Thursday, September 8, 2016

Differentiating Between Perimenopause, Menopause And Post-Menopause

Menopause is a normal stage in every woman’s life. Yet, most women do not have much information about it. Does it start in the 40s? What are its symptoms?
To put it simply, natural menopause takes place in the following stages:

Perimenopause or Menopause Transition:

In the majority of cases, a woman gets perimenopause or menopause transition in her 40s. However, it can start in the 30s as well.
Perimenopause starts almost eight to ten years before menopause. This is the time when the ovaries create less estrogens. It lasts until menopause. During the last stage of perimenopause, women start to experience menopause symptoms. Keep in mind, the menstrual cycles still occur at this stage. Therefore, women can get pregnant.

Menopause:

Menopause is that stage when a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs and estrogens. In addition, she no longer has her monthly menstrual cycle. In other words, she is not fertile any more.
Menopause is a sign of aging and typically occurs between late 40s to early 50s. But, some women may experience it earlier due to surgical intervention, such as from chemotherapy.
Here are some signs of menopause:

  • Hot flashes
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Night sweats
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability and mood swings
  • Mild depression
  • Dry skin or mouth
  • Headaches
  • Weight gain
  • Hair loss or thinning

Postmenopause:

Postmenopause follows menopause. It is when a woman has not had her menstrual cycle for a year.
Most menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes stop at this stage. That being said, women have a high risk of developing health conditions, such as heart disease due to low estrogen. Medication can help treat some of these conditions. But, it is important to talk to a doctor before taking any medication. 
The possibility of becoming pregnant is nonexistent at this stage. For those not wanting to become pregnant, the use of birth control until menopause helps. On the other hand, it is possible to have a baby during perimenopause. There are many advanced fertility-enhancing techniques that can increase your chances of getting pregnant.
For more information on pregnancy related issues, check out Brisbane Livewell Clinic. Specialising in alternative form of medicine, the clinic offers a wide range of services, including naturopathy, bowen therapy and fertility acupuncture in Brisbane.

Brisbane Livewell Clinic focuses on a holistic approach to health. All practitioners provide personalised plan and professional support to help their patients get back on track. 

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

5 Ways Acupuncture Can Help Relieve Stress

Stress is a natural part of our existence. Regardless of a person’s gender or age, everyone experiences some level of stress in their daily routines. What causes stress to one person may not cause to another. In other word, the cause of stress typically varies from person to person.
While short-lived stress can be beneficial, it is long-term, chronic stress that can cause serious problems. This is especially true if it negatively interferes with an individual’s ability to perform basic everyday tasks.
Chronic stress can result in severe anxiety and depression, if it is not treated in time.
Here are 5 ways acupuncture therapy can help relieve your stress levels:

#1 – It slows the production of stress hormones

Acupuncture is a great technique to reduce anxiety and stress. According to a study published by Georgetown University, the Chinese therapy slows the production of stress hormones. It minimizes the stress protein, thereby reducing your stress levels.

# 2 – It improves sleep

Sleep and stress are interrelated. Your stress levels will aggravate if you don’t get a good night’s sleep. A report published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences reveals that acupuncture increases nocturnal melatonin and reduces anxiety and insomnia. As a result, the alternative therapy can help reduce your stress levels.

# 3 – It helps treat chronic pain

Any kind of chronic pain, including back pain, causes stress. Acupuncture is widely used to reduce chronic pain, such as headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain and back pain.

# 4 – It helps shift thinking patterns

Need to improve your thinking patterns? Acupuncture is a popular technique for shifting thinking patterns. It can also improve a patient’s memory and concentration. Some people find it easier to opt for healthy lifestyle changes due to the technique.

# 5 – It balances mind-body awareness

Acupuncture enhances your mind-body awareness. It boosts the flow of energy within the body. With more energy and a deep awareness, you will feel more productive, efficient and less stressed.


While acupuncture an effective technique for reducing stress, it’s important to consult a trained acupuncturist for it. Brisbane Livewell Clinic offers the best acupuncture treatment in Brisbane. The clinic’s experienced acupuncturists spend time with each patient to find a clear diagnosis in initial consultation. They use a variety of diagnostic tools for diagnosis. Thereafter, the clinic’s acupuncturists stimulate the acupuncture points using conventional methods, alongside others such as moxibustion, cupping, laser therapy, electro-stimulation and massage. And that’s not all. Brisbane Livewell’s natural healthcare practitioners develop customised recovery plans for each client.