A recent meta-analysis concludes that acupuncture is effective for the management of menopausal vasomotor symptoms.

The investigators analyzed 12 randomized controlled trials with a total of 869 participants. Acupuncture reduced hot flash frequency and severity and improved quality of life (QoL) in the vasomotor domain. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of acupuncture persist for as long as 3 months.

The results were less consistent when it came to the effects of acupuncture on sleep problems, mood disturbances, and sexual problems. Acupuncture did not improve quality of life in the psychiatric, physical, and sexual domains.

Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD

Chiu, H. Y., Pan, C. H., Shyu, Y. K., Han, B. C., & Tsai, P. S. (2015). Effects of acupuncture on menopause-related symptoms and quality of life in women in natural menopause: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Menopause (New York, N.Y.), 22(2), 234–244. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000000260