Menopause: Acupuncture relieves hot flashes

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MunichFor women going through menopause, hot flashes are one of the particularly unpleasant side effects. However, around half of them do not want hormone therapy and place their hopes on alternative medicine. A large meta-study now shows: acupuncture can actually help.

Scientists working with Hsiao-Yean Chiu evaluated the data from twelve different studies. A total of 869 women between 40 and 60 years of age who were going through menopause were examined. The women received various forms of acupuncture treatment for three months: traditional Chinese acupuncture, acupressure, electro acupuncture, laser or ear acupuncture. Some of the study participants served as a control group and received no treatment.

Less often and less strongly

The result: the acupuncture treatment reduced the frequency of hot flashes by a third and the severity of these complaints by almost half (44 percent). It didn't matter what form of acupuncture the women got. The therapy was unable to alleviate other menopausal symptoms such as sleep disorders or mood swings.

The researchers do not yet know the exact mechanism behind the positive effects of acupuncture. However, they suspect that acupuncture affects the release of beta-endorphins in the brain. The concentration of this messenger substance may be reduced by acupuncture, write Chiu and colleagues. Among other things, betaendorphins change the body's thermoregulation. "Our work shows that there is still a lot to learn about acupuncture," said Chiu.

Millennia-old healing method

Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine. It is a healing method that is thousands of years old and is based on the concept of meridians - channels in the body in which the life energy Qi circulates. By placing fine acupuncture needles in the right places, disturbances in the flow of energy can be eliminated. In laser acupuncture, these points are not stimulated with a needle, but with a soft laser; in electro acupuncture, the needles are also connected to a low-voltage electrical device. Acupressure, on the other hand, works solely with the pressure of the fingers, without needles. (away)

Source: Hsiao-Yean Chiu et al .: Effects of acupuncture on menopause-related symptoms and quality of life in women on natural menopause. Menopause, 2014; 1 DOI: 10.1097 / GME.0000000000000260

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