Symptoms of intense warmth in the face accompanied by rapid heartbeat and profuse sweating are common with menopause. Acupuncture is proven to be quite effective in treating such hot flushes.

Acupuncture acts on Xi (the inner wind, spirit or energy). It helps in treating hot flushes and other symptoms in menopausal women.
A multicentre, pragmatic, randomized controlled Acuflash study was conducted in Norway during 2006-07. The study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on postmenopausal symptoms. The participants were given a questionnaire comprising of questions regarding depressed mood, somatic symptoms, anxiety/fears, vasomotor symptoms, sleep problems, sexual behavior, menstrual symptoms, memory/concentration, and attractiveness.
The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of acupuncture along with self-care against self-care alone in treating hot flushes and postmenopausal symptoms.
About 267 women with menopause participated in the study. Around 134 of them were given 10 acupuncture treatments by a qualified acupuncturist and advised on self-care. The remaining 133 women in the control group were given advice on self-care only.
During the treatment session, no complications like fainting or bleeding were reported. However one skin reaction, one unacceptable bruising and five cases of unacceptable pain were noted. In comparison to conventional medications, acupuncture produced no harmful side-effects.
With no serious adverse events, acupuncture proves to be a promising alternative therapy for treating hot flushes.
The acupuncture treatment for postmenopausal hot flushes (Acuflash) study: traditional Chinese medicine diagnoses and acupuncture points used, and their relation to the treatment response; Einar Kristian et al; Acupuncture in Medicine; 27:101-108
Source-Medindia