Acupuncture for Perimenopausal Symptoms
Perimenopause is a pivotal life stage which can begin from the late 30s, that can give rise to hormone-related issues that may be challenging. I’m here to help you with acupuncture and advice to support you through your perimenopause and can help you if you’re living with:
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Anxiety
- Low mood
- Low libido
- Migraines
- Low energy levels
Here's how it works
Initial 15-minute consultation – free of charge
If you would like to find out more about acupuncture or working with me, please book a 15-minute consultation by phone, Zoom or in the clinic. In this appointment, we will briefly discuss how I can help you, and you’ll be able to ask questions about me, my process and the benefits of working with me.
Most people attending this 15-minute consultation go on to work with me. In this case, the next stage is an in-person meeting or Zoom call.
In-depth consultation
During this 90 minute appointment at one of my clinics in Bristol, we’ll cover your medical history, your menstrual cycle (current and/or past) and other areas of your health, so I can build a complete picture of your health.
I will discuss the changes I recommend making to improve your health and will go through any testing that I think would be useful. If you have sent any relevant blood tests or scan reports in advance of this first meeting, we can also go through any areas where your results are sub-optimal.
If you would like to receive an acupuncture treatment during this session – or you know you have a significant amount of history to discuss - please let me know beforehand so we can make sure we book a 2-hour session and you have time for your acupuncture.
Your treatment begins – Acupuncture appointments last up to 50 minutes
Acupuncture encourages hormone balance and can help to alleviate perimenopausal symptoms. The next stage of your treatment will be a weekly appointment with acupuncture.
Investment for In-Depth Consultation and approximately weekly acupuncture appointments delivered over 3 months: £550 per calendar month for 3 months or £1,500 payment in full.
The acupuncture itself is relaxing and a time when I would really switch off and rest, which was something I really needed.
Just a big thank you for all your help and guidance as I truly believe this wouldn’t have happened for us so quickly without your help.
Anon, Bristol
You made me feel so much calmer and reassured us that I likely had more time than I was originally told. I started to feel in control of the whole process, whereas I was previously feeling a bit helpless.
You go through so many different aspects of health and lifestyle that I wouldn’t even think could affect fertility, and help to fix small problems that together make a big difference. You were also there to listen at times when I felt overwhelmed and upset and so I didn’t feel stupid for bursting into tears every now and then! If i had any questions or worries I knew that I had my session with you coming up and would get answers and hopefully reassurance which was really comforting. (continued ->)
Anon, Bristol
We knew we wanted to start trying to get pregnant in the next few months, but after being told I had low AMH and would likely go into menopause early, I was completely stressed about our chances of falling pregnant and felt the pressure of time being against us.
We got in contact with you because we wanted to make sure we were in the best possible health to fall pregnant as quickly as possible once we had started trying. (continued->)
Anon, Bristol
I’d had several failed rounds of fertility treatment and several pregnancy losses. I felt deflated, frustrated, confused and very unsure about where to turn. After a really successful round of IVF in April 2023 having started acupuncture with Valerie in August 2022, obtaining four top quality embryos. The third embryo transfer worked and I am now 17 weeks pregnant.
I genuinely believe I would not have made it here without Valerie’s expert support and advice. The fertility journey was long and very hard, but I feel positive about it, as it led me to my rainbow baby.
Just a huge thank you!
Lucy, Wales
We started trying for a baby in 2020 and couldn’t believe that I got pregnant straight away, however, I sadly miscarried a few weeks later. Following that, we’d been trying for around 8 months before I came to see Valerie. I was feeling quite obsessive and lonely with the whole process.
It’s been a long journey since then but I’m now 17 weeks pregnant following our second IVF transfer and we are so excited. I feel relieved, thankful and am enjoying each milestone of pregnancy.
Valerie has supported us with advice and regular acupuncture sessions. These sessions quite quickly lengthened my luteal phase and I found them very relaxing. I also noticed improvements in my energy. I think the most valuable thing over the past 2+ years has been having an ally to navigate the fertility system with, which can feel so overwhelming.
She has advised us on what to push for or do ourselves, from tests with our GP, referrals for additional tests that are not covered by the NHS, IVF and supporting my husband with his varicocele removal. Our funds are limited, and she really helped us to prioritise and persevere through the NHS system.
She’s helped me to feel in control and like we were doing all we can at each stage, despite it being a long process.
Thank you Valerie!
