The average age for the menopause is approximately 51, although the perimenopause (the time when alterations to the menstrual cycle begin) can sometimes start approximately ten years before the period stops completely.
Approximately 70% of women suffer from hot flushes and night sweats during the menopause, not to mention emotional changes and other symptoms such as irritability, reduced libido, anxiety and brain fog.
Treatment of hot flushes is the most common reason for taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, although HRT relieves menopausal symptoms in 80-90% of women, some women are reluctant to take it and others cannot take it because of their medical history.
Chinese medicine offers an alternative to HRT and can reduce the intensity and frequency of hot flushes and many of the other distressing symptoms which can accompany the menopause.