Menopause & Perimenopause Acupuncture
Kate is a TCMCI-registered acupuncturist with over 25 years of experience, and a member of Zita West's national fertility and pregnancy network.
A growing number of women are seeking non-hormonal ways to manage menopause and perimenopause. Whether you are in the early stages of perimenopause, going through menopause, or dealing with symptoms years after your last period, acupuncture offers a gentle, evidence-informed approach to managing symptoms and supporting your overall wellbeing.
With over 25 years of experience treating women throughout every stage of their reproductive lives - from fertility and pregnancy through to menopause - Kate brings deep expertise to each individualised treatment plan she develops.
How Acupuncture May Help with Menopause
Women commonly seek acupuncture for the following menopausal symptoms:
- Hot flushes and night sweats - one of the most researched areas; multiple trials suggest acupuncture may reduce both frequency and intensity
- Sleep difficulties - insomnia is common during menopause; many women report better sleep after a course of treatment
- Anxiety and mood changes - treatment aims to support the body's stress response and help regulate emotional wellbeing
- Joint pain and stiffness - many women notice new aches during the menopause transition; acupuncture is often used to help ease discomfort and improve circulation
- Fatigue and low energy - practitioners work to address the underlying patterns that contribute to persistent tiredness
- Brain fog and poor concentration - often linked to disrupted sleep and hormonal changes; some women find acupuncture helps with mental clarity alongside physical symptoms
Research note
A 2019 randomised controlled trial published in BMJ Open found that five weeks of acupuncture significantly reduced hot flush frequency, and improvements were maintained for six months after treatment ended.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause - the transition period leading up to menopause - can begin years before periods stop. Symptoms such as irregular periods, mood changes, sleep disruption, and early hot flushes are common but often go unrecognised.
Many women find acupuncture helpful precisely during this transitional phase, when the hormonal picture is still shifting and conventional approaches may not yet feel appropriate. Treatment is tailored to where you are in your cycle and how your symptoms present.
Acupuncture Alongside HRT
Acupuncture works well alongside hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Some women choose acupuncture while waiting for HRT to take full effect; others use it to manage symptoms that persist despite HRT, or to address the emotional and sleep-related aspects that medication alone does not always resolve. A small number prefer a non-hormonal route entirely - acupuncture can support this too.
See Prices & Clinic Hours for appointment costs. A typical course for menopause symptoms begins with weekly sessions, with frequency reducing as symptoms improve.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How many sessions will I need for menopause symptoms?
Most women notice a change within four to six sessions. A course of weekly treatments is usually recommended to begin with, reducing in frequency as symptoms improve. The 2019 BMJ Open trial used five weekly sessions and found effects lasting six months. Kate will review progress with you and adjust accordingly.
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Can acupuncture help if I am also on HRT?
Yes. Acupuncture and HRT work well together. Some women use acupuncture to manage symptoms while HRT is being titrated; others find it helps with aspects of menopause - such as sleep, mood, and joint pain - that are not fully resolved by HRT alone. If you are not on HRT and prefer to manage symptoms without hormones, acupuncture can support that approach.
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Which symptoms respond best to acupuncture?
Hot flushes and night sweats have the strongest research evidence behind them. Sleep difficulties, anxiety, and mood changes also respond well in clinical practice. Joint pain and fatigue can improve too, though individual responses vary. Kate will take a detailed history at your first appointment to understand which symptoms are most prominent for you and tailor treatment accordingly.
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Is acupuncture safe during perimenopause?
Yes. Acupuncture is safe throughout perimenopause and menopause. Only sterile, single-use needles are used. Kate is a member of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Council of Ireland (TCMCI), which requires members to adhere to strict codes of safe practice. There are no contraindications specific to the perimenopause or menopausal transition.