Acupuncture for Hot Flushes & Night Sweats

What the research shows - and why more women are choosing acupuncture for menopause.

If you're waking at 3am drenched in sweat, counting down until the next hot flush passes in a meeting, or simply exhausted by symptoms that nobody warned you would be this disruptive - you're not alone, and you don't have to just put up with it.

Acupuncture is one of the most well-researched complementary options for menopausal symptoms, and the evidence is genuinely encouraging.

Here's what the research shows.

What the research tells us

Hot flushes and night sweats

Multiple clinical trials and systematic reviews have found acupuncture significantly reduces both the frequency and severity of hot flushes. A 2021 systematic review of 23 randomised controlled trials - involving over 2,300 women - found meaningful improvements in vasomotor symptoms and quality of life (Jo et al., 2021). Importantly, a large pragmatic trial found these improvements were still present at six-month follow-up, suggesting the benefits last well beyond the treatment period itself (Avis et al., 2016).

Sleep, mood, and quality of life

Many women find that the improvements go well beyond hot flushes. A 2024 meta-analysis of 28 randomised controlled trials found acupuncture significantly improved sleep quality, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency in menopausal women (Eskandari et al., 2025). Separate reviews consistently show benefit for mood, anxiety, and overall quality of life - which makes sense, because when you're sleeping better and the night sweats have eased, everything else tends to follow.

Safety

Across all reviewed studies, acupuncture has an excellent safety profile. Serious adverse events are rare. For women seeking a natural option - whether alongside hormone therapy or as a standalone approach - this is a meaningful advantage.

Who is acupuncture particularly suited to?

Acupuncture is a strong option for women who prefer a non-hormonal approach, women who cannot use MHT due to contraindications such as a history of oestrogen-sensitive cancers, and women who want to complement their existing medical care with additional support.

It's also worth knowing that in Chinese medicine, treatment is always tailored to the individual. Two women with identical hot flush patterns may have quite different underlying presentations - which means your treatment is designed specifically for you, not a generic protocol.

What to expect

Most women notice changes within three to four sessions, with a typical course of six to eight weekly treatments for menopausal symptoms. Your initial appointment is 75 minutes and includes a thorough health assessment alongside your first treatment - so you leave already having begun.

Ready to see what acupuncture could do for you?

Susan practises from Banora Physical Therapies, Terranora, and works with women across the Northern Rivers -

Gold Coast region. Book your initial 75-minute consultation via the link above - or get in touch with any questions. 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please speak with your GP or treating practitioner about what is appropriate for your individual circumstances.

References

Avis NE et al. (2016). Acupuncture in Menopause (AIM) study: a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial. Menopause, 23(6), 626–637.

Dodin S et al. (2013). Acupuncture for menopausal hot flushes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD007410.

Eskandari L et al. (2025). The effect of acupuncture and acupressure on sleep quality in menopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Iran J Med Sci, 50(3), 132–145.

Jo J et al. (2021). Acupuncture for menopausal hot flushes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BJOG, 128(9), 1598–1610.