics
The use of acupuncture as an adjunct to ameliorate hot flashes is still a relatively sound treatment for breast cancer patients.
2017 Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research
Acupressure wristbands combined with usual care reduced several early menopausal symptoms, offering a non-hormonal supportive option for women unable to use hormone therapy.
2017 Maturitas
Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have various health benefits for postmenopausal women including reducing triglycerides and improving depression and psychotic symptoms.
2017 Complementary Medicine Research
Both the total score and the subgroup analysis strongly indicated that acupuncture can alleviate menopause-related symptoms.
2017 PLOS One
Acupuncture is non-inferior to hormone therapy or other applied relaxation therapies in alleviating the symptoms of menopause for its safety, non-invasive and especially considering the side effect of hormone therapy.
2016 Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics
Acupuncture appears to be a potentially effective treatment for reducing hot flashes in women diagnosed with breast cancer.
2016 Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem
The study's analysis of 272 articles comparing Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (TCA) and Sham Acupuncture (SA) for managing hot flashes in menopausal breast cancer patients indicates that while 3 studies leaned towards TCA's effectiveness, 2 showed both interventions to be beneficial.
2016 Cancer Nursing
Acupuncture may be used as a complementary therapy for breast cancer survivors experiencing hot flashes and other menopause-related symptoms.
2016 Obstetrics & Gynecology
Acupuncture is associated with a significant reduction in sleep disturbances in women experiencing menopause-related sleep disturbances.
2016 Obstetrics & Gynecology
Acupuncture is associated with a significant reduction in sleep disturbances in women experiencing menopause-related sleep disturbances.
2015 Menopause
Acupuncture improves hot flash frequency and severity, menopause-related symptoms, and quality of life (in the vasomotor domain) in women experiencing natural menopause.
2015 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture can be safely applied as an alternative, adjuvant treatment in clinical practice to treat sleep disorders in postmenopausal women.
2013 Planta Medica
Hop extract, particularly its component 8-Prenylnaringenin (8-PN), demonstrates potential in alleviating symptoms common in menopause such as osteoporosis, vasomotoric disturbances, and sexual motivation.
2013 European Journal of Integrative Medicine
The evidence suggested that traditional acupuncture can improve hot flashes in menopausal women and could be a potential treatment for menopausal women.
2013 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
When acupuncture was compared with no treatment, there appeared to be a benefit from acupuncture, but acupuncture appeared to be less effective than hormone therapy.
2011 Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies
Gui-zhi-fu-ling-wan, a traditional Chinese medicine, can effectively alleviate hot flashes in young patients in a safe manner.
2009 Acupuncture in Medicine
Individualised acupuncture improved menopausal hot flushes and quality of life, but traditional Chinese medicine diagnoses and point selection did not predict benefit.
2005 The American Journal of Chinese Medicine
Gui-zhi-fu-ling-wan, a herbal therapy, depicts to be a viable alternative to hormone replacement therapy for treating hot flashes in post-menopausal women experiencing coldness in lower extremities.
Seek personalised healthcare and advice
Although well-conducted clinical research can help members of the public to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare, we cannot claim that any particular treatment may be effective for any individual person.
When you consult with our Chinese medicine practitioners, you’ll receive personalised advice and treatment based on your symptoms and Chinese medicine diagnosis.
Research papers
Browse our collection of scientific clinical research on acupuncture for menopausal syndrome & hot flushes.
It includes recent and reputable papers published by peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years.
2026, Aug
Integrated Strategy Combining Real-World Data Mining, Network Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking to Decipher the Mechanism of Action of a Core Herbal Combination for Menopausal Syndrome
International Journal of Women's Health
Professor Zhang Xiaodan's herbal therapy for menopausal syndrome emphasizes nourishing yin and blood, clearing heat, and regulating qi, and its core formula likely acts through multiple targets and signaling pathways involving estrogen receptor 1 and tumor protein p53.
Zhang E, Xu Y, Chen P, Li J, Zhang X Full Article
2026, Jan
Zhichi Suanzaoren Decoction alleviates perimenopausal insomnia via restoring astrocytic primary cilia and modulating Wnt/GSK-3β/GR signaling axis
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
ZSD significantly improved sleep and reduced anxiety, increased hippocampal GABA levels, decreased serum stress hormone levels, protected hippocampal neurons, and reduced neuroinflammation through the inhibition of Wnt signaling by promoting Foxj1 expression.
