Acupuncture for Hot Flushes and Night Sweats

Hello I hope you don't mind me asking what the sessions at Maggie's involved as I'm due to start this week for 6 sessions. Many Rebecca x

Hi MummyBear80, yes of course, I found the ear acupuncture really helpful. Are you at the Maggie’s in Addenbrookes?
We sat in comfy chairs, with footstools if we wanted them. After introductions, the acupuncturist went round each of us in turn, putting the needles in our ears. She’d say when each needle was going in but I don’t remember feeling it at all. Once we were all done (4 max per session), she put a mindfulness CD on and we’d close our eyes. When it finished, she’d come round taking the needles out again and we’d have a chat about how we felt (or not, no pressure to talk any more or less than each person wanted). 
I found it very calming and relaxing, and definitely found that it helped with my hot flushes and anxiety. The acupuncturist was lovely, very calm, thoughtful and kind. It felt like such a ‘safe space’, I really wish I’d found Maggie’s earlier. 
After the 6 weeks, I signed up for mindfulness classes. They started several weeks after and were on zoom as lockdown had begun by then. Can’t believe it’s so long ago! 
Hope you find it as lovely as I did. I don’t know if my wittering has answered your questions, please do ask again if there’s anything else you’d like to know. Love and hugs, HFxx

Hi MummyBear80, I had my 1st acupuncture last week, which was private rather than Maggie's. I have had acupuncture before, but mostly on my back. This was on my tummy, head and lower legs and feet. She said it takes 4-6 sessions to notice a difference so I wasn't expecting much but my night sweats did decrease for a few nights and then last night they were quite bad again. The acupuncture stimulates your nerves so I think this might be things trying to sort themselves out. I was really encouraged when I had a few good nights - not gone but much better. And I don't think it was a placebo as it had no effect at all the first night and I wasn't expecting any change at all.

I'm hopeful this is going to help me. I was told that some people only need around 6 sessions and then they don't need anything else, but other people may need top ups every month or so. She thought that being in a medical menopause might make it more likely that top ups would be needed - but worth it to not have the flushes day and night!