Our Research

Alongside years of in-clinic observation with hundreds of women as to the efficacy of Menopoised products, we conducted a small trial to research the impact of our product in 2019.

Our trial found that over 80% of participants experienced a reduction in the intensity and frequency of their hot flushes and night sweats within a week of using the Menopoised Menopause Magnet.

The results were analysed by Sussex Innovation Centre, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Sussex. Data was collected by Menopoised.

The trial and results are outlined below.

1.       Research Aim

To test the effectiveness of placing a magnet on an acupuncture point, Dazhui, directly below C7 to reduce hot flushes and/or night sweats in peri/menopausal women.

2.       Background

About the acupuncture point Dazhui The acupuncture point Dazhui, more commonly known as DU14 or GV14, was chosen because of it’s importance as a point for clearing heat in the body. It has been used for this purpose for thousands of years.

About hot flushes Research suggests that 75% of women suffer the of effects hot flushes and night sweats during menopause an experience which can continue for 10 years at least. One in four women find the effects of menopause so difficult that they think about leaving their jobs, one in 10 do.

Different causes of menopause All women will experience menopause. For many, its onset is gradual, as hormones change and decline. For some who are medically or surgically induced into menopause, possibly due to cancer treatment or a hysterectomy, the menopause hits hard and fast.

Why use Chinese medicine? Many women seek natural support during what is, after all, a normal life occurrence. Some women have no choice but to pursue non-medical solutions due to their medical history. Every woman will go through the menopause and every woman’s experience is unique. Chinese medicine offers them a side-effect free option to help them through.

Why use a magnet? Magnetism is all around us, it’s in the earth and in our bodies. The magnetic field that magnets exert is believed to constantly stimulate the area on which it’s placed. When used on an acupuncture point for clearing heat, it’s believed to continually stimulate this function – as a proxy for an acupuncture needle.

3. Methodology

Participants were recruited via clinic patients or via recommendations of patients. They also volunteered in response to a mention on Facebook by a blogger with 144k followers. The mention was at the bottom of a very long factual post, asking for triallists. There were no financial incentives.

Participants were peri, menopausal and post-menopausal women. They were included regardless of the cause of the menopause – natural, early onset or medically induced.

The research was conducted as ‘proof of concept’. That a magnet placed at a specific point on the body would work in the same way as an acupuncture needle in reducing hot flushes.

Participants were emailed an outline of what the product was, who was conducting the research, why and what would be done with the data. They were each sent 2 magnets on plasters via the post.

Research was carried out via email and online questionnaires between May and September 2019.

Research design

The research questionnaire was created using the Mymop system (Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile, a problem specific, patient-completed, outcome questionnaire). It was created using software tool Wufoo and emailed to them via Mailchimp.

Participants were asked to complete an initial questionnaire, before they started using the magnet to establish a baseline of their issues. They then received an automated email with follow up questionnaire up one week later.

They were asked to indicate on a scale of 0 to 5 how their issues had changed. A reduction in the impact of their issue was scored as and improvement.

4. Results

Completed initial & follow up questionnaire* 32

Hot flushes and/or night sweats improved 27 84.4%

*Participants who indicated hot flushes and night sweats as their main issue.

The number of women who completed an initial and follow up questionnaire was 32. A total of 84.4% of these women reported benefitting, in terms of frequency &/or intensity of their menopausal heat when using the magnet.

Anecdotal feedback suggests that the magnet starts to work within 24 hours of it being placed on the skin, usually results are immediate.

5. Conclusion

Over 80% of women experienced a reduction in symptoms within the first week of using the magnet. Whilst the number of participants was small the results are very encouraging.

Notes

About the results

The trial was conducted using the MYMOP, Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile, qualitative research system. MYMOP is a patient-generated outcome questionnaire. Trialists were asked to report the symptoms on a weekly basis. Data was collected by Menopoised.

The research results were analysed by Sussex Innovation Centre, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Sussex.

About the author

Jo Darling is a licensed Acupuncturist and member of the British Acupuncture Council. She has been in practice for almost 10 years. She has always had a keen interest in women’s health and set up her own natural health clinic in Hove to support women at all stages of their life. She has a wealth of experience treating cancer patients and is the Acupuncture Consultant at the Spire Hospital in Hove, where she supports patients going through cancer treatment and beyond. She is passionate about supporting patients both in clinic and beyond which has led her to create the Menopoised Menopause Magnet to give women choice to have a positive menopause, naturally.