Zhang Z, Liu Y, Zhao B, Fu H, Wang J, Zhang MJ, Zhang Y, Hu L, Zhang X Full Article
2025, Sept 12
Hekun decoction versus Femoston for women with amnestic mild cognitive impairment in early menopause: a randomized, three-arm, double-blind clinical trial
Frontiers in Neurology
Hekun Decoction demonstrated non-inferior efficacy to Femoston in improving cognitive function over 24 weeks in women with amnestic mild cognitive impairment during early menopause, with a favorable safety profile and fewer adverse events than Femoston.
Zhai Z, Lin G, Chen S, Liu H, Yuan R, Gao X, Ni X, Shen M, Fan H, Wang W, Zhao Y, Wu Y, Gu C, Cong C, Xiao S, Zhang Y, Zhao J, Xu J, Wang Y, Chen J, Chen Y, Zong Y, Tang Q, Li S, Zhang Z, Xu L Full Article
2025, Mar 17
How effective is acupuncture in treating hot flashes in breast cancer patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Frontiers in Oncology
Acupuncture treatment for hot flashes in patients with breast cancer shows potential for improving hot flash symptom scores but does not reduce hot flash frequency, and the evidence remains insufficient because of risk of bias and substantial differences between studies.
Zhang G, Gao C, Guo Z, Zhao W, Xu X, Wen H, Li Y, Lin R, Xu N, Cui S Full Article
2025, Jan 29
Jiawei Suanzaoren decoction for the treatment of perimenopausal insomnia: clinical observation and experimental study
Frontiers in Pharmacology
Jiawei Suanzaoren Tang showed significant clinical therapeutic effects on perimenopausal yin deficiency and fire excess type insomnia, with improvements in sleep condition and hormone levels. Mechanistically, it may regulate neuroactive ligand receptor interactions to improve sleep and affect hormone levels and receptor expression in the hypothalamus.
Chen LQ, Zhou YC, Ning F, Zhu MJ Full Article
2025, Jan
Efficacy of Chinese Herbal Medicine in Managing Hot Flushes in Breast Cancer Patients on Adjuvant Chemotherapy: A Clinical Investigation
Integrative Cancer Therapies
Chin CY, Wu SC, Wang HY, Liu CT, Huang YC, Tsai MY Full Article
2024, Oct
Effects of Progesterone on Vasomotor Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women (PROGEST) – a Prospective Multi-Center Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial (RDPCT)
Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde
The study showed a slight dose-dependent improvement in vasomotor symptoms with oral micronized progesterone, while the frequency of adverse events did not increase with progesterone dose.
Beinert SV, Kleinsorge F, Worm J, Tropschuh KV, Seifert-Klauss V Full Article
2024, Dec 27
Research progress on Chaihu Shugan San in treating perimenopausal syndrome: A review
Medicine
Chaihu Shugan San (CSS) has been confirmed to have a significant effect on the treatment of PMS based on numerous clinical experiments and pharmacological studies, providing potential guidance for clinical application and future research.
Zhang X, Luo L, Wang C, Lv W, Duan Y, Kong L Full Article
2023, Sept 26
Effects of Chaihu Shugan San on Brain Functional Network Connectivity in the Hippocampus of a Perimenopausal Depression Rat Model
Molecular Neurobiology
A brain functional network connectivity mechanism may be involved in perimenopausal depression, with the hippocampal tricarboxylic acid cycle playing a vital role, and Chaihu Shugan San may improve depression-related behavioral, neurotransmitter, connectivity, and metabolic abnormalities.
Huang R, Gong M, Tan X, Shen J, Wu Y, Cai X, Wang S, Min L, Gong L, Liang W Full Article
2023, Dec
A dietary intervention for postmenopausal hot flashes: A potential role of gut microbiome. An exploratory analysis
Complementary Therapies in Medicine
The study concluded that there were potential associations between changes in vasomotor symptoms and changes in the gut microbiome in response to a diet change.
Kahleova H, Holtz DN, Strom N, La Reau A, Kolipaka S, Schmidt N, Hata E, Znayenko-Miller T, Holubkov R, Barnard ND Full Article
2023, Feb 06
Acupuncture for comorbid depression and insomnia in perimenopause: A feasibility patient-assessor-blinded, randomized, and sham-controlled clinical trial
Frontiers in Public Health
Acupuncture is safe and can contribute to clinically relevant improvements in comorbid PMD and PMI, with satisfactory short-and medium-term effects. Whether the anti-depressive benefit of acupuncture is specific or non-specific remains to be determined. No evidence was found for any longer-term benefit of acupuncture compared to sham at 16 weeks. Further research is required to elucidate mechanisms underlying the short to medium term effects of acupuncture.
