Many people in Hervey Bay seek acupuncture as part of their overall support during the menopausal transition.
Menopause marks the natural end of menstrual cycles and often brings symptoms such as hot flushes, sleep changes, mood shifts and temperature dysregulation.
experience vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats during menopause.
Source: Australasian Menopause Society, 2023
report that menopause symptoms affect their daily activities, sleep, or emotional wellbeing.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2020
in financial costs were linked to chronic pain in 2018.
though symptoms may begin several years earlier during the perimenopausal transition.
Source: Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, 2022
Menopause is a natural life stage marked by the end of menstrual cycles. Many people experience changes such as hot flushes, disrupted sleep, mood variations, and shifts in energy. While every person’s journey is different, supportive care can help people navigate this transition with more ease.
Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop releasing eggs and menstrual periods cease for 12 consecutive months. Perimenopause is the lead-up phase, where hormonal levels fluctuate and symptoms may come and go. This transition can last several years and may include both physical and emotional changes.
Common symptoms include:
Menopause usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. Many Australians report symptoms that affect their sleep, relationships, and work life. Around four out of five people experience hot flushes, and a third say menopause influences their quality of life in noticeable ways.
Menopause can affect sleep, focus, comfort, and emotional balance. Hot flushes and night sweats may interrupt rest. Mood changes can influence work or relationships. Some people notice reduced confidence or motivation due to ongoing physical symptoms. Supportive care can help people feel more settled as their body adjusts.
Medical treatment may include hormone therapy, non-hormonal medications, lifestyle guidance and screening for related changes such as bone density shifts. Many people combine medical care with supportive approaches like acupuncture, exercise programs, nutrition planning and stress management.
People often seek acupuncture for menopause-related concerns such as heat sensations, sleep disturbance, irritability, and tension. Acupuncture is commonly used to support overall balance, calm the nervous system and encourage more settled sleep.
Some people also explore Chinese medicine or herbal medicine as part of their broader care, depending on their presentation and preferences.
In Chinese medicine, menopause represents a natural shift in the body’s yin–yang balance. Patterns such as Kidney yin deficiency, Liver qi constraint and Heart–Kidney imbalance may appear during this time. These patterns can correspond to sensations of heat, restlessness, sleep disruption, and emotional fluctuations.
The aim in treatment is to support harmony between the organ systems, ease tension, and regulate the body’s natural rhythms. Approaches may include acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas when suitable.
To learn more, you can read about Chinese medicine and how its frameworks understand women’s health.
The Acupuncture Evidence Project reviewed studies exploring acupuncture for menopause-related symptoms. They noted associations between acupuncture and changes in hot flush frequency, sleep quality, and general wellbeing in several trials, although results vary and not all studies agree.
A 2019 systematic review involving both sham-controlled and usual-care trials reported that acupuncture was associated with reductions in vasomotor symptoms in some studies. Researchers suggest possible effects on thermoregulation and stress-modulating pathways, though more high-quality research is needed.
These studies do not claim cure or guaranteed results, but they offer insight into how acupuncture may be used as part of supportive care during this life stage.
During a consultation, we’ll go through your symptoms, health history, and what’s been happening recently. If acupuncture is suitable, I’ll place fine, single-use sterile needles at points chosen for your presentation.
Cupping or electroacupuncture may be used in some sessions. Herbal medicine may also be discussed when it seems appropriate for your overall pattern.
Sessions focus on gentle needling and supporting the body’s natural processes. I keep the approach simple and based on your individual needs without unnecessary add-ons.
Depending on your presentation, your treatment plan may include:
Not all of these are used in every session. The approach is based on what seems most suitable for your condition.
Simple changes may help support comfort through menopause:
If you’d like to explore acupuncture as part of your care, you’re welcome to get in touch with my Hervey Bay clinic.
Or call the clinic on 07 4317 4349 if you’d prefer to speak to someone.
The clinic is located in the arcade between the 50’s Diner and the Thai Diamond Restaurant on the Esplanade in Scarness.