Finding Balance: How Acupuncture Eases Menopause and Perimenopause Symptoms

The changes of menopause or perimenopause can throw your body and mood off-balance. It’s a natural stage of life for women, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit by and endure uncomfortable symptoms.

Discover an effective, medication-free way to feel like yourself again at Twin Acupuncture in Staten Island, New York. Kerri Kuhlsen, Lac, cSMA, takes a holistic approach to addressing women’s health with personalized acupuncture treatments.

How does acupuncture offer support during these hormonal shifts? Continue reading to learn why this 3,000-year-old practice could be the key to navigating menopause and perimenopause with greater ease.

Understanding the menopausal transition

Menopause officially arrives when you’ve gone 12 months in a row without a menstrual period. But the transition begins earlier, with perimenopause. 

Perimenopause usually starts about 8-10 years before you stop having a period, though this transitional phase can be shorter or longer for some women. During perimenopause, your hormone levels — mainly estrogen and progesterone — can fluctuate wildly, triggering a range of symptoms.

Ovulation becomes less predictable, and you might notice changes in your menstrual cycle — periods may become irregular, varying in length, flow, or even skipping months entirely. While every woman experiences perimenopause and menopause differently, some common symptoms include:

• Sudden hot flashes during the day; excessive sweating at night
• Insomnia or persistent fatigue
• Vaginal dryness and bladder problems
• Changes in libido
• Joint pain

And the effects aren’t just physical — when hormones are out of balance, women often experience mood changes, such as increased irritability, stress, anxiety, or depression. 

Finding balance with acupuncture

If you’re dealing with challenging symptoms during menopause and perimenopause, acupuncture may not be the first solution that comes to mind. However, this treatment offers powerful support that can be effective on its own or in combination with other methods like hormone replacement therapy.

Instead of simply masking symptoms, acupuncture encourages your body’s internal systems to rebalance and adapt to hormonal changes. Kerri tailors her technique to your needs, stimulating specific points with fine, sterile needles to provide targeted relief. 

Here’s how acupuncture can play a role in easing menopause and perimenopause symptoms:

Regulating body temperature

For women struggling with hot flashes and night sweats, acupuncture may help the body’s natural temperature regulation. Research indicates that this approach can be highly effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of these uncomfortable episodes.

Calming the nervous system

When hormonal changes cause emotional symptoms, such as mood swings or anxiety, acupuncture influences the nervous system to promote relaxation and emotional stability. This calming effect may also extend to improving sleep quality, potentially alleviating insomnia and daytime fatigue.

Boosting energy levels

If you’re constantly feeling tired despite getting enough rest, acupuncture can give you a boost. By supporting your body’s metabolic processes and reducing the energy drain associated with hormonal imbalances, regular treatments help you feel more energized and ready to take on each day.

Enhancing circulation and tissue health

Acupuncture improves circulation, which helps ease pain by reducing inflammation and delivering nourishment to tissues. For concerns like vaginal dryness and atrophy, Kerri focuses on specific acupoints to enhance localized circulation, supporting natural lubrication and tissue health.

Find natural relief with acupuncture

The transition to menopause often comes with challenges, but natural relief for hot flashes, mood swings, and constant exhaustion is available. To explore how acupuncture can make a difference for you, contact Twin Acupuncture to schedule your consultation and find inner balance today.