Zhao FY, Zheng Z, Fu QQ, Conduit R, Xu H, Wang HR, Huang YL, Jiang T, Zhang WJ, Kennedy GA Full Article
2022, Feb 21
Exploration of a Brain-Liver-Communication-Related Mechanism Involved in the Experimental Perimenopausal Depression Rat Model using Chaihu-Shugan-San
Neurochemical Research
The study suggests that a brain-liver-communication-related mechanism may be involved in perimenopausal depression and that the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway plays a vital role in the effects of Chaihu-Shugan-San.
Chen Q, Li C, Tao E, Asakawa T, Zhang Y Full Article
2022, Dec
Paeoniflorin, a constituent of Kami-shoyo-san, suppresses blood glucose levels in postmenopausal diabetic mice by promoting the secretion of estradiol from adipocytes
Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
Kobayashi K, Tang YT, Sasaki K Full Article
2022, Oct
Prunes preserve hip bone mineral density in a 12-month randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women: the Prune Study
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition American Society for Nutrition
A daily dose of 50g of prunes can prevent the loss of total hip BMD in postmenopausal women after 6 months, which persisted for 12 months, indicating a valuable nonpharmacologic treatment strategy to preserve hip BMD and possibly reduce hip fracture risk.
De Souza MJ, Strock NCA, Williams NI, Lee H, Koltun KJ, Rogers C, Ferruzzi MG, Nakatsu CH, Weaver C Full Article
2022, Jan 14
Can acupuncture improve sleep quality and anxiety among women during perimenopause?
Medicine
This study will provide new evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, and depression in perimenopausal women, and provide additional options for clinicians and patients to improve insomnia and anxiety.
Ping Y, Liang C, Fan X, Zhang L, Ying D, Wang Z Full Article
2021, Oct
Acupuncture: A Promising Approach for Comorbid Depression and Insomnia in Perimenopause
Nature and Science of Sleep
Acupuncture is a promising therapeutic strategy for comorbid depression and insomnia during perimenopause, with neuroendocrine modulation likely playing a major role in its effects.
Zhao FY, Fu QQ, Spencer SJ, Kennedy GA, Conduit R, Zhang WJ, Zheng Z Full Article
2021, Nov 01
Efficacy and Safety of a Standardized Soy and Hop Extract on Menopausal Symptoms: A 12-Week, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Society for Acupuncture Research
The study concludes that 190 mg of combined soy and hop extract is safe and effective for improving menopausal symptoms.
Kim HI, Kim MK, Lee I, Yun J, Kim EH, Seo SK Full Article
2021, Jun
Lavender essential oil on postmenopausal women with insomnia: Double-blind randomized trial
Complementary Therapies in Medicine
The study found that although there were no significant differences between the groups, participants who inhaled Lavandula angustifolia essential oil showed improved overall sleep pattern, quality, and sleep efficiency, as well as decreased sleep onset latency, depression levels, hot flashes, and postmenopausal symptoms.
dos Reis Lucena L, dos Santos-Junior JG, Tufik S, Hachul H Full Article
2021, Jun
Impact of phytoestrogens on treatment of urogenital menopause symptoms: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
Phytoestrogens in various forms have been shown to improve menopausal urogenital symptoms, including urogenital atrophy, urinary disorders, and sexual function.
Abdi F, Rahnemaei FA, Roozbeh N, Pakzad R Full Article
2021, Jan
Effect of Alkaline Drinking Water on Bone Density of Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis
Journal of Menopausal Medicine
Drinking alkaline water improves spine T-scores in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and can be used to treat osteoporosis due to increased bone density in this population.
Fasihi S, Fazelian S, Farahbod F, Moradi F, Dehghan M Full Article
2021, Apr 26
Comparative Utility of Acupuncture and Western Medication in the Management of Perimenopausal Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
A low to moderate level of evidence supports that acupuncture could be a safe alternative to or adjuvant to hypnotic drugs in improving sleep quality and quantity and other menopause-related symptoms among women with perimenopausal insomnia (PMI). This finding suggests that acupuncture may be a useful addition to treatment for PMI.
Zhao, F.-Y., Fu, Q.-Q., Kennedy, G. A., Conduit, R., Wu, W.-Z., Zhang, W.-J., & Zheng, Z. Full Article
2021, Dec 13
Effect of acupuncture on menopausal hot flushes and serum hormone levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Acupuncture in Medicine British Medical Acupuncture Society
Acupuncture may not decrease hot flush frequency, but yet appears to have similar effects on serum hormone levels as HT, that is, increased E2 and decreased FSH and LH. Considering that no firm conclusions could be drawn due to the low quality and limited number of included trials included, further high-quality RCTs need to be conducted.
