New perimenopause acupuncture research study validates dramatic benefits, concluding that acupuncture is both safe and effective for the treatment of perimenopause.
The Study
Researchers at Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine and Henan University of Chinese Medicine investigated the effects of acupuncture on perimenopausal syndrome as it affects a woman’s metabolism, reproductive endocrinology, and immune system. Clinical and laboratory findings revealed dramatic biochemical benefits brought on by acupuncture.
What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the stage in a woman’s life when she starts producing less estrogen from her ovaries.
It typically occurs in her 40s, but can begin as early as her 30s. Perimenopause typically lasts four years, but can linger longer before a woman’s menstrual cycle ends completely.
Symptoms of perimenopause include hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, increased PMS, irregular menstrual cycles, insomnia, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, mood swings, anxiety, and breast tenderness. Conventional Western medical treatment includes hormone replacement therapy, antidepressants, and vaginal lubricants.
What’s Happening To Your Body
During perimenopause there is a reduction of serum estradiol that leads to changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPOA) axis. Citing several investigations in their meta-analysis, the researchers established that acupuncture regulates the HPOA and levels of serum estradiol, as well as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). In addition, they document the clinical success of acupuncture for the treatment of hot flashes.
The Research
This research study meta-analysis (survey of many clinical trials) covered a large body of research. Jin et al. compared acupuncture with Premarin oral intake. Premarin is a brand name for conjugated estrogens. The acupuncture group received treatment of Back-Shu acupoints. The acupuncture group demonstrated superior patient outcomes over the group taking oral conjugated estrogens.
Shang et al. documented that Yuan-Primary and Back-Shu acupoints were effective for the regulation of estradiol, FSH and LH in perimenopausal women. Qin et al. concluded that electroacupuncture applied to acupoint SP6 (Sanyinjiao) effectively modulated reproductive endocrine system functions in perimenopausal women.
Li et al. measured significant beneficial increases of estradiol levels in perimenopausal women after the application of either of the following two acupuncture point prescriptions. Prescription 1 included the acupoints Guanyuan (CV4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). Prescription 2 utilized Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36).
Laboratory Research
Human clinical trials were augmented by laboratory research. Chen et al. conducted an experiment entitled “Effects of electroacupuncture on the expression of estrogen receptor protein and mRNA in rat brain.” Electroacupuncture increased estradiol levels while downregulating other factors. This normalized “the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.”
The work of Yao et al. confirmed that electroacupuncture increases estradiol levels and expression of prolactin-releasing peptides in the medulla oblongata. The researchers cited several other studies demonstrating that acupuncture increases estradiol levels by transforming androgen into estrogen and by “promoting aromatase activity and mRNA expression in adipose and liver tissues.”
Perimenopause Acupuncture Research Conclusions
The researchers concluded that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of perimenopause “by improving clinical symptoms such as menstrual disorders, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, depression and anxiety.”
In addition, they found that acupuncture increased estrogen levels, decreased levels of FSH and LH, increased estrogen receptor protein expression, inhibited GnRH, and transformed androgen into estrogen.
Furthermore, acupuncture boosted the immune system by increasing E-selectin and L-selectin, as well as regulating immune cell estrogen receptor expression.
Additional Research – Perimenopause and Insomnia
Related research by Tan et al. concluded that acupuncture, in combination with Chinese herbal medicine, relieved insomnia associated with perimenopause. Patients in the study received the herbal formula Zi Shen Tiao Gan Tang in addition to acupuncture. Acupuncture achieved a total effective rate of 74.60% while the combined therapy achieved a 96.83% total effective rate.
Next Steps
At Raleigh Acupuncture we treat perimenopause with great success. This perimenopause acupuncture research confirms what we have seen in our clinic – acupuncture works for perimenopause!
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References
Li, Rui-li, Jin-ying Fu, Ying-ying Deng, Wen-juan Shen, Hong-li Ma, Wei Li, and Xiao-ke Wu. “Review of acupuncture treatment for perimenopausal syndrome.” Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2, no. 13 (2015): 129-133.
If you have questions about this perimenopause acupuncture research, feel free to call us. More research is being published each year confirming the benefits of acupuncture to treat a host of health conditions.