The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recently expanded their recommendations for the management of menopause symptoms. ACOG reviewed literature across various interventions for menopause symptoms like Vasomotor Symptoms (VMS), sleep disturbances and mood symptoms. VMS includes hot flashes and night sweats. Based on this literature review, ACOG now includes acupuncture in their recommendations.
The guidelines state: “Evidenced-based nonpharmacologic interventions for menopausal vasomotor, sleep and mood symptoms include CBT, MBIs, exercise, clinical hypnosis and acupuncture. These approaches can be used alone but generally are recommended as adjunctive treatments to be used in combination with hormonal or nonhormonal pharmacotherapy.”
The guidelines go on to say, “ACOG suggests acupuncture to reduce VMS and improve menopause-related sleep disturbances and mood symptoms.”
I was thrilled when I read the updated guidance. Acupuncture is being recognized by ACOG as an evidence-based therapy for use in treating menopause symptoms! Of course, Traditional Medicine has been used for thousands of years to help people with their symptoms, but to see acupuncture in any Western Medicine guidelines is a win.
The recommendations acknowledge that additional, high quality research is needed for acupuncture. However, based on the evidence that exists to date—demonstrating not only benefit but sustained benefit—ACOG recognizes acupuncture as a low-risk and safe treatment that can be used alone or in addition to other therapies, including HRT.
To me, these updated guidelines are important in several ways:
They are recommending HRT for patients who are candidates for hormonal therapy; the tide of fear is changing
Acupuncture is included in the list of evidence-based therapies
The guidance includes and then goes beyond hot flashes and night sweats to include insomnia and mood symptoms
Yet another medical organization now includes acupuncture in their guidelines
As I understand it, acupuncture is now recommeded by:
The American Society of Clinical Oncologists
The American College of Rheumatology
The American College of Physicians
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgeons
The CDC
And now, The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
It is also used extensively by the Veterans Admninistration and in major institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering.
I’m passonate about providing care to women in perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. Inclusion of acupuncture in the ACOG guidelines helps to educate patients and physicians about the benefits of acupuncture, so that people can get the care that they need.
Book your appointment for acupuncture, and let’s talk about how acupuncture can help your perimenopause symptoms/menopause symptoms.