Acupuncture and Perimenopause Options

[avalon53]

Hi Women,

This is my first post on the website. Thanks for making me feel welcome!

Could you please share any acupuncture experiences you have had in treating perimenopausal symptoms?

I am on my second round of acupuncture. The first was successful in terms of treating symptoms (night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, etc.) however, it turned out the male acupuncturist I was seeing was sexually inappropriate with another female patient I knew well and I ended my treatment.

I swore I'd only see a female professional after that experience, yet when another female friend recommended another male acupuncturist with whom she was having success, I began a second round of treatment. I've been seeing this person for several months and although he is very professional and I've had good results, the treatments hurt like hell!

After today, I just know I can't go back to him. He inserted two needles and I was screaming in pain. I asked to stop the treatment and he was very understanding. We then agreed to a simple session of just having needles inserted in my ears and one in my forehead. This was manageable and relaxing although I spent my alone time in the session with tears streaming down my face (into my ears!) because I felt like such a wimp -- while at the same time glad that I had listened to my body's big bold NO to the pain of the other needles.

I've been searching on the internet tonight to find out if others have experienced the kind of pain I'm talking about and all the sites keep saying that acupuncture should not be painful. It really wasn't painful with the first acupuncturist, but he was a weasel in other ways!

This new guy is nice, but he hurts me even though I know he doesn't mean to. His technique seems to be more agressive with turning of the needles after insertion and I truly experience an awful, deep, wrenching pain that feels electrical and beyond my ability to withstand.

Although the results have been good, I can't tolerate the treatment! I don't want to give up acupuncture; I just think I need a more gentle approach. I can resonate with the idea that I have "stagnant liver chi" and therefore the needles in sensitive places can cause more sensitivity and "some" pain, but today was awful! It makes me cringe just remembering the session today.

My perimenopausal "wise gut" tells me my next attempt at acupuncture needs to be with a female practitioner, yet I also know just seeing a female is probably not the total answer.

I don't like feeling like such a total wuss. (I did have natural childbirth two times back in the 70's and therefore I CAN withstand supreme intensity!)

Any wise woman out there with input, advice, info?

Many thanks in advance,

Avalon

[NancyV]

Hi,

I tried accupuncture for PMS many years ago.   I was especially wanting it to help the cramps I had also.

I had an adrenaline type reaction where I went into a panic type reaction.   In other words, it was too much a change for my body.   I decided it was not for me.

I think my body was way to sensitive at that time to do anything drastic.

I would think in menopause gentle treatments would be best....not involving pain of any kind.   I think it would involve knowing just what would be best without going overboard on it.

I have had accupuncture turn off my tinnitus for the one day it was treated for that but came back...that was interesting and proved to me it definitely does something.

Maybe you can finetune which accupuncture treatments would be enough.

[avalon53]

Dear NancyV,

Thank you for your gentle reply.

I think -- and feel -- that you are so right about "gentle treatments being best --- not involving pain of any kind."

I so much appreciate your words of gentleness.

I spoke with a female friend today who said much the same and the validation from both of you is so meaningful to me.

Even though my work as a therapist is with women and my co-workers are all women, it is so significant to me that I STILL sometimes doubt my innate feminine wisdom when it comes to dealing with the wider world.

Thank you, NancyV for your affirmation about listening to my body and making THAT listening the foundation for further discovery in this journey.

avalon 53

[Bailey554]

Hi, I have gone to an acupuncturist for over 4 years now.  He has helped me tremendously with carpal tunnel (my orthopod wanted to do bilateral surgery!!) to the point where I can wash windows and even kayak with no pain.  He also helped me with what the director of infectious disease told me was chronic fatigue syndrome.  And I no longer get tired or experience the pain.  So now I have entrusted him to work on my for my menopausal symptoms.  And he is excellent.  He is the President of the Acupuncture Assoc of RI so he is very good and he was a ob-gyn in Poland, which makes him very sympathetic to menopause.  You should not experience any pain with acupuncture.  The only "pain" I experienced in over 4 years was a slight tingling once when he put a needle in.  He said that the "chi"  or energy was stagnant in that area and that is why I felt the tingling.  But there is definitely something wrong if you are experiencing any pain.

Try and find a female if you can.  If not, go to Google.com and type in "Acupuncturist"  It will bring up several sites where you can search for acupuncturists in your state.  If you can find one that belongs to an association you are better off.  They are well qualified and you should be on your way to symptom-free days!!

Good Luck!!

[Bevjane]

I have had two seperate experiences with acupuncture with  two different people. Years ago I had it for an overactive bladder condition. though I did end the treatments for financial reasons before I was fully well, I did feel it helped a lot and I did get better without medication. That time I had a young asian woman and she was very gentle, though occasionally I would feel little nerve twinges when the needle went in.More recently I am having acupuncture for perimeno symptoms administered by an American guy who has been practicing for over  25 years. He is quicker and a little rougher and sometimes the needles do sting a bit when they go in. Initially the treatments relaxed me a great deal, but now sometimes I also feel a surge of energy at the end of a treatment that makes me want it to be over. It's hard to tell to what extent it has helped because I am also taking Revival soy, but because of the cost (though acupuncture is discounted on my health plan) I will have to give one of them up soon, and it won't be Revival. Still, I'm glad I had the acupuncture - it really helped me relax at a time of total meltdown, and I'm sure it has helped balance my system. I have had about 6 sessions so far.

[theode2]

I thought I would also share my experiences with acupuncture.  I have seen a tradtional acupuncturist who is the president of my state's acupuncture board.  I believe he is very good, however, after 4 months of regular visits, I have to report that acupuincture did not help with my menopause symptoms or the fatigue.  I really was hoping for great results. I guess everyone responds to different modalities.   I wish good things for all of us who are trying out various alternatives to assist ourselves thru this transition.Tedi