Q: Lately I’ve been getting a lot of menopausal hot flashes, and my daughter suffers from severe PMS and irregular periods! How can we get relief??

A: any women experience difficulties surrounding their menstrual cycles – irregular or heavy bleeding, irritability, cravings, cramping, hot flashes…and the list goes on! Artificial chemicals are not always the answer. These symptoms reflect an imbalance in the body’s hormones, and can often be improved through the use of herbal, nutritional and homeopathic supplements.

Menopause and perimenopause (the time leading up to the last period) are times of great change in a womans’s life. Family support is crucial during this time, as is a healthy lifestyle – proper nutrition, essential fatty acids, and exercise. A liver detox and castor oil packs are good additions to this plan. Acupuncture will help to rebalance energies along your meridians, with treatment from an Eastern perspective. Although these menstrual difficulties can create similar symptoms amongst women, each person is an individual – therefore treatments must be personalized for the best result.