Last checked September 2026 against 7 sources · Editorial policy
Acupuncture for menopause
Acupuncture reduces hot flashes compared with no treatment, but not compared with sham acupuncture, which suggests the effect is largely nonspecific. In a 2016 Australian trial of 327 women, real and sham acupuncture gave almost identical hot flash scores after 8 weeks. It's less effective than HRT, and the North American Menopause Society doesn't recommend it for hot flashes. It's generally safe with sterile needles and an experienced practitioner.
Acupuncture beats no treatment but not sham needling for hot flashes; a 327-woman trial found no difference. How it compares with HRT, safety, and insurance coverage.
Acupuncture for menopause: expectation vs reality
What people often expect
“Acupuncture rebalances my hormones and stops hot flashes”
What the evidence shows
When acupuncture is compared with fake needling, the difference in hot flashes disappears. NCCIH says benefits seen against no treatment may come from the patient's belief, the practitioner relationship and other nonspecific effects. That can still feel helpful, but it isn't a hormone effect.
Acupuncture and menopause: what studies show
Acupuncture vs sham for hot flashes
A Cochrane review of 8 trials with 414 women found no significant difference in hot flash frequency between acupuncture and sham acupuncture; hot flashes were slightly less severe, but with very low-quality evidence. When studies of women with breast cancer were excluded, there was no difference in frequency or severity.
The 2016 Australian trial
In a sham-controlled trial, 327 women with at least 7 moderate hot flashes a day had 10 treatments over 8 weeks of either Chinese medicine acupuncture or non-penetrating sham needles. Hot flash scores at the end were 15.36 with acupuncture and 15.04 with sham, a non-significant difference. No serious adverse events were reported.
Acupuncture vs no treatment
Compared with no treatment or a waiting list, traditional acupuncture reduced hot flash frequency and severity. NCCIH explains that in many studies, acupuncture's benefit is greater against no treatment than against sham, suggesting that nonspecific effects such as belief in the treatment contribute.
Acupuncture vs HRT
In 3 trials with 114 women, acupuncture was associated with significantly more frequent hot flashes than hormone therapy: about 3.18 more a day. NCCIH says acupuncture appears less effective than hormone therapy for hot flash frequency.
Learn more →Acupuncture for perimenopause
The Australian trial included women older than 40 in the late menopause transition or after menopause. There's no separate evidence that acupuncture works better in perimenopause. Other perimenopause symptoms, such as sleep and mood, have better-studied options including CBT.
Learn more →Is acupuncture safe?
Relatively few complications have been reported, NCCIH says. Problems have come from nonsterile needles and improper treatment, which can cause infections, punctured organs or nerve injury. The FDA requires acupuncture needles to be sterile and single-use, and most states license acupuncturists.
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
Some health insurance policies cover acupuncture, often only for certain conditions. The share of US acupuncturist visits with any insurance coverage rose from 41.1% in 2010–2011 to 50.2% in 2018–2019. Check your plan before booking a course of treatment.
Acupuncture for menopause by the numbers
From the studies on this page
of US acupuncturist visits had some insurance coverage in 2018–2019
50.2%
327
8
3.18
The Australian trial didn't include women with breast cancer or surgical menopause.
Acupuncture vs other menopause treatments
HRT
First stepThe most effective hot flash treatment; beat acupuncture in head-to-head trials.
Related guide →CBT and clinical hypnosis
Strong evidenceRecommended non-drug options for hot flashes by NAMS.
Related guide →Acupuncture
Limited evidenceBetter than no treatment but no better than sham; generally safe with sterile needles.
Yoga
Some evidenceImproves mood, sleep and several menopause symptoms, though not clearly hot flashes.
Related guide →
When to see a doctor instead of relying on acupuncture
Hot flashes affecting sleep or work
Ask about HRT or proven non-hormonal treatments.
More →Redness, swelling or fever after acupuncture
See a doctor; infection is a known complication of improper treatment.
Hot flashes after breast cancer treatment
Discuss options with your oncology team; results in breast cancer studies differed.
Acupuncture and menopause: questions women ask
Does acupuncture help menopause symptoms?
It helps compared with no treatment, but not compared with sham acupuncture, so much of the effect appears nonspecific.
Does acupuncture help hot flashes?
In the largest sham-controlled trial, 327 women had almost identical hot flash scores with real and sham acupuncture.
Is acupuncture good for perimenopause?
There's no specific evidence it works better in perimenopause. Trials in the late transition found no advantage over sham.
Is acupuncture better than HRT for hot flashes?
No. Trials found more frequent hot flashes with acupuncture than with hormone therapy.
Is acupuncture safe during menopause?
Generally yes, when an experienced practitioner uses sterile, single-use needles. Improper treatment can cause infections or injury.
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
Sometimes. Some US policies cover it, often only for certain conditions, so check your plan.
How many acupuncture sessions for hot flashes?
In the largest sham-controlled trial, women had 10 treatments over 8 weeks, and real acupuncture worked no better than sham needles.
Is electroacupuncture better for menopause hot flashes?
In one small trial, electroacupuncture was no better than relaxation for hot flash frequency or severity.
Do acupuncture practitioners need a license?
Most US states license acupuncturists, but requirements vary from state to state, and needles must be sterile and single-use.
Sources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Menopausal symptoms: in depth.
- Dodin S, Blanchet C, Marc I, et al. Acupuncture for menopausal hot flushes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;2013(7):CD007410.
- Ee C, Xue C, Chondros P, et al. Acupuncture for Menopausal Hot Flashes: A Randomized Trial. Ann Intern Med. 2016;164(3):146-54.
- The North American Menopause Society. The 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2023;30(6):573-590.
- NCCIH. Acupuncture: effectiveness and safety.
- Guthrie KA, Larson JC, Ensrud KE, et al. Effects of Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Interventions on Insomnia Symptoms and Self-reported Sleep Quality in Women With Hot Flashes: A Pooled Analysis of Individual Participant Data From Four MsFLASH Trials. Sleep. 2018;41(1):zsx190.
- Wang H, Liu Y, Kwok JYY, et al. The effectiveness of yoga on menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Int J Nurs Stud. 2025;161:104928.
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