Researchers in Brazil have shown acupuncture to be helpful for hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms. A total of 81 women were enrolled into a randomised, single-blind, controlled crossover trial. Group 1 received 12 months of true acupuncture treatment followed by 6 months of sham acupuncture. Group 2 received 6 months of sham acupuncture followed by 12 months of true acupuncture treatment.
After 6 months, women in Group 1 exhibited significantly lower hot flush and menopause symptom intensity scores compared to Group 2. At the 12 month point, scores were similar in both groups. After 18 months, scores for women in Group 2 were lower than those for women in Group 1.
(Acupuncture-ameliorated Menopausal Symptoms: Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomised Trial. Climacteric Journal May 2010. Epub ahead of print.)