The Impact of Acupuncture on Perimenopause

Objective: The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of acupuncture on perimenopausal women’s daily vasomotor symptoms and quality of life (QoL). Methods: Perimenopausal women who experienced more than four hot flashes or night sweats daily without a period for 60 days were recruited from two ambulatory practices. After informed consent was obtained, participants completed the Menopause Questionnaire (demographics, symptoms, and QoL) prior to a series of acupuncture treatments. After each of the eight acupuncture treatments occurring over 10 weeks, they completed a post-treatment survey. The primary endpoint of this study was the change in scores of the symptom portion of the Menopause Questionnaire from baseline to the 3-, 6-, and 12-month data collection time points. The secondary endpoint was the Menopausal-Specific Quality of Life Scale QoL survey scores. Results: The sample was comprised of 13 participants. There was a significant change in life satisfaction over time after receiving the intervention, R 2 = 0.26, F (8, 82) = 3.54, p = 0.04. Participants rated their satisfaction in controlling daily hot flashes improved since treatment, B = −1.93, t (82) = −4.71, p = 0.001, and satisfaction in their sex lives had improved since treatment, B = −1.13, t (82) = −2.31, p = 0.001. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests acupuncture may be beneficial in the management of daily hot flashes, improvement in life satisfaction, and the sex lives of perimenopausal women. Further studies of acupuncture and other integrative therapies with larger sample sizes targeting a variety of populations should be conducted to determine which of these practices should serve as standard of care for women across their lifespan.