Research Progress on the Mechanism of Acupuncture in Treating Menopausal Syndrome in Women

Authors

  • Jiaxin Yuan
  • Shuai Jiang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62051/ijphmr.v3n2.02

Keywords:

Menopausal syndrome, Mechanism of action, Acupuncture, Review

Abstract

Menopausal syndrome is a common clinical disease. In recent years, its incidence has shown a high growth rate and a younger trend, seriously threatening the physical and mental health of women. Acupuncture therapy starts from the whole body, regulates the functions of the zang-fu organs and Chong and Ren meridians, and can thus alleviate the clinical symptoms of patients. By retrieving relevant literature on acupuncture treatment of menopausal syndrome in recent years, this paper aims to explore the mechanism of acupuncture in treating this disease. Through analysis, it is found that acupuncture can intervene in the treatment of menopausal syndrome from multiple targets, multiple levels and multiple systems, mainly involving the neuro-endocrine system, immune system, vasomotor factors, monoamine neurotransmitters, oxidative stress levels and cell signaling pathways. By summarizing the relevant mechanisms of acupuncture in treating menopausal syndrome, this paper points out the existing deficiencies and development directions in current research, thereby deepening the understanding of acupuncture in treating menopausal syndrome and providing theoretical basis and new ideas for clinical practice.

References

[1] Editing Group of Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Perimenopausal Syndrome (ClimactericSyndrome): Disease Prevention in Key Population; Peking Union Medical College Hospital, ChineseAcademy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 2023, 46(08): 1048-1062.

[2] Zhang Fan, Zhang Guangmei. Research Progress on Female Perimenopausal Syndrome [J]. Chinese Clinical Research, 2017, 30(08): 1131-1133 + 1137. DOI: 10.13429/j.cnki.cjcr.2017.08.040.

[3] Tang Yuling. Analysis of the Clinical Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Perimenopausal Syndrome [J]. Practical Gynecological Endocrinology Electronic Journal, 2021, 8(31): 80-82.

[4] Zhao Yanmei. Observation on the Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Perimenopausal Syndrome [J]. Medicine Frontiers, 2023, 13(10): 71-73.

[5] Lu Ke. Study on the Regulatory Effect of Zhuang Medicine Line Point Acupuncture Therapy on Estrogen and Its Receptors in Perimenopausal Depression Model Rats via Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway [D]. Hubei Minzu University, 2020. DOI: 10.27764/d.cnki.ghbmz.2020.000191.

[6] Jing Q, Ren L, Deng X, et al. Electroacupuncture promotes neural proliferation in hippocampus of perimenopausal depression rats via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway [J]. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 2020, 13(3): 94-103.

[7] Ma SL, Li DJ, Feng Y, et al. Effects of electroacupuncture on uterine morphology and expression of estrogen receptors in ovariectomized rats [J]. Acupunct Med, 2017, 35(3): 208-214.

[8] Wang Hongzhen. Clinical Efficacy Observation of "Qi Bian Tong Shui Da" Needle Technique in Treating Perimenopausal Syndrome [D]. Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2020. DOI: 10.27820/d.cnki.gszxy.2020.000060.

[9] Liu C, Zheng S, Wu W, et al. Effects of acupuncture on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in chronic insomnia patients: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial [J]. Trials, 2019, 20(1): 810.

[10] Xi Hanqing, Wu Wenzhong, Liu Chengyong, et al. "Tong Du Tiao Shen" Needle Technique Regulates Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in Treating Chronic Insomnia [J]. Acupuncture Research, 2020, 45(7): 552-556.

[11] Jiang Xirong. Study on the Intrinsic Correlation of HPO Axis and HPA Axis in Perimenopausal Depression Model Rats by Electroacupuncture Therapy [D]. Shenyang: Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2017.

[12] W. Chen, Y. Chen, W. Cheng, P. Li, J. Shen, T. Tong, et al. Acupuncture exerts preventive effects in rats of chronic unpredictable mild stress: the involvement of inflammation in amygdala and brain-spleen axis Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 646 (2023), pp. 86-95R.P. Liu, J.L. Fang, P.J. Rong, Y. Zhao, H. Meng, H. Ben, et al.

[13] Effects of electroacupuncture at auricular concha region on the depressive status of unpredictable chronic mild stress rat models Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013 (2013), Article 789674

[14] Yang Hua, Zhao Lu, Chen Xu. Research Progress on the Impact of Th1/Th2 Balance Regulation on Gynecology and Obstetrics Diseases. International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2018, 45(5): 579-581.

