Clinical Information For the Treatment Of Menopause (Hot Flashes)
What Is Menopause (Hot Flashes)?
Menopause (Hot Flashes) - Basics
Menopause is a transitional period in which the female body experiences hormonal changes that affect the menstrual cycle, along with other things. On average, women begin to have symptoms of menopause in their late 40s to early 50s. They include: hot flashes, trouble sleeping, altered regularity and flow of menstrual period, vaginal dryness and mood changes. Menopause is considered to be over after going a full year without a menstrual period.
Below you will find alternative and natural treatment options including those from a Chinese Medicine perspective for Menopause.
What Patterns Are Related To Menopause (Hot Flashes)?
Menopause (Hot Flashes) - Diagnostic Patterns
The Chinese Medicine treatment of menopause (hot flashes) generally involves arriving at the appropriate TCM diagnosis or pattern. This pattern within the individual is what treatment is based on not the general condition (see treating the cause and not the symptoms).
The following patterns may represent the underlying contributing factors for the development of menopause (hot flashes):
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Which Acupuncture Point Protocols May Be Applied For Menopause (Hot Flashes)?
Menopause (Hot Flashes) - Acupuncture Protocols
The treatment of conditions with acupuncture can be a complicated endeavor that should only be undertaken by individuals with a deep understanding of the underlying Chinese Medicine theory (and/or whatever system being used for treatment). There are many approaches, but generally speaking few viable approaches are involved on a point to condition basis. Rather using proper diagnostic procedures the patients diagnostic pattern is ascertained and that is what is treated. The protocols listed here exemplify some of these clinical approaches.
The following acupuncture treatment protocols may be used with menopause (hot flashes):
Which Tam Healing and Tongren Therapy Protocols Apply To Menopause (Hot Flashes)?
Menopause (Hot Flashes) - Tam Healing and Tongren Therapy Protocols
Tong Ren Therapy is the energy healing/medical qi gong aspect of the Tam Healing System. The areas of focus for menopause (hot flashes) that we would use in Tong Ren techniques form the basis for our acupuncture treatments as well. Generally you would mix these primary points with points specific to the patients underlying TCM pattern and then our tuina (medical massage) would be largely focused on these points as well.
The following Tam healing and tong ren therapy protocols may be used with menopause (hot flashes):
Formulas and Products @ Our Store Associated With Menopause (Hot Flashes)
The Following (6)Formulas TCM Herbal Formulas May Be Useful For Menopause (Hot Flashes)
Er Xian Wan (Two Immortal Decoction)
Clinical Usages
- Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang deficiencies with Empty Heat - hormonal issues such as menopause (possibly w/hypertension), amenorrhea, hot flashes along with associated symptoms of fatigue, depression, insomnia, nervousness and more.
- Infertility with appropriate underlying factors, particularly when arising with amenorrhea or irregular menstruation.
- Aplastic anemia.
Clinical Categorization
Gan Mai Da Zao Wan (Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Formula)
Clinical Usages
- Anxiety/depression/manic issues with a tendency towards losing self-control (crying fits, excessive yawning, etc.) that result from the combination of heart yin deficiency and liver qi stagnation.
- Insomnia, possibly with vivid dreaming and heart palpitations.
- Post-partum depression and milder symptoms of menopause.
Clinical Categorization
Geng Nian An Wan (Peaceful Menopause)
Clinical Usages
- Menopause symtpoms including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, restlessness and anxiety as a result of yin deficiency.
- Can be used for other yin deficient symtpoms such as tinnitus, dry skin, and lightheadedness.
Clinical Categorization
Cautions
- Use with caution during pregnancy.
- Do not use if patient presents with true heat or exterior heat.
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia)
Clinical Usages
- Dizziness, tinnitus, possibly vertigo as a result of kidney and liver yin deficiency.
- Insomnia especially with night sweats, hot flashes, irritability.
- Spontaneous/nocturnal emissions.
- Menopause related symptoms including cardiovascular issues, bone health, etc. when arising from yin deficiency.
Clinical Categorization
Cautions
- Use with caution in patients that present with spleen qi deficiency.
Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang Wan (Clear Summer Heat and Augment the Qi)
Clinical Usages
- Please note that there are two formulas with the same name but slightly different compositions. One is from Wang's Wen Re Jing Wei and tonifies the yin more strongly, the other (which is the one discussed here) is from Li's Pi Wei Lun (Discussion of the Spleen and Stomach) and tonifies the spleen more strongly. Both have similar usages but are not directly interchangeable.
- Clears summerheat and dries dampness - summer colds and flus, heatstroke - fever, fatigue, excessive sweating with loose stools and heaviness in the body.
- Along with respiratory infections in the right cases certain types of asthma may be appropriate for this formula.
- Dampheat related inflammatory condtions such as Colitis are approprirate with the right underlying factors.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with symptoms of spleen deficiency and heat.
- Wtih the right underlying factors the range of perimenopausal symptoms may be appropriate - low libido, fatigue, water retention, fibroids, heavy cycles. Where this appear with spleen qi deficiency signs and kidney weakness, this formula may be appropriate.
Clinical Categorization
Suan Zao Ren Wan (Sour Jujube Decoction)
Clinical Usages
- Shen related issues when arising from liver blood deficiency - anxiety, insomnia.
- Menopausal heat contributing to sleep and/or anxiety issues.
- Palpitations, night sweats, and general dryness.
Clinical Categorization
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