Given the highly individual and often prolonged nature of the menopausal transition, personalised treatments such as acupuncture may offer meaningful benefits. Multiple studies suggest that acupuncture can alleviate several common menopausal symptoms. But how does it work? Acupuncture is believed to neuroregulate key biological processes within the central nervous system, addressing symptoms frequently associated with peri- and post-menopause, including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, osteoporosis, and endocrine imbalances.

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as hot flashes and night sweats, are among the most common complaints experienced by menopausal women. A meta-analysis of clinical trials indicates that acupuncture offers significant relief for those suffering from menopausal VMS. A 2009 review by Alfhaily and Ewies found that most studies reported a 50% reduction in hot flashes, with effects lasting up to six months. These findings were reinforced by a 2015 meta-analysis by Chiu et al., which reviewed 12 studies involving 869 participants. The analysis showed that acupuncture significantly reduced both the frequency and severity of hot flashes. Additionally, it improved psychological, somatic, and urogenital symptoms related to menopause, enhancing overall quality of life.

Insomnia is a common feature of the postmenopausal period, largely due to hormonal changes and the high prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders. A meta-analysis of 12 clinical trials found overall positive effects, suggesting promising outcomes and supporting the need for further comprehensive and controlled research in this area.(2)

Depression and Anxiety – An American study on menopause found that women using acupuncture for menopause-related depression,  84.6% experienced improvement, from a little to a lot. Overall, acupuncture was found to be slightly less effective than conventional treatments using antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications. The concluded that their review demonstrates that acupuncture has a positive and broad effect on perimenopausal depression and insomnia. (3)

Osteoporosis is a common issue in post-menopausal women. Several large-scale reviews indicate that acupuncture could help. Compared with pharmaceutical treatment alone, warm acupuncture increased bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur and lumbar spine. It also increased serum calcium and estradiol levels, reduced serum alkaline phosphatase, and relieved pain. Electroacupuncture also had positive effects on serum calcium, serum alkaline phosphatase, and pain.(4)

Detailed information is available at Evidence Base Acupuncture Organisation.