Acupuncture may be one beneficial component of a broader treatment plan for menopause symptoms. Some evidence suggests that acupuncture may help relieve symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood changes.
It’s important to note that much of the research around acupuncture for menopause symptoms is older or only involves a small number of people.
More research is necessary to understand exactly how acupuncture may help menopausal people. If you want to try acupuncture, talk with your doctor first to see if it may be right for you.
Acupuncture is a procedure where a practitioner inserts fine needles into various areas of the body. The practice ties back to traditional Chinese medicine and aims to balance the flow of energy through the body.
People may undergo acupuncture as a treatment for
»Learn more:How acupuncture works
Terminology
You may encounter the term “sham acupuncture” when reading about studies or trials involving acupuncture. Sham acupuncture can involve a variety of techniques like nonpenetrating or shallow needling, as a placebo for real acupuncture.
Researchers use sham acupuncture to evaluate whether real acupuncture provides measurable benefits over the placebo treatment, although there’s still debate over whether the practice is an effective placebo.
Though more research is necessary, some evidence suggests that acupuncture may help relieve certain menopause-related symptoms.
Hot flashes
A small 2019 study involving women experiencing moderate to severe menopausal symptoms found that acupuncture significantly reduced:
- hot flashes
- day and night sweats
- general sweating
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Sleep disturbances
Sleep disturbances during menopause may be related to several factors, including hormone changes and other menopause-related symptoms, such as night sweats. The 2019 study discussed earlier suggests that, in addition to improving hot flashes and sweating, acupuncture may help relieve menopause-related sleep issues.
Mood symptoms
Menopause can also come with a variety of mood changes, such as irritability, anxiety, or depression. Some research suggests that acupuncture, along with other treatments, may help relieve mood symptoms.
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- one group receiving acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatment, which involves using herbs to restore a person’s energy balance and manage symptoms
- one group receiving acupuncture and a placebo instead of Chinese herbal medicine
- one group receiving Chinese herbal medicine treatment and sham acupuncture
The results of the study suggest that acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, or both may relieve mood disorder symptoms. However, the combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine was associated with the most improvement.
More research and larger studies are necessary to understand acupuncture’s possible benefits for menopause symptoms.
»Learn more:How acupuncture helped one person's symptoms
»Explore:How one practitioner honors the legacy of traditional Chinese medicine
»Discover:Herbs and supplements that may relieve menopause symptoms
Acupuncture is typically
Acupuncture may not be a good option if you:
- have an active skin infection
- have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, as some acupuncture techniques use electromagnetic stimulation
Talk with your doctor or a licensed acupuncturist to see if acupuncture is right for you.
The bottom line
There hasn’t been enough research to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of acupuncture. More research is necessary to determine how it may help and who should or shouldn’t use it.
Learn more about natural ways to reduce menopause symptoms.
If you want to try acupuncture, it’s best to find a licensed professional. A few organizations offer searches for licensed practitioners:
Your doctor may also be able to recommend local qualified practitioners.
Insurance plans may cover acupuncture in some circumstances, like if you have chronic pain. However, acupuncture for menopause symptoms may not be covered.
It’s best to contact your insurance company to see whether they will cover acupuncture.
You might also be able to use your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to help pay for acupuncture treatments if:
- the IRS considers the treatments qualified medical expenses, meaning they’re related to the “diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for the purpose of affecting any part or function of the body”
- you receive the treatments from a licensed professional
Contact your HSA or FSA company to determine whether you can use your funds to pay for acupuncture.
Acupuncture may be a nonpharmacological treatment option for menopause symptoms. Some research suggests that it could help relieve vasomotor, sleep, and mood symptoms, although more studies are needed to confirm this.
Acupuncture may not be covered by insurance and may not be right for everyone. If you want to try acupuncture for menopause symptoms, talk with your doctor first.
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