Liu C, Wang Z, Guo T, Zhuang L, Gao X Full Article
2021, Jun 10
Acupuncture for Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes
Frontiers in Oncology
Current evidence suggests that acupuncture might improve BC treatment-related symptoms measured with PROs including QoL, pain, fatigue, hot flashes, sleep disturbance and anxiety. However, a number of included studies report limited amounts of certain subgroup settings, thus more rigorous, well-designed and larger RCTs are needed to confirm our results.
Zhang Y, Sun Y, Li D, Liu X, Fang C, Yang C, Luo T, Lu H, Li H, Zhang H, Liang Q, Wu J, Huang L, Xu R, Ren L, Chen Q Full Article
2021, May 28
Acupuncture as an Independent or Adjuvant Management to Standard Care for Perimenopausal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Frontiers in Psychiatry
This article highlighted acupuncture alone or combined with standard care was effective in reducing depression in pre-menopausal symptoms.
Zhao FY, Fu QQ, Kennedy GA, Conduit R, Zhang WJ, Zheng Z Full Article
2020, Sept 15
Efficacy and Safety of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The pooled estimate suggested that Duhuo Jisheng Decoction (DHJSD) combined with conventional medical therapies has a certain clinical curative effect on postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Li J, Wang W, Feng G, Du J, Kang S, Li Z, Zhu W, Shang H Full Article
2020, Jan 20
Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture for Perimenopausal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
This study indicated that acupuncture has more stable long-term effects than antidepressants and hormone replacement therapy. Patients also showcased to have less negative side effects of antidepressants .
Xiao X, Zhang J, Jin Y, Wang Y, Zhang Q Full Article
2019, Jun
Urtica dioica in comparison with placebo and acupuncture: A new possibility for menopausal hot flashes: A randomized clinical trial
Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Urtica dioica decreased menopausal hot flashes and increased quality of life more than placebo-sham control but similarly to acupuncture, while combining Urtica dioica with acupuncture did not add to the effects of either therapy.
Kargozar R, Salari R, Jarahi L, Yousefi M, Pourhoseini SA, Sahebkar-Khorasani M, Azizi H Full Article
2019, Aug 18
A Classic Herbal Formula Guizhi Fuling Wan for Menopausal Hot Flushes: From Experimental Findings to Clinical Applications
Biomedicines
169 compounds were identified from GFW pills, tablets, and capsules. Therapeutic effects, including frequency and severity of MHFs, peripheral blood flow, hormones, neurotransmitter, and cytokines, were not consistent across different study types. ESR2 with genetic variation, CGRP receptor, and IL-8 were identified to be related to the mechanisms of actions of GFW on MHFs. The differences in therapeutic effects could be potentially due to dose variations among clinical and experimental studies and ESR2 gene differences in rats and homo species.
Li , Hung , Li , Yang Full Article
2019, Jan 01
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Menopause
Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine
CAM interventions for menopause, including mind-body practices, herbal products, and other whole system alternative medicine approaches are commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms.
Johnson A, Roberts L, Elkins G Full Article
2019, Oct 15
The maintenance effect of acupuncture on breast cancer-related menopause symptoms: a systematic review
Climacteric International Menopause Society
Acupuncture significantly alleviated menopause symptoms for at least 3 months, but not hot flushes. Breast cancer patients concerned about the adverse effects of hormone therapy could consider acupuncture as an alternative. Additional acupuncture at 3 months after the initial treatment course could be considered. A large-scale study may help to define the optimal guideline for this issue.
Chien TJ, Liu CY, Fang CJ, Kuo CY Full Article
2018, Sept
The antidepressant-like effects of Chaihu Shugan San: Dependent on the hippocampal BDNF-TrkB-ERK/Akt signaling activation in perimenopausal depression-like rats
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
The present results demonstrate that activation of the hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tropomyosin receptor kinase B-extracellular signal-regulated kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway and hippocampal neurogenesis are required for the antidepressant-like effects of Chaihu Shugan San on the depressive-like state during perimenopause.
Chen XQ, Li CF, Chen SJ, Liang WN, Wang M, Wang SS, Dong SQ, Yi LT, Li CD Full Article
2018, May
Effects of Gua Sha therapy on perimenopausal syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Preliminary evidence supported the hypothesis that Gua Sha therapy effectively improved the treatment efficacy in patients with perimenopausal syndrome. Additional studies will be required to elucidate optimal frequency and dosage of Gua Sha.
