Menopause

Menopause is a natural stage of life, but it often comes with symptoms that can affect your well-being and daily routine. Acupuncture offers a holistic approach to managing menopause-related issues such as hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. At Austin Honeysuckle Acupuncture Clinic, we provide personalized treatments that help balance hormones, reduce symptoms, and promote overall wellness during this transition. Experience relief and improved quality of life with our specialized menopause acupuncture treatments.

When Does Menopause Occur?

Menopause begins when you've gone a full year without a period. At this stage, your ovaries stop releasing eggs, ending your ability to conceive. Menopause can also be triggered by a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries) or damage to the ovaries, such as from chemotherapy. If menopause occurs before age 40, it is considered premature menopause.

Natural menopause occurs in three stages:

• Perimenopause: The transition leading up to menopause, during which hormone levels fluctuate. This causes irregular periods and common symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and fatigue. Perimenopause can last for several years.
• Menopause: Officially begins when you've gone one full year without menstruation.
• Postmenopause: Once you’ve been without a period for a year, you enter postmenopause. At this stage, many menopause symptoms begin to improve.

Common Symptoms During Menopause

Menopause affects everyone differently. Some may experience mild symptoms, while others face more severe disruptions in daily life. Common symptoms during perimenopause and menopause include:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Weight gain
• Vaginal dryness
• Pain during intercourse
• Low libido
• Joint pain

These symptoms are primarily caused by hormonal changes.

How Does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) View Perimenopause?

In TCM, the body’s hormonal cycles are linked to the energy of the Liver and Kidney. The Liver governs blood and supports the smooth flow of the body’s cycles, including menstruation. The Kidneys store "jing" (vital essence), which naturally declines with age. TCM treatments for perimenopause typically focus on nourishing the Kidneys and regulating the Liver.

How Can Acupuncture Help with Menopause?

Acupuncture can relieve many symptoms associated with menopause by inserting fine needles at specific points to restore balance to your body’s energy, or "qi." In addition, Chinese herbs help nourish the Kidneys and soothe the Liver for overall support during this transition.

Although menopause is a natural phase of life, you don’t need to suffer through its symptoms. Embracing healthy aging is key to living well during this transition.

In Austin, Zheng Zeng (FABORM, M.D. China), a certified fertility acupuncturist and fellow of the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine (ABORM), has specialized in Women’s Health since 1994. She offers expert, personalized care for menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, and fatigue. With decades of experience, Dr. Zeng tailors treatments to each patient’s needs, helping them manage the transition with balance and well-being.