Women’s Health

Menopause is the point when periods stop for good, usually between the ages of 45 and 55, as levels of oestrogen and other reproductive hormones fall. For many women the years around it bring hot flushes, night sweats, broken sleep, anxiety and low mood. In this guide, the UK Centre of Chinese Medicine (CCMUK) explains how Chinese medicine has understood this transition for more than two thousand years, the patterns practitioners look for, what modern research really shows, and how traditional approaches can sit safely alongside NHS care.

Menopause in numbers

World Menopause Day was marked on 18 October, and the International Menopause Society chose Chronic Pain in Midlife as its 2026 theme, a reminder that menopause affects far more than periods. According to the NHS, most women experience some symptoms, which often begin months or years before the last period, during the perimenopause, and continue for around four years afterwards. For some women they last much longer.

Voices that broke the silence

For generations menopause was rarely discussed in public. That has changed quickly, thanks in part to well-known women who chose to share their own experiences.

How does Chinese medicine understand menopause?

The oldest description comes from the Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic), which describes a woman’s life unfolding in cycles of seven years. In the seventh cycle, around the age of 49, it says the Tian Gui, the substance that governs fertility and menstruation, becomes exhausted and the periods stop. The transition is presented as a natural turning point rather than a disease.

Central to this picture are the Kidneys, which in Chinese medicine store Jing (essence) and hold the body’s deepest reserves of Yin, the cooling and nourishing force, and Yang, the warming and activating force. As essence naturally declines with age, the balance between Yin and Yang can become unsteady, and the symptoms of menopause are understood as the outward signs of that imbalance.

Chinese medicine does not see menopause as something going wrong. It sees a change of season, and asks how to help the body move through it with balance.

Four common patterns practitioners look for

Two women with the same symptom may be treated quite differently, because a practitioner looks at the whole pattern: tongue, pulse, sleep, digestion, temperature and mood. These are the patterns described most often in menopause.

Mood changes around menopause are common and real. If you are interested in how Chinese medicine views emotional wellbeing more broadly, see our guide to the seven emotions in Chinese medicine.

What does the research say?

As a centre dedicated to research and education, CCMUK believes women deserve an honest account of the evidence. Here is where things currently stand.

Where herbal formulas fit

In a Chinese medicine clinic, herbal formulas are chosen for the individual pattern and adjusted as symptoms change, which is why a personal consultation with a qualified practitioner is always the best starting point. Many women also like to continue with traditional formulas at home between appointments.

For those looking for well-made products, Aura Nutrition, part of the same Phoenix family as CCMUK, produces classical formulas such as Jia Wei Xiao Yao San as concentrated, GMP-certified food supplements, and has a dedicated women’s wellness range. Whatever you choose, speak to your GP or pharmacist before starting any herbal product if you take HRT, antidepressants, blood thinners or other prescribed medicines, as some herbs can interact with them.

Seven everyday habits for an easier transition

1. Cool, do not overheat: Chinese dietary therapy suggests limiting spicy food, alcohol and strong coffee, which are thought to add heat and are also common hot-flush triggers.
2. Nourish Yin with food: traditional choices include black sesame, goji berries, mung beans, pears, tofu and leafy greens, alongside a balanced diet rich in calcium for bone health.
3. Protect your sleep: keep the bedroom cool, wear layers you can remove, and try to wind down before 11pm, the hour Chinese medicine links with restoring Yin.
4. Move gently and regularly: tai chi, qigong, walking and strength exercise help mood, sleep, weight and bones.
5. Breathe through a flush: slow, paced breathing when a hot flush starts can help you feel more in control, and is part of many CBT programmes.
6. Keep qi moving emotionally: talking, journalling and creative outlets ease the frustration Chinese medicine links with Liver qi stagnation.
7. Keep a symptom diary: noting flushes, sleep and mood helps both your GP and your practitioner choose the right support.

Combining Chinese medicine safely with NHS care

Chinese medicine works best as part of a joined-up approach. Choose a practitioner who belongs to a recognised professional register, holds insurance and is happy to work alongside your GP; our guide to what makes a TCM practitioner qualified explains what to look for. Always tell each professional about everything you take, and never stop HRT or other prescribed treatment without medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

The bottom line

Menopause is a natural change, but that does not mean anyone should simply put up with symptoms that affect their life. Chinese medicine offers a thoughtful, individual way of understanding the transition, and practical habits around food, sleep, movement and emotional balance that many women find helpful. The research on acupuncture and herbs is still developing, so the best approach combines traditional wisdom with the evidence-based options your GP can offer, chosen with care and with qualified support.