Natural complements and alternatives to HRT — acupuncture, herbal medicine and naturopathy for hot flushes, sleep, mood, vaginal health and long-term vitality.
Book a Menopause Consult Women's HealthMenopause — the permanent cessation of menstruation — is technically a single moment in time, defined as 12 consecutive months without a period. But the experience that most women describe is perimenopause: the transitional phase that may begin ten or more years before menopause and during which oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone fluctuate erratically before declining.
Perimenopause typically begins in the early-to-mid forties, though it can start earlier. During this period, cycles may become irregular, longer or shorter, heavier or lighter. Hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, sleep disruption, brain fog, joint pain, low libido, vaginal dryness and anxiety can all emerge — often years before periods actually stop.
At Health Therapies Clinics in Lane Cove, we support women aged 40–60 and beyond through perimenopause and post-menopause with a multi-practitioner integrative approach. We work collaboratively with your GP and gynaecologist — whether you are choosing HRT, considering it, or prefer non-hormonal options. We serve women from Chatswood, Artarmon, Willoughby, North Sydney and across the North Shore.
Initial Consultation: $200 / 90 minutes
Follow-up: $175 / 60 minutes
Herbal/Telehealth: $95 / 30 minutes
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9am – 9pm
Location: Suite 1, Level 1, 141 Longueville Road, Lane Cove NSW 2066
Private Health: HICAPS — Medibank, BUPA, HCF, NIB, HBF, AHM
Book OnlineCycle changes begin. Progesterone often declines first. Heavy periods, mood changes, poor sleep.
Oestrogen fluctuates dramatically. Hot flushes begin. Cycles become irregular. Brain fog intensifies.
12 months without a period. Hormonal fluctuation stabilises at lower levels.
Adapting to the new hormonal baseline. Bone health, cardiovascular and cognitive health become priorities.
Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a nuanced and practical framework for understanding and treating menopause. The transition is primarily understood through the lens of the Kidney — which in TCM governs reproduction, hormonal regulation and the body's fundamental Yin (cooling, nourishing) and Yang (warming, activating) energies.
The most common menopause pattern: declining Yin means the body loses its cooling and moistening capacity. This produces the characteristic hot flushes (particularly in the afternoon and evening), night sweats, insomnia with racing thoughts, vaginal dryness, dry skin and hair, anxiety, restlessness and low back ache. Tongue is red with little or no coating; pulse is thin and rapid. Treatment nourishes Kidney Yin and clears Empty Heat with herbs such as Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan, and acupuncture at KD-3, SP-6, KD-6 and Yin Tang.
Some women in menopause experience a cold pattern — fatigue, cold intolerance, fluid retention, low mood, poor libido and weight gain. This reflects Kidney Yang (warming) deficiency and is treated with warming herbs such as You Gui Wan and acupuncture at CV-4, ST-36 and GV-4. Many women have a mixed Yin-Yang deficiency pattern requiring a carefully balanced approach — herbal formulas are individualised at each consultation.
Research published in the British Medical Journal (2019) found that acupuncture significantly reduced hot flush frequency and severity in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Our practitioners tailor acupuncture protocols to your specific symptom pattern — using points such as SP-6, KD-3, KD-7, HT-6 and Yin Tang for Yin deficiency patterns, with heat-clearing points added for intense flushes. Sessions are typically weekly initially, reducing to fortnightly or monthly as symptoms improve.
Individually compounded Chinese herbal formulas are among the most effective tools in our menopause support kit. Classical formulas such as Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan, Er Xian Tang and Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan are modified for each patient's specific presentation. Unlike blanket hormone replacement, herbal medicine adapts to the complexity and variability of the perimenopausal transition — addressing multiple symptoms simultaneously with a constitution-specific approach.
The adrenal glands take over a significant proportion of oestrogen production after menopause. Supporting adrenal function — through adaptogenic herbs (ashwagandha, rhodiola, licorice), stress management, nutritional support and appropriate lifestyle guidance — is a central component of our naturopathic protocol. Phytoestrogens, black cohosh, sage and red clover are evaluated for each patient individually based on their safety profile and symptom pattern.
Yes. Acupuncture, herbal medicine and naturopathy can be used safely alongside HRT in most cases. Many women find that integrative therapies allow them to use a lower HRT dose, or help address symptoms that HRT does not fully resolve — such as mood, sleep and joint pain. Please disclose all medications and hormonal preparations at your consultation so herb-drug interactions can be assessed.
Most women notice a meaningful reduction in flush frequency and intensity within four to eight weekly sessions. Some notice significant improvement after two to three treatments. For sustained relief, a course of eight to twelve sessions over three months is recommended, followed by monthly maintenance. Results vary considerably between individuals.
Chinese herbal medicine prescribed by a qualified practitioner is generally safe and well tolerated. Certain herbs require caution in women with a history of oestrogen-sensitive cancers, liver disease or specific drug interactions. Your practitioner will take a detailed history and select herbs that are appropriate for your specific situation. We do not prescribe high-dose isolated phytoestrogens without appropriate assessment.
Yes. Perimenopause can begin years before cycle changes become irregular. Symptoms such as worsening PMS, mood changes, sleep disruption, increased anxiety or brain fog in the premenstrual week can all indicate early perimenopausal hormonal fluctuation — even with apparently regular cycles. Earlier intervention tends to produce better long-term outcomes.
Integrative menopause support at Health Therapies Clinics, Lane Cove. For women on the North Shore aged 40 and beyond. Open seven days, 9am–9pm.
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