A new study has shown some surprising and promising results for women suffering from hot flushes and related symptoms.
The study, carried out in America, has shown that Acupuncture works just as well as a drug commonly used to combat hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms that can accompany breast cancer treatment, and its benefits last longer without bad side-effects.
The researchers tested acupuncture, which began in China more than 2,000 years ago and involves inserting needles into the body. This was tested against the antidepressant Effexor, which is commonly used for hot flushes in breast cancer patients.
According to researchers led by Dr. Eleanor Walker of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, acupuncture was just as effective as the drug, also called venlafaxine in managing symptoms including hot flushes and night sweats.
Forty-seven breast cancer patients took part in the study, about half getting acupuncture and half getting Effexor. The women kept track of the number and severity of hot flashes before, during and after the 12 weeks of treatment.
Following 12 weeks of treatment, symptoms were reduced for 15 additional weeks for women who had undergone acupuncture, compared with two weeks for those who had taken Effexor, Walker said.
“It was a more durable effect,” Walker said, whose findings were then presented at an American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.
There were no bad side effects with acupuncture, and women reported increased energy, overall sense of well-being and sexual desire, the researchers said.
Those taking Effexor reported side effects including nausea, headache, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, increased blood pressure, fatigue and anxiety.
The Spinal Centre comment:
This study adds to a rapidly increasing body of evidence proving the value of acupuncture.
Earlier research carried out on cancer patients has shown that acupuncture can reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and post-operative pain.
Breast cancer patients can develop menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats after treatment with chemotherapy and anti-estrogen hormones. Hormone replacement therapy is often used to treat these symptoms in women without cancer, however HRT cannot be used in cancer patients as it may raise the risk of the cancer returning.
Acupuncture offers a relatively pain-free, safe and natural approach to tackling these menopause-like symptoms WITHOUT any side-effects, unlike Effexor.
Some of the commonly reported side-effects of Effexor include:
- Nausea
- Headaches and migraines
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting
- Anxiety
- Infections
- High blood pressure
And that’s just the side-effects with a high rate of incidence.
Acupuncture is based on the belief that there are approximately 2000 acupuncture points throughout the body. These trigger points are linked to one another through a group of 20 different meridians (pathways).
Meridians are responsible for conducting Qi (energy) between the surface of the body and the internal organs. Qi has a specific affect on each point it passes through. When Qi properly flows throughout the meridians and all its points, it maintains a healthy balance in the mind and body.
During an acupuncture treatment for menopause, an acupuncture therapist will help the woman bring balance back to the body by focusing treatment on the trigger points related to her symptoms. Only some trigger points are used, and will vary depending on the symptoms.
I would suggest that for woman suffering from symptoms of menopause, whether it be as a side-effect from chemotherapy or otherwise that they try acupuncture first, before trying to find the answer through drugs.
There is also natural medicine options that can help you overcome symptoms.
Eagle Pharmaceuticals Femi-Nan is a natural alternative to HRT that will assist in balancing the endocrine system and its related hormones, alleviating the symptoms and giving support when hormonal balance may be required.
Femi-Nan contains the herbs Black cohosh, red clover, wild yam and dong quai, which have all shown positive benefits for balancing estrogen levels.
Femi-Nan is specifically designed to reduce the symptoms of menopause such as hot flushes, anxiety and fatigue, and will help ensure optimum functioning and harmony of the hormonal system.