Qing Ren, Xinyu Yu, Fujiu Liao, Xiaofan Chen, Dongmei Yan, Heyun Nie, Jinju Fang, Meng Yang, Xu Zhou Full Article
2018, Jan 3
Management of Menopause Symptoms with Acupuncture: An Umbrella Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Society for Acupuncture Research
Evidence from RCTs supports the use of acupuncture as an adjunctive or stand-alone treatment for reducing VMSs and improving HRQOL outcomes, with the caveat that observed clinical benefit associated with acupuncture may be due, in part, or in whole to nonspecific effects. The safety of acupuncture in the treatment of VMSs has not been rigorously examined, but there is no clear signal for a significant potential for harm.
Befus D, Coeytaux RR, Goldstein KM, McDuffie JR, Shepherd-Banigan M, Goode AP, Kosinski A, Van Noord MG, Adam SS, Masilamani V, Nagi A, Williams JW Jr. Full Article
2018, Sept 24
Acupuncture for the relief of hot flashes in breast cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies
Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics Association of Radiation Oncologists of India
Acupuncture still appeared to be an efficacious therapeutic strategy, especially for the less/no side effects.
Wang XP, Zhang DJ, Wei XD, Wang JP, Zhang DZ. Full Article
2017, May
Effect of Acupressure on Early Complications of Menopause in Women Referring to Selected Health Care Centers
Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research
Acupressure along with conventional menopausal care reduced the number and severity of hot flashes, the number of night sweats, and state-trait anxiety severity, and was presented as a complementary medicine method for improving early menopausal complications.
Armand M, Ozgoli G, Giti RH, Majd HA Full Article
2017, Sept
Recommendations of the Spanish Menopause Society on the consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by postmenopausal women
Maturitas European Menopause and Andropause Society
The study concluded that LCO3-PUFAs have various beneficial effects in postmenopausal women, including a decrease in triglycerides, antiarrhythmic effects, reduction in blood pressure, improvement in depressive and psychotic symptoms, and no increased risk of cancer.
Sánchez-Borrego R, von Schacky C, Osorio MJA, Llaneza P, Pinto X, Losa F, Navarro MC, Lubián D, Mendoza N Full Article
2017, Oct 12
Acupuncture May Improve Quality of Life in Menopausal Women: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Complementary Medicine Research
Both the total score and the subgroup analysis strongly indicated that acupuncture can alleviate menopause-related symptoms. However, the evidence is not very strong. Thus, further studies about the efficiency of acupuncture on menopausal symptoms based on well-designed trials are needed.
Li W, Luo Y, Fu W, Lei R. Full Article
2017, Aug 22
Effect of acupuncture on hot flush and menopause symptoms in breast cancer- A systematic review and meta-analysis
PLOS One Public Library of Science
Acupuncture significantly alleviated menopause symptoms, but had no effect on hot flush. Breast cancer patients concerned about the adverse effects of hormone therapy should consider acupuncture. Further large-scale studies that also measure biomarkers or cytokines may help to elucidate the mechanism by which acupuncture alleviates menopause symptoms in patients with breast cancer.
Chien TJ, Hsu CH, Liu CY, Fang CJ. Full Article
2016, Jul 25
Acupuncture for hot flashes in women with breast cancer: A systematic review
Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics Association of Radiation Oncologists of India
Acupuncture seems to be an effective therapy for HFs in women with BC; however, there was insufficient evidence to support the efficacy of acupuncture. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously, because of the poor quality and small number of included studies.
Chen YP, Liu T, Peng YY, Wang YP, Chen H, Fan YF, Zhang L Full Article
2016, Aug 15
Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture versus Sham Acupuncture: a Systematic Review
Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem University of Sao Paulo at Ribeirao Preto College of Nursing
The evidence gathered was not sufficient to affirm the effectiveness of traditional acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture.
Carlos, Luís et al. Full Article
2016, May
Effects of Acupuncture on Menopause-Related Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors
Cancer Nursing
Acupuncture yielded small-size effects on reducing hot-flash frequency and the severity of menopause-related symptoms.