[15] Deng Yajie, Liu Yujia, He Yi, et al. Correlation between Th17 Immune Regulation-related Inflammatory Cytokines and Depression Severity in Patients with Depression [J]. Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science, 2021, 30(05): 420-425.

[16] Wu Yinghui, Nian Feng, Li Yi, et al. Meta-analysis on the Effect of Stimulating Zusanli Acupoint on Human Immune Function [J]. Contemporary Medicine, 2020, 26(2): 108-111.

[17] Lin Yirui, Wu Lin, Zhao Jin. Effects of Qi-Extraction and Yin-Yuan Acupuncture Combined with Yongquan Acupoint Ailu on Insomnia in Perimenopausal Women and Its Impact on Serum Interleukin-1β, 5-HT, and FSH Levels [J]. Shaanxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2020, 41(6): 811-814.

[18] Yu Huan, Xue Chaoshxia, Lu Tie. Research Progress on Star Nerve Gland Block Therapy for Hot Flashes in Perimenopause [J]. Medical Review, 2020, 26(12): 2391-2395.

[19] Wen Ming, Wang Lin, Zhang Yun, et al. The Effect of Self-made Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula on Insomnia in Perimenopause Women and Its Impact on Vascular Endothelial Function [J]. Journal of Wannan Medical College, 2023, 42(06): 533-535+553.

[20] Yan Ying, Multi-center Clinical Randomized Controlled Trial on Acupuncture Treatment for Perimenopause Syndrome. Tianjin, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2023-04-20.

[21] Liu Lisha, Dong Baoqiang, Liu Xulai, et al. Research on the Mechanism of Effects of Acupuncture at Sanyinjiao, Shenmen, and Neiguan on the 5-HT Content in the Hypothalamus and the Glu/GABA Ratio in Insomnia Rats [J]. Chinese Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2022, 40(3): 65-68.

[22] Xu Ling. Experimental Study on the Effects of Electroacupuncture at Zusanli on Anxiety Behavior and Monoamine Neurotransmitters in Natural Perimenopause Rats [J]. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 2014.

[23] Peng Xiaotao, Xu Ling, Li You, et al. Experimental Study on the Regulation of Estrogen and Monoamine Neurotransmitters in Natural Perimenopause Rats by Electroacupuncture at "Zusanli Acupoint" [J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Health Care, 2014, 17(05): 516-518.

[24] Jiang Xirong, Ren Lu. Effects of Electroacupuncture Therapy on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and β-Ephedrine Peptide in Perimenopause Depression Model Rats [J]. Chinese Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2016, 34(08): 1923-1925. DOI: 10.13193/j.issn.1673-7717.2016.08.038.

[25] PALAGINI L, GEOFFROY P A, MINIATI M, et al. Insomnia, sleep loss, and circadian sleep disturbances in mood disorders: a pathway toward neurodegeneration and neuroprogression. A theoretical review [J]. CNS Spectrums, 2022, 27(3): 298-308.

[26] KOLESNIKOVA L I, SEMENOVA N V, SOLODOVA E I, et al. Oxidative stress in women with insomnia in different stages of menopause [J]. Terapevticheskii Arkhiv, 2017, 89(8): 50-56.

[27] Tian Suling. Experimental study on the influence of reverse needling Guanyuan and Sanyingtiao on the HPO axis of ovariectomized rats and their antioxidant effects [D]. Beijing: Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 2011.

[28] YEUNG W F, YU B Y M, YUEN J W M, et al. Semi-Individualized Acupuncture for Insomnia Disorder and Oxidative Stress: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Trial [J]. Nature and Science of Sleep, 2021, (13):1195-1207.

[29] ZHAO F Y, FU Q Q, SPENCER SARAH J, et al. Acupuncture: A Promising Approach for Comorbid Depression and Insomnia in Perimenopause [J]. Nature and science of sleep, 2021:1823-1863.

[30] Shen Jiewen, Dong Li, Huang Hongli. The influence of the formula of tonifying kidney, relieving depression and clearing heart combined with acupuncture on the ACT-INH-FS pathway in patients with perimenopausal depression [J]. Journal of Modern Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 2017, 26(23): 2512-2514 + 2.

Downloads

Published

27-03-2025

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Yuan, J., & Jiang, S. (2025). Research Progress on the Mechanism of Acupuncture in Treating Menopausal Syndrome in Women. International Journal of Public Health and Medical Research, 3(2), 14-21. https://doi.org/10.62051/ijphmr.v3n2.02