What is Menopause and Perimenopause?
Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life. About 1 year after the end of regular menstruation, the menopause period begins.
The average age of menopause is 51 years old in western countries, but it can be seen between the ages of 30-60. At the age of 30, menopause is called early menopause. After menopause, estrogen and pragesterone are normally at lower levels in the blood.
Perimenopause: It is characterized by the appearance of menopausal symptoms, irregularities in menstruation, high and variable estrogen level and a decrease in progesterone level. Most of the perimenopause complaints are caused by the imbalance of these two hormones (estrogen and progesterone).
We can say that it is the transition period of the female body from its fertility task. Changes in this period can last from how many months to how many years. The complaints that arise are caused by the body’s effort to adapt to the drop in estrogen.
According to the theory of Chinese medicine (TCM), the female body, when the fertility responsibility required for the continuation of life is over, turns its blood and energy to maintain its own life and switches to the maximum benefit program.
The flow of blood and energy no longer shifts towards the womb, but towards the kidneys, which, according to Tao philosophy, are an important source of life energy. In this way, unnecessary loss of energy is eliminated, and the female body and soul, rather than focusing on the duty of motherhood, try to regain their own essence and freedom. As good as these sentences may sound, complaints can turn out to be disturbing. This period, like any other transition period, is difficult.
Since the body physiology (balanced interaction between organs and cells) cannot overnight the order it has been accustomed to for years, namely the high level of Estrogen, and cannot adapt to the new period, the new turbulence created by this adaptation and transition process is considered normal. Psychological status and genetics have a role in this period, whether mild or severe. According to studies, complaints are more severe in people with a stressful mood than those with a calm personality (psychological factor), but the genetic factor may also be effective.
What are the symptoms of perimenopause?
While some women go through this period without any problems, some are affected by these disturbing complaints. The number and severity of complaints determine the degree of imbalance and treatment plan.
Hot flashes, night sweats
Sleep problems, inability to sleep, falling asleep late, waking up frequently.
Mood changes, being fragile,
Fibroid structure in the uterus, spotting between periods, skipping cycles and increase in pre-period complaints (premenstrual syndrome)
Increased desire to eat, gaining weight
Digestive system problems; gas, reflux.
Heart complaints, arrhythmia, palpitations.
Hair loss, facial hair growth, acne
Breast cysts and tenderness, nipple discharge,
Urinary tract infection or urinary incontinence,
Menopause Treatment with Laser Acupuncture ?
Hormone replacement therapy applied after menopause in women’s health has been much discussed in medicine. Despite years of research, there are still doubts about applying this recipe. Hormone therapy prevents hot flashes and osteoporosis, reduces the risk of heart disease, but also increases the risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer.
According to the Tao Philosophy, the life energy we call Qi flows in our body, and this energy moves in channels called meredians (12 meredians belonging to 12 organs). These channels are also connected to each other.
Any problem or decrease in Qi flow is the main cause of complaints.
Laser Acupuncture In menopause, it helps the body by detecting new energy changes in the body, establishing a new balance and providing energy flow. According to this philosophy, since the energy of the kidney decreases in Menopause; hot flashes, night sweats and palpitations occur. When there is a problem in the flow of liver energy; mood swings, depression, headaches, and insomnia may be added.
A treatment plan specific to each patient is selected according to the type and frequency of complaints.
Acupuncture stimulates selected special points on the ear and body, causing the initiation of some biochemical and physiological functions, and in this way, energy is activated in different parts of the brain, in different organs (according to the selected points). and the problems gradually disappear.
Most of the patients find the acupuncture application relaxing. Many patients sleep during the sessions (body acupuncture). The duration and number of treatment
may vary slightly from person to person. In general, the duration of treatment lasts 30 minutes. 10 sessions in the form of 2 sessions a week are often sufficient and then once a month as a protection program, the intervals gradually get longer. .
Complaints may decrease in the first session, but in severe and chronic cases, several sessions will be required to reduce symptoms. Studies have shown that it is also effective in the treatment of hot flashes in people using tamoxifen in the follow-up of breast cancer.
Acupuncture regulates hormonal balance by providing the balance of hypothalamus – pituitary-ovary. 2008 The North American Menopause Society.
In people who want to benefit from Laser Acupuncture treatment, hormone therapy is started and the hormone taken is stopped by decreasing it. At the same time, acupuncture treatment can be started. In this way, the risk of complaints returning is minimized.
Some studies on the effect of acupuncture on menopause.
Chamberlain G. Malvern j. British Acupuncture council of 1996
Susan Cohen Assoiciate Professor of University of Pittsburg (1997-1999)
What are the changes that need to be made in life habits?
You should choose a job that is comfortable and you enjoy.
Every day 30 min. You should do a brisk walk, this is effective for both your heart health and preventing osteoporosis.
You should get enough sleep.
You should try to relax deeply, meditation and yoga can help you with this. Laser acupuncture will help you reach this goal faster by regulating the energy flow.
Dairy products, red meat, alcohol, sugar, spicy foods, caffeine and cigarettes (nicotine) trigger hot flashes and mood swings.
You should focus on Fruit, Greens and white meat (fish, chicken, turkey) in your diet.
Advantages of laser therapy over hormone therapy in menopause:
A faster decrease in the frequency and severity of complaints in hot flashes and night sweats.
Greatly effective in mood swings and depression.
No side effects.
In some studies, a shot was also detected in bone density (15-20%). ( International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetics Published by Elsevier inc 2002)
( Wang JF. Institute of Medical Sciences of Dezhov University , China ,2009)
