Can the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Or Tapping Help Menopause Symptoms?

Emotional Freedom: How to make menopause positive

Since you’re reframing negative thoughts, turn the “bothersome” symptoms into an empowering moment.

At the very least, EFT or tapping can help with the stress of menopause, as it’s shown to lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone).

Remember, menopause is a natural stage of life. You can help control your symptoms with healthy lifestyle choices and techniques like tapping.

You may also gain emotional freedom from misconceptions, thoughts, and anxiety about menopause or midlife that may be holding you back from living your best life.

What’s on your mind that’s weighing you down? You may uncover things you weren’t aware of and begin to let them go.

Does EFT work? [Studies]

Craig says EFT works 70-80% of the time to relieve symptoms related to menopause, stress, or everyday life.

It’s an evidence-based self-help therapeutic method, and there are over 100 studies demonstrating its efficacy for veterans, college students, pain patients, overweight individuals, hospital patients, athletes, healthcare workers, gifted students, chemotherapy patients, and individuals who suffer from phobias.

Like everything, some techniques and even some medications work better for some people and not others.

An assessment of the technique found that it’s likely not the tapping of the meridian that improves one’s well-being but the technique’s other components, including desensitization and distraction. However, some experts question the effectiveness of tapping.

The risks of tapping are minimal, it’s cost-effective, quick and noninvasive.

If you have concerns, the one downside is the potential for delayed treatment.

Tapping can be helpful in alleviating symptoms, but it’s likely not the only approach you’ll use during the menopause journey. Connecting with your healthcare provider is important, especially if you have not been timely with annual check-ups, preventive care, and a review to assess if there is more that can be done from a lifestyle perspective to improve your overall health and well-being, not just your menopause symptoms.

Study: Reduction in stress

Nurses at a university hospital in Turkey had success during COVID-19 using tapping. A randomized controlled trial found improved stress, anxiety, and burnout after one online group EFT session lasting just 20 minutes.

In ameta-analysis of 20 studies, tapping was also shown to reduce depressive symptoms effectively. The benefits were achieved in short timeframes, usually 1 to 10 sessions.

Try this tapping exercise for stress.

Tapping for PTSD and depression

Depression is a menopause symptom women+ often struggle with during their journey, especially if there is a prior history or you are in the midst of a depressive episode at the same time as the menopause journey. If this is your experience, you may try EFT to help with the depression.

Depression scores decreased for post-menopausal women in a small study (88 women) with mild to moderate depression. They saw results quickly, in just 8 weeks. The study was done at a menopause clinic in Ahvaz, Iran.

Another study of 203 participants found decreased pain, cravings, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Participants also saw improved happiness and immune system function and a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol.

The participants, primarily women (65%) over 50, saw these overall health benefits with a training workshop over a few days.

EFT is considered a first-line-of-defense treatment option for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When combined with acupressure and elements of cognitive and exposure therapies, EFT treatment effects have been shown to sometimes exceed those of psychopharmacology and conventional psychotherapy. However, it’s critically important to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if you actually have the condition, if the technique is a fit for you, and if you may need more or something different than EFT for your particular situation.

Results are achieved relatively quickly in just four to ten sessions, and comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression also typically improve with tapping for PTSD.

You can try this tapping exercise for sadness.

You can do tapping at home or seek the help of a licensed psychotherapist, health care professional, or qualified life coach.

There are associations, training institutes, and there are even apps to help you put tapping into practice, including one focused on the needs of women of color.

Talk to your doctor about your menopause symptoms, and be open to various modalities to manage your symptoms and journey. EFT is just one of the dozens of non-hormonal options to manage menopause symptoms. If you’re feeling stressed, try these self-care strategies. For anxiety, try one of these treatment options.