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Menopause
MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MENOPAUSE
40 million American women are over 50 years old, and 20 million more will reach menopause within the next decade. About 20
percent of women use hormone replacement (HRT) at some point during the menopause years. Yet a recent report, the International Position Paper on Women's Health and Menopause, states that HRT may not be
as useful as once thought. HRT may in fact increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. And other medications probably work better than HRT to prevent osteoporosis.
Medical Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine can be useful in treating many of the symptoms and conditions
associated with menopause. Traditional Chinese medical texts describe hormonal changes that occur in women at intervals of approximately seven years. After the 2nd 7 year cycle, menstruation begins and the woman becomes fertile. After 7th 7 year cycle (age 49) the "Sea of Blood" becomes empty and the menses cease. In Chinese medicine theory Blood-Uterus-Kidney are closely related. Treatment is therefore especially directed at nourishing the Kidney.
Symptoms that may be addressed include: Hypertension, elevated serum cholesterol, hot flashes, insomnia, depression and
fatigue. Treatment may be safely given in combination with Western medical care.
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