Jess, Bristol
I first approached Valerie after becoming concerned about my short cycle lengths and how it could be impacting our attempts to conceive.
Following an in-depth consultation, Valerie provided insightful advice on my diet, supplements, lifestyle plus some handy tips and tricks. No question was too silly.
After working hard to make some big changes alongside weekly acupuncture sessions, my cycles adjusted and I’m pleased so say I’m now 16 weeks pregnant. Like many women, getting to this point has not been straight forward for me and the amount of information out there is overwhelming.
I decided to build a team of support and I have found working with experts like Valerie to be invaluable. I’m very grateful to her and would recommend her services to anyone who needs help navigating their way through the fog.
Freya, Bristol
Back in December, before working with Valerie I was feeling a bit lost and quite low in energy. I definitely recognized that I didn’t physically feel in a great place. Now, I feel more confident and could not be happier with the outcome we have had post treatment. Acupuncture has really been a game changer for us as we have achieved a pregnancy and are now in our second trimester. The most helpful part has been knowing that we are working with an expert in the world of fertility which can be a bit of a rabbit hole. It has been really helpful to have a plan and be guided through the process. We cannot thank you enough for getting us to this stage and we are so grateful for all your help.
Adam, Bristol
Sam, Bristol
When I started seeing Valerie 5 months ago, I was at the start of my second IVF cycle and felt out of options. I felt unsure of my next steps and how to navigate the fertility process. We spent 3 months preparing for pregnancy and I am now 3 months pregnant and feel positive about the next few months. I now realise the importance of putting me first and making time for me. I have found that having regular acupuncture forces me to stop and gives me time to focus on what is most important.
Kiana, Bristol
“My husband and I first started seeing Valerie in November 2020. We had been trying to conceive through IVF (ICSI) since 2016 and had suffered four miscarriages, as well as two unsuccessful embryo transfers. By October 2020, we had no more frozen embryos and no explanations of the causes of the miscarriages, so we decided to do some research ourselves and contacted Valerie. As well as the acupuncture, Valerie gave us a wealth of other information and advice. After our first appointment, she gave us a comprehensive report with all the tests she recommended we have and where and how to do them, specific dietary and supplement suggestions and other lifestyle changes to make. She referred us to a fertility nutritionist who was also incredibly helpful, and she gave us a huge amount of emotional support in addition.
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Amy, Bristol
It was fantastic to have another avenue to go down and so many changes we could make to try and improve things for us. We saw different consultants recommended by Valerie, which proved very insightful and successful, and we have made huge changes to our diet and lifestyle as well as seeing Valerie for acupuncture every week. She opened our eyes to looking into angles that other fertility specialists had not mentioned to us before (for example, exploring DNA fragmentation) and led to my husband having treatments to improve sperm health that we would not have previously considered.
I am pleased to say we are now 13 weeks pregnant, and I would recommend her wholeheartedly to anyone trying to conceive.”
Amy, Bristol
“I came to Valerie for help with heavy and painful periods. I found the initial consultation really helpful, with lots of advice sent to me in a report that I could look back over to remember what I needed to do. After just a few sessions, my next period was noticeably lighter, and I needed fewer painkillers. My next period was again much easier to manage with just a couple of paracetamols needed for mild pain. Everything seems to be going in the right direction, so I would definitely recommend Valerie if you needed help with your periods.”
Jo, Bristol
“I suffered from morning sickness. None of the usual stuff worked, but it was definitely better after my sessions”
J.P. Bristol
“You’ve been great and have helped me loads.
Will be recommending you to my friends. Thank you again.”
M.W. Bristol
“I have really enjoyed first session and was very impressed.
Even just talking to you made me very comfortable and I look forward to another session.”
A.P. Bristol
“I feel good, thanks. I’ve slept a lot since – I was awake in the night but not for long and slept in quite late today.
I feel refreshed, and my head feels clearer than it has for a few weeks.”
D.G. Bristol
”Thank you so much for my treatment and for squeezing me in today!
I feel a lot more relaxed, and my nose isn’t as runny, which is great!”
G.M. Bristol
“Despite the pandemic, I have never once had the slightest concern of being at any risk. Valerie takes safety very seriously.
Her professional appearance and the way she conducts herself means I would definitely recommend her.”
G.S. Bristol
“Highly recommend Valerie, currently having acupuncture with her for hormone imbalance and already – within a short space of time – am seeing a big shift in my health.
My only wish is that I had done this sooner and not suffered so long.
Thanks, Valerie; see you next week!”
