Acupuncture? Estrogen gel patch?

I had to bring my daughter in to the on call doc for major bug bites on Sat (didnt know it was bug bites till then). He is an MD, but also specializes in acupunture and works with more "natural remedies".

This is my primary doctor's office (not my doc, but same office), so I asked him if he worked at all with HRT since not sure I really want to go back to the surgeon (who is also an OBGYN) for HRT since he doesn't seem very open about discussing things.

He told me he primarily works with the estrogen gel patch and has me adjust it by the way my symptoms are (NOT by blood tests) and then he would like to do acupunture on me at the first apt also to help me with these headaches that I have been having since the estrogen injection I got (on top of the patch) when I was having all the crying jags.

He stuck 5 of them in my ear to try and just help with some pain management until the apt this Thurs. Well, these "needles" in my ear are not working in my ear cause tonite I have taken 1 1/2 percocet and my head still hurts!!

Does anyone have any experience with either of these? Acupuncture or an estrogen gel patch that you adjust? I guess it is segmented so you can remove parts of it.

I am starting to get leary now, esp since what I have in my ear does not seem to be working so well!!

Appreciate any thoughts on this!! Oh, I am currently on the Vivelle-Dot patch right now. Thanks much!!

Margie,
I've been doing accupuncture for 8 years now. It's not necessarily for menopause symptoms, but I do get troublesome headaches. Accupuncture is not a one shot deal, it can take some time for things to improve.

When the doc put needles in your ear did he check for tender spots first? My doc will press certain areas and ask me where it hurts. She is usually spot on. Than again, I have been seeing her for so long that she knows my body well.

I haven't heard of a patch that is segmented. Interesting concept.