Acupuncture Reduces Hot Flashes
Source: Natural World News
http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/8058/20140715/acupuncture-reduces-severity-frequency-hot-flashes.htm
For the present study, researchers looked at data from 104 earlier research papers on the subject. Out of the 104 studies, only 12 studies with 869 participants met the criteria for the current research. The studies included women aged between 40-60 years. Type of treatments for hot flashes included traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture (TCMA), acupressure, electro-acupuncture, laser acupuncture and ear acupuncture, according to a news release.
The studies reported that acupuncture reduced severity and frequency of hot flashes. There were inconsistent reports on acupuncture affecting sleep problems, mood disturbances and sexual problems.
The study doesn’t explain why acupuncture helps with hot flashes. One theory is that acupuncture reduces the concentration of β-endorphin in the hypothalamus, which leads to a drop in estrogen concentration. Lower levels of estrogen trigger release of CGRP, which affects thermoregulation.
Researchers also found that even sham acupuncture had the same effect as genuine therapy. The study results are important because as many as fifty percent of the women undergoing menopause seen alternative therapies to ease hot flashes.
“More than anything, this review indicates that there is still much to be learned relative to the causes and treatments of menopausal hot flashes,” said Margery Gass, MD, executive director of North American Menopause Society. “The review suggests that acupuncture may be an effective alternative for reducing hot flashes, especially for those women seeking non- pharmacologic therapies.”
