Treatment for Menopause Syndromes Using Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Dr. Jeffrey (Ji Fei) Wang ,OMD, L.Ac & CH 7810 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. Ste.300 Charlotte, NC 28277 704-968-0351 E-mail: jifei1@hotmail.com www.ballantyneacupuncture.com

What Is Menopause? Menopause is marked by a woman’s last menstrual period. Menopause is a normal part of life. Menopause period varies from 4—8 years even longer . This period begins around age 45—55. Average menopause is at age 49. It is one step in a long, slow process of reproductive aging. Some types of surgery can bring on menopause. For instance, removal of your uterus (hysterectomy) will make your periods stop. When both ovaries are removed (oophorectomy), menopause symptoms may start right away, no matter what your age.

Some Terms Perimenopause (Menopausal transition) It last 2-6 years. It is the time when a woman’s body is closer to menopause. At this time, a woman’s periods may become less regular, and she may start to feel menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Perimenopause usually begins about 2 to 6 years before the last menstrual period. It lasts for about 1 year after your last period. Perimenopausal period: around age 45--55 Menopause is marked by a woman’s last menstrual period. You cannot know for sure what is your last period until you have been period free for 1 full year. Postmenopause follows menopause and lasts the rest of your life. Menopause Syndrome ( Climacteric syndrome) refers to a series clinic signs and symptoms which occurs during perimenopausal period.

The most common symptoms Changes in periods. One of the first signs may be a change in a woman’s periods during the perimenopausal period. Hot flashes. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of your body. Most flashes last between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. It occurs 2-20 times per day. Heavy sweating and cold shivering can follow. Spontaneous or night sweats. Mood changes. Irritability, easy to be angry, hot temper, agitation, crying, anxiety, depression, etc. Sleep problems. Insomnia, dreaming, palpitations. Sex Drive Change. Lower sex drive, dry vagina. That makes sexual intercourse painful. Other signs and symptoms: Pain or weakness of lumber, and knee joints or sour, poor memory, ear ringing, dizziness, vertigo, blurred vision, dry skin, itching skin, skin may get thinner. Or joint and muscle stiffness and pain. With age, waists thicken, muscle mass is lost, fat tissue may increase, Heart disease risk may grow, due to age-related increases in weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. or lower energy, pale face, edema, etc.

Causes & Mechanisms: Imbalance of Yin and Yang caused by: Deficiency of Kidney --- Qi deficiency ---Yin deficiency ---Yang deficiency ---Essence deficiency ( Tian Kui, one kind of congenital essence – may compare to hormones in western medicine) Deficiency of Chong & Ren Channels Disorder functions of Liver, spleen,heart,etc.

Yin and Yang Yang Heat Warm Energy Sun Back Male Bright Activity Go up Dry Acute Yin Cold Moist Nourish Moon Front Female Darkness Rest Go down Wet Chronic

Patterns of Yin and Yang

Commonly seen patterns Yin deficiency Kid.Yin Liv. Yin Heart Yin

Commonly Seen Patterns Qi and Essence Deficiency Kid. Qi deficiency Kid Essence deficiency Spleen Qi deficiency

Treatment Principles Restore and Maintain the balance of Yin & Yang of internal organs (include Qi, Blood, and essence, etc.) For Yin deficiency: Nourish Yin Kidney, Liver, Heart; For Yang deficiency: Warm the Yang Kidney, Spleen; For both Yin & Yang deficiency: Tonify both Yin and Yang

Treatment methods Chinese Herbs/ Formulas Acupuncture Massage Diet/ Food therapy Exercise/Tai Chi/ Yoga/Breath Exercise

Chinese Herbs Formulas Traditional Chinese medicine has a great deal to offer these women. Chinese medical practitioners treat each woman individually, taking into account the whole pattern of each patient’s physical and mental-emotional symptoms. Treatment may include either one or a combination of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, dietary suggestions, and/or specific exercises or lifestyle recommendations

Benefits of Chinese Medicine There are, however, many advantages to the use of Chinese medicine during menopause and for a variety of other women’s health complaints. 1. Chinese medicine is one of the most holistic medical systems available today. 2.Chinese medicine has unique diagnostic and treatment techniques. 3. Chinese medicine focus on restoring and maintaining the balance of whole body, treating both root of disease and manifestations. 4. Chinese medicine’s emphasis is on prevention. 5. Chinese medicine is an effective and long time proven successful treatment for gynecological disorders which is safe & decreased side effects.

Acupuncture Acupuncture is one branch or a part of Chinese Medicine Acupuncturists use needle to stimulate the meridians and points to prevent and treat disease in order to regulate and unblock the person’s energy channels. The needles stimulate the nervous system to release endorphins or other naturally occurring chemicals and hormones that affect mood, health, restore and maintain the balance of whole body.

Acupunture (continued) Qi maintains balance in the body. 16 meridians 360 regular acupoints 40 commonly used extra points Acupoints influence the physiology

How do Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture work? Body has capacity to restore the balance CM and Acupuncture have capacity to harmonize and enhance our capacity for enjoyment, fulfillment and happiness CM & Acupuncture harmonize the balance of whole body, internal organs (Kid.,Liv.,H., Sp.) Yin/Yang; Qi/Blood; Zang/Fu CM & Acupuncture restore and maintain the normal function of Chong and Ren Channels. CM & Acupuncture regulate the function of endocrine, immunity system. CM & Acupuncture calm mind and Spirit.

Commonly use formulas Tian wang bu xin dan’ Formulas: Zuo Gui Yin(Wan) “Restoring the Left Kidney Decoction” (Pills) Tian wang bu xin dan’ Shou Tai Wan”Foetus Longevity Pill” Da Bu Yuang Jian”Great Tonifying the Original Qi Decoction” You Gui Wan(Yin)”Restoring the Right Kidney”(Decoction) Li Zhong Wan”Regulating the Center Pill” Er Xian Tang”Two Immortals Decoction” Er Zhi Wan”Two Solstices Pill” Points: Kid 3, Kid 6, SP 6, Kid 10, LIV 3, UB 23 Head ache – LIV 2, Yin tang Palp. Insomnia- PC 6 & HT 7 Itching – SP 10 or Xue Hai UB 23, Sp 6, Kid 6, Kid 7Ren 4, Ren 6 UB 23, DU 4, Yao Yan, Ren 6, Ren 8 – moxa / ginger Kid 10

What About Hormone Replacement? (HRT) HRT or ERT may relieve menopause-related symptoms, such as hot flashes, and reduce loss of bone. However, HRT has risks. It should not be used for long-term prevention of heart disease.

How about the HRT Until July 2002, hormone therapy had been the standard therapy in the United States for treating menopausal symptoms. But in July 2002, the Women's Health Initiative — a large clinical trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health — reported that hormone therapy actually posed more health risks than benefits for most women. Doctors discontinued routine prescriptions for this popular treatment. For women taking the combination estrogen-progestin used in the study (Prempro), researchers found an increased risk of: Heart disease Breast cancer Stroke Blood clots Dementia