sOne of my favorite conditions to work with is the suite of symptoms that can occur during perimenopause – those months or years when women’s periods are coming to an end. Often the menstrual cycle becomes erratic, the period itself becomes lighter or different than it has been for years, and other symptoms including intense irritability, hot flashes, and night sweats can ensue. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are simple and effective tools that help the hormonal system to adjust more smoothly to the changes that are happening as the period ends. Irritability When women’s hormones shift and menopause nears, women may feel as though they are experiencing bad pre-menstrual symptoms for days or weeks on end. It is not uncommon to have really intense irritability, snapping at coworkers and loved ones, and feeling agitated more often than not. As the body copes with shifting hormones the nervous system can become out of balance. Acupuncture and herbs are helpful in lowering stress hormones, releasing the body from the “fight or flight” state, and enabling women to manage situations with less irritability. Hot Flashes/Night Sweats It is also common for women to experience either hot flashes or night sweats or both during their transition into menopause. Both acupuncture and herbal remedies can address the imbalance caused by shifting hormone levels. Typically after several treatments women will experience fewer hot flashes, less intense hot flashes, and less intense or fewer night sweats. Depending on how long these symptoms have been occurring, it may take women several months to complete treatment. Additional Symptoms Other symptoms around menopause may include changes in sex drive; an increase in dry skin, hair, and vaginal dryness; difficulty sleeping; fatigue; headache; and more. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes can address these symptoms and ease the transition into menopause.