During menopause, most women will have a pattern called Yin deficiency. The hormonal changes that occur during menopause can cause a group of very uncomfortable symptoms for women, such as hot flashes, night sweats, emotional fluctuations, and more. These symptoms represent a loss of fluids in the body, called Yin deficiency in Asian medicine. Acupuncture and herbs can support the transition into menopause. These interventions can help the Yin of the body, aid in balancing the hormones, and thus smooth out the intensity of symptoms. It is best to see a trained acupuncturist and herbalist, as each individual’s presentation is different, and certain regiments may not be appropriate for everyone.
When working to support the bodies Yin, another aspect to consider is the diet: avoiding spicy hot foods, alcohol, ginger, chocolate, and coffee are very important dietary regiments. If menopausal symptoms are under control, then these foods can be consumed in moderation, as long as it does not exacerbate the symptoms. I suggest being especially careful with spicy foods because it causes sweating, which depletes the Yin (fluids). As with any dietary regimen, you can experiment for yourself by avoiding the substance for at least three weeks. Then see if the symptoms are aggravated by eating or drinking the prohibited food/drink.
