Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Menopausal Hot Flushes

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Menopausal Hot Flushes

Hot flushes are a common clinical symptom of menopause and have a significant impact on daily life and work performance. This study presents a case of a 51-year-old female patient who experienced irregular menstruation for one year and developed sudden-onset hot flushes over the six months prior to presentation at the study hospital. Her symptoms were accompanied by night sweats, irritability and mood swings. Specifically, she frequently awoke at night due to excessive sweating and heat sensation, making it difficult to fall asleep. Consequently, she often experienced occipital headaches the following day. The patient was diagnosed with menopausal syndrome by a Western medicine gynecologist but opted not to undergo hormone replacement therapy and sought treatment using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Based on TCM syndrome differentiation, the patient was diagnosed with liver and kidney yin deficiency leading to hyperactive fire. Treatment focused on nourishing the liver and kidneys, enriching yin, and clearing internal heat. Following the TCM intervention, the patient’s menopausal symptoms improved significantly, as evidenced by a reduction in Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) scores, highlighting the potential of TCM as an effective alternative therapy worthy of further investigation.