Menopause, the natural state of reduced estrogen and progesterone in females, can bring about many unexpected changes. Many women may experience anxiety , and depression since lowered estrogen has been related to low seratonin, the feel good hormone in the brain. A higher estrogen to progesterone ratio leads to irritability and agitation even though estrogen is decreasing; the progesterone declines much faster, creating the condition called estrogen dominance. The peri menopausal or pre-menopausal phase is marked by fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone that causes the dreaded mood swings that are common at this time.
In the American Journal of Psychiatry in 2003, Dr. A. Kugaya et al. of Yale University investigated the effects of estrogen on the 2A receptors of serotonin in the brains of postmenopausal women to determine whether there was any correlation between receptor changes and cognition or mood. This research about estrogen did show improvement of speech and mental performance based on its interaction with the 2A serotonin receptor of the brain but did not calm the brain or have an effect on mood. So women were sharper mentally, but not happy or satisfied.
Naturally high estrogen levels cause heavy menstruation, breast enlargement and a thicker endometrium in women. The amount of estrogen a woman produces is genetic with Asian women having the lowest levels of naturally occurring estrogen, and consequently a reduced risk of breast cancer! This is an issue in America where birth control, estrogen pills are used to control heavy menstrual flow. High estrogen like this increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and also put one at risk for developing blood clots that may lodge in the lungs, which is a life threatening condition.
Among the less reported are the sensory changes such as electric or tingling sensations in small muscle groups throughout the body. The Swedish study by Drs. B. Hellstrom and U.M. Anderberg indicated that basically women feel more pain during the menstrual phase marked by reduced progesterone, before they get their period, and a reduction of pain when progesterone increases. In fact, pregnancy , a physiological state of heightened estrogen and progesterone is correlated with a reduction in perceived pain.
Acupuncture can help perimenopause and menopause women to feel happier and sleep better because acupuncture can improve the function of ovaries, pituitary gland, adrenal gland. Acupuncture can also improve your digestion so menopause women can absorb nutrients better. These two effects will slow down the declining of estrogen and progesterone during menopause, our body and mind can find way to cope with the gradual changes and restore the new balance. Furthermore, acupuncture help women tone their facial muscles, so menopause will not have muscles drooping and too many facial wrinkles. If menopause have less hot flushes, they can sleep better and be happier and healthier.
Li Zheng is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist and a graduate of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine with 11 years of formal training, including 6 years of residency. She holds a Ph.D. in neuro science from the US and is a Harvard Medical School-trained researcher and a professor at the New England School of Acupuncture. Her two practices are located in Needham, MA and Boca Raton, FL. She has 26 years of clinical experience. Here she is sharing the information about Acupuncture For Menopause .