M.S. Bristol
“I have been very happy with the treatment you provide, and you have a calm and relaxing way. I really appreciated your advice about the supplements to take, and I feel the acupuncture sessions helped me feel prepared for the embryo transfer. It was so helpful on the day of the transfer to have the sessions before and after, especially after the stressful time at the clinic, it helped so much to come back and have an hour to get totally relaxed again.”
A.W. Bristol
“I contacted Valerie when I was a few months into my journey to conceiving, having had a miscarriage six months previously. I really appreciate the thorough consultation Valerie did with me and my partner and her friendly, practical/ realistic and non-judgemental approach. I then started having weekly acupuncture sessions with Valerie and found out I was pregnant within the first month of these sessions. It was incredibly reassuring having Valerie as support through this time. From the simple aspect of having someone to check in with each week in relation to what I was feeling and experiencing and to give advice on diet and symptoms such as nausea; to the more therapeutic aspect of receiving acupuncture treatment helping to maintain/balance my energy, alleviate fatigue/ nausea and general aches and pains. During this time, I also had Covid and a cold and felt immediate improvements to reduced breath capacity/ blocked sinuses after acupuncture treatment with Valerie.”
Helen, Bristol
“After several years of worsening menstrual migraines, I came to Valerie to try to find an alternative to my migraine medication which often made me drowsy and lethargic and was ineffective if I left it too late. I was starting to miss days of work every month and my migraine attacks were increasingly severe. After several weeks of acupuncture treatment, I have experienced my first migraine-free months in years without the need for medication. This has been transformational for me and my quality of life.
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K.B. Bristol
Valerie has been superb throughout. As someone new to acupuncture and TCM she made me feel immediately comfortable, and her careful, thorough approach means she is able to use treatment to help me in a holistic way, for example, supporting my recovery from Covid post-viral exhaustion as well as treating my migraines.
Her advice is always comprehensive and detailed, including clearly explained recommended supplements and an opportunity to reflect on lifestyle issues that may be impacting wellbeing and any areas to prioritise, but always in a non-judgemental way.
I would highly recommend Valerie. Her expertise combined with her compassionate, holistic approach makes her a gifted practitioner, and the results of her treatment have been fantastic.”
K.B. Bristol
“I first went to Valerie after my frozen embryo transfer was cancelled due to my uterine lining not being thick enough. The fertility clinic didn’t give any further advice on how to improve the situation for the next cycle, so I was looking for some outside help.
Valerie was really helpful and asked a lot of questions at our first appointment to really understand my situation and general health. She recommended a couple of supplements and gave some advice about diet as well as the weekly acupuncture. The acupuncture helped me to relax. Especially with a new job which was stressful, it was important to take some time out.
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Alison W, South Glos
“I’m now 21 weeks pregnant and so happy to get success with our first embryo transfer, as it had already been a long journey to get to that point. I would recommend acupuncture with Valerie to anyone going through fertility struggles to get the mind and body as ready as you can whether trying naturally or with fertility treatments.
After a couple of months, I was ready for the transfer, and the nurse said my uterine lining looked top quality. Valerie went out of her way to provide acupuncture before and after the transfer, which was midday on a Sunday. It gave me a lot of reassurance and was really helpful to help me relax after the stress of the transfer, as well as having someone knowledgeable to talk to.”
Alison W, South Glos
Further investigations and treatment
Depending on your situation, you may need blood tests, scans and further investigations from medical professionals. I may also recommend supplements. I will discuss the benefits of these and relevant costs with you before booking anything or referring you anywhere.
Payment information
I ask all clients to pay online in advance of appointments. Please let me know if you would like to discuss payment by instalment. Options are available to pay weekly, monthly or in full up front, just let me know what works for you.
Cancellation Policy
I ask for a week’s notice to cancel booked session. If you cancel a session with less than a week’s notice and we can’t find another mutually convenient alternative time that week, you will be required to pay for the missed session.
4 month plan:
The 4 month plan includes 14 appointments, to allow for both you and I to take holiday. If we are not able to fit in 14 appointments, I will offer you an extra appointment in one of the weeks to maintain the treatment regularity. Sometimes I arrange cover with another acupuncturist if I am away and unable to fit all of your appointments into the 4 months but we can discuss that if it comes up during your package. If you need more than 14 appointments, we can discuss that, there is no additional charge.
If you need to rearrange your appointment, I need 7 days notice and I will try to find a mutually convenient alternative.