Chiu, Hsiao-Yean; Shyu, Yuh-Kae; Chang, Pi-Chen, Tsai, Pei-Shan Full Article
2016, Mar
Acupuncture to Reduce Sleep Disturbances in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Obstetrics & Gynecology American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
The study highlighted the importance of acupuncture in balancing out sleep patterns and sex hormone levels in women experiencing menopause-related sleep disturbances
Chiu, Hsiao-Yean RN, PhD; Hsieh, Yu-Jung RN, MSN; Tsai, Pei-Shan RN Full Article
2016, Mar
Acupuncture to Reduce Sleep Disturbances in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
Obstetrics & Gynecology American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Acupuncture is associated with a significant reduction in sleep disturbances in women experiencing menopause-related sleep disturbances. Our findings suggest that acupuncture should be adopted as part of a multimodal approach for improving sleep disturbances in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Chiu HY, Hsieh YJ, Tsai PS. Full Article
2015, Feb
Effects of acupuncture on menopause-related symptoms and quality of life in women in natural menopause: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Menopause The North American Menopause Society
This meta-analysis confirms that acupuncture improves hot flash frequency and severity, menopause-related symptoms, and quality of life (in the vasomotor domain) in women experiencing natural menopause.
Chiu HY, Pan CH, Shyu YK, Han BC, Tsai PS. Full Article
2015, Aug 23
Acupuncture to Treat Sleep Disorders in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
A high heterogeneity was observed among these articles, which prevented us from performing a meta-analysis. Selected articles did not present high risk of bias and had a satisfactory compliance rate with STRICTA guidelines. In general, these studies presented improvements in sleep-related variables.
Bezerra AG, Pires GN, Andersen ML, Tufik S, Hachul H. Full Article
2013, Mar 19
Hop Extracts and Hop Substances in Treatment of Menopausal Complaints
Planta Medica
Hop extract and 8-PN are promising candidates for relieving climacteric symptoms, but more data on safety and efficacy is needed.
Keiler A, Zierau O, Kretzschmar G Full Article
2013, Jul 30
Traditional acupuncture for menopausal hot flashes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
European Journal of Integrative Medicine
The evidence suggested that traditional acupuncture can improve hot flashes in menopausal women and could be a potential treatment for menopausal women.
Dodin S, Blanchet C, Marc I, Ernst E, Wu T, Vaillancourt C, Paquette J, Maunsell E. Full Article
2013, Jul
Acupuncture for menopausal hot flushes
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Cochrane
We found insufficient evidence to determine whether acupuncture is effective for controlling menopausal vasomotor symptoms. When we compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture, there was no evidence of a significant difference in their effect on menopausal vasomotor symptoms. When we compared acupuncture with no treatment there appeared to be a benefit from acupuncture, but acupuncture appeared to be less effective than HT. These findings should be treated with great caution as the evidence was low or very low quality and the studies comparing acupuncture versus no treatment or HT were not controlled with sham acupuncture or placebo HT. Data on adverse effects were lacking.
Dodin S, Blanchet C, Marc I, Ernst E, Wu T, Vaillancourt C, et al. Full Article
2011, Jun
Effect of Gui-zhi-fu-ling-wan on Hot Flashes in Young Patients: A Retrospective Case Series
Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Medical Association of Pharmacopuncture Institute
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan herbal decoction shows promising results in improving hot flashes in young patients with a relatively low percentage of reported adverse events, suggesting a potential alternative to hormone replacement therapy.
Cho KH, Kim YS, Jung WS, Kim TH Full Article
2009, Sept
The Acupuncture Treatment for Postmenopausal Hot Flushes (Acuflash) Study: Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnoses and Acupuncture Points Used, and Their Relation to the Treatment Response
Acupuncture in Medicine British Medical Acupuncture Society
Factors other than traditional Chinese medicine syndrome diagnoses and acupuncture point selection may be important in determining treatment outcomes, and no serious adverse events were reported.
Borud EK, Alræk T, White A, Grimsgaard S Full Article
2005, Jan
Comparing the Effects of Estrogen and an Herbal Medicine on Peripheral Blood Flow in Post-menopausal Women with Hot Flashes: Hormone Replacement Therapy and Gui-Zhi-Fu-Ling-Wan, a Kampo Medicine
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine
Post-menopausal women with hot flashes had significantly higher blood flow under the jaw compared to those without hot flashes, with herbal therapy increasing blood flow in the lower extremities whereas HRT decreased it, suggesting that herbal therapy may be more effective in treating certain menopausal symptoms.
Ushiroyama T, Ikeda A, Sakuma K, Ueki M Full Article
It is by virtue of the twelve channels that human life exists, that disease arises, that human beings can be treated and illness cured. The twelve channels are where beginners start and masters end.