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2 DIY Acupressure Points to put a pause to Menopause Symptoms

During menopause, several women experience irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue and many other problems that may persist for many years. These symptoms are caused by hormonal imbalance and can lead to higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, urinary tract disease and dermatological conditions.

During menopause, several women experience irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue and many other problems that may persist for many years. These symptoms are caused by hormonal imbalance and can lead to higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, urinary tract disease and dermatological conditions.

From TCM’s perspective, the cause of these symptoms is due to kidney yin and/or yang deficiency, mostly accompanied by liver stagnation, blood stasis and phlegm accumulation. The severity of symptoms vary according to individual and is affected by her lifestyle, body constitution and past medical history.

Patients with kidney yin deficiency may suffer from symptoms like night sweats, warmer extremities, and backache. Recommended lifestyle changes include sleeping before 11pm, eating less of food that is warm and dry in nature like pepper, chilli, ginger, garlic, and more of yin-nourishing food like eggs, duck, scallop, watermelon, strawberry, white fungus, as well as herbs like lily bulb, wolfberry, ‘mai dong’ and American ginseng.

Patients with kidney yang deficiency may suffer from water retention, lethargy, episodes of chills and hot flushes, and frequent urination. Those with kidney yang deficiency should avoid eating too much food that is cool in nature, for example, crab, oyster, pear, beer and green tea. Instead, they should incorporate mutton, beef, prawn, walnut and ginger into their diet.

2 Acupressure Points you can try at home:

1. Acupoint KD3, 太溪 ‘Tai Xi’: Located at the midpoint between the prominence of the Medial Malleolus and the Calcaneal Tendon.

Press on this acupoint for 1 to 3 minutes every day to help nourish the kidney and clear heat.

Menopause-Taixi

2. Acupoint SP6, 三阴交 ‘San Yin Jiao’: Located 3 inches (about the length of 4 fingers) above the prominence of Medial Malleolus, just behind the Tibia.

Press on this acupoint for 1 to 3 minutes every day to nourish your spleen, invigorate the liver and kidney, regulate ‘Qi’ and blood flow and calm the nerves for better sleep; it is an acupoint that is commonly used to treat gynaecological problems.

Menopause-San-yin-jiao

How can PULSE help?

It is advisable to consult a physician if the menopausal symptoms are acutely troubling you.

At PULSE, we can help manage menopause by using acupuncture and Chinese medicine to alleviate these symptoms. Since menopause lasts even up to a few years, our physicians will be treating you on a weekly basis for up till 3 menstrual cycles.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

While some individuals feel a sense of immediate relaxation after stimulating points like SP6 (San Yin Jiao), TCM is a cumulative therapy. For chronic menopausal symptoms like hot flashes or insomnia, it is generally recommended to perform DIY acupressure daily for at least 4 to 12 weeks to see significant, long-term improvements in hormonal balance.
Acupressure is a non-invasive, safe DIY method. However, you may feel a slight dull ache or "de-qi" sensation at the point, which is a sign the point is being activated. It is important to avoid applying excessive pressure that causes bruising. Note: Pregnant women should avoid SP6 as it is used to induce labor.
Yes, TCM treatments like acupressure and acupuncture can often be used as a complementary therapy alongside HRT. While HRT focuses on replacing estrogen, acupressure aims to strengthen the body’s "Kidney Yin" and "Kidney Yang," potentially helping to manage side effects or lower the required dosage of medication. Always consult your physician before combining treatments.
For symptoms like night sweats or insomnia (often linked to Kidney Yin deficiency), performing acupressure in the evening—ideally before 11 PM—is most effective. This aligns with the body’s natural circadian rhythm and helps calm the nervous system before sleep.
If your menopause symptoms are acutely troubling, persistent, or significantly impacting your quality of life (e.g., severe fatigue or heavy irregular bleeding), a DIY approach may not be enough. A professional physician can provide a personalized diagnosis of your "body constitution" and prescribe tailored herbal medicine or clinical acupuncture which is more potent than manual pressure.
In TCM, Kidney Yin deficiency is often characterized by "heat" symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and a dry mouth. Kidney Yang deficiency is associated with "cold" symptoms, such as cold limbs, water retention (edema), and frequent urination. Identifying your specific type helps determine whether you should use "cooling" foods (like white fungus) or "warming" foods (like ginger and walnuts).

References

PULSETCM-Physician-Dr-Sim-Beng-Joo
Reviewed by: Dr Sim Beng Joo
Advisor (Science & Strategy) / Consultant Physician TCMPB T1303003A

Dr Sim Beng Joo is a fully MOH-licensed Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, registered with the Singapore TCMPB.

Expertise: Gastrointestinal Syndromes Pain Management Sleep / Fatigue / Concentration Syndromes

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Note: The information shared is based on clinical experience and TCM principles. This is for educational sharing and should not replace a personalized consultation. Always speak to your healthcare provider before starting new treatments.