Menopause is a hormonal transition, and what helps with its symptoms is first and foremost knowledge, lifestyle and, when needed, treatment through healthcare. Cupping does not change the hormones, but it can be a simple daily routine for what you feel in the body: tension and stress, poor sleep, swelling and fluid, stiff joints and muscles, tired feet and changing skin. Here we go through, symptom by symptom, what cupping can contribute, how to do it, and when to talk to your doctor.
Talk to healthcare about treatment
Hot flushes, sweats, sleep disturbance, low mood, dry mucous membranes and joint pain are common and treatable. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is a safe and effective option for many, and there are other medicines and interventions. Contact your doctor, gynaecologist or a menopause clinic if symptoms affect your daily life. Self-care such as cupping is a complement, not an alternative to that assessment. Seek care for bleeding after periods have stopped, breast changes, chest pain or sudden shortness of breath.
Stress and anxiety: the most important place to start
When hormones fluctuate, stress tolerance drops, and stress in turn worsens flushes and sleep. Slow, static cupping in the evening is a way of signalling calm to the nervous system. Place static cups below the collarbones or on the lower ribcage and breathe towards the cups for five minutes, see the breathwork programme. Curam Recovery® Meditation combines meditation, breathing and static cupping in a quarter of an hour.
Sleep
A fixed evening routine helps: cool bedroom, no caffeine after lunch, screen-free last hour. Add ten minutes of cupping: static cups on the shoulders while you read, then light dynamic strokes on the calves with oil if the legs are restless. Finish with the body scan.
Swelling and fluid
Many notice more fluid in legs, hands and face. Dynamic lymphatic massage with the Dynamic Cup, in light strokes towards the groin and back of the knee, and the face cup on the face finishing towards the collarbones, supports lymphatic flow. Step by step in Lymphatic massage at home and the oedema programme. With sudden one-sided swelling, seek care.
Stiff joints, neck and back
