Menopause Specialist

What is Menopause?

The definition of menopause is the time 12 months after you have stopped menstruating. It is an inescapable part of life for women in their 40's and 50's, with the average woman in the United States experiencing menopause at age 51.

What are the Symptoms of Menopause?

In the years leading up to actual menopause, many women experience "peri-menopause." After age 35, a woman's hormone levels begin to decrease, particularly the hormone progesterone which counter-balances estrogen in a woman's body. As a result, many women experience irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and weight gain.

When estrogen levels decline, so do bone density and muscle and skin elasticity. With these significant losses, the risk of significant health problems increases dramatically. Cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and weight gain all increase with the onset of menopause.

How Can Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treat Menopause?

While it is a natural biological occurrence, you do not have to suffer from uncomfortable symptoms. Eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, and exercising regularly will help alleviate menopause symptoms. However, the most effective treatment protocols for menopausal symptoms are found in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Herbal supplements and botanicals help balance the body's hormone levels. Acupuncture has proven effective in managing hot flashes, irregular periods, and mood changes as well as osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, and weight gain. Where synthetic hormones must be closely monitored and can yield unpleasant side effects, Dr. Zhou offers an alternative to the western way of thinking with centuries-old methods and modern techniques.