Most women spend one third to one half of their lives in post-menopause. From the point of view of Western medicine menopause is defined as an estrogen deficiency-suggesting disease-with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) as the standard treatment.

On July 9th 2002 an announcement was made that research into the effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy (combinations of Estrogen and Progestin) being carried out by the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) would be halted. The findings were reported as follows:

In this large-scale controlled clinical trial, 16,000 menopausal women aged 50-79 received HRT or placebo. After 5.2 years the trial was halted because researchers found that the therapy risks outweighed its benefits. Compared with the placebo users, the HRT group experienced more strokes, heart attacks, blood clots, and increased risk of invasive breast cancer.

A quote from the co-principal investigator at the University of Florida, Jacksonville, concluded:

"In closing, I see this new information from WHI as an opportunity for us to sit down with our patients to reevaluate their health issues related to menopause and come up with an individualized management plan."

According to Chinese medicine, menopause is a necessary and natural mechanism and is termed a woman's "Second Spring." As blood is no longer sent to the uterus each month it is now free to flow to the heart and to nourish the Spirit (Shen). Women can perhaps pursue at this time more spiritual aspects of life. Menopause provides women with the opportunity for life beyond biological utility an opportunity to enjoy the burgeoning of creative self-expression as wise women, sages and healers.

HRT and Chinese Medicine treatment work in very different ways. HRT works by "tricking" the body into thinking that it is still ovulating but it neglects the repercussions of these dramatic manipulations. According to Traditional Chinese Medical theory, HRT places an undue burden on the Kidney Qi, causing an imbalance that keeps the body from a healthy blood and energy flow. As an alternative to HRT Chinese medicine suggests gently Tonifiying Kidney's Essence, Yin and Yang and using the "directing" and "penetrating" meridians to nourish blood and ease this transitional time of life. This is achieved by Acupuncture, herbal formulas, nutrition recommendations and life-style changes.
Taking all the potential risks of HRT into account, it seems that Chinese medicine, using a gentle and steady tonifying process without side effects, can offer a safe and effective alternative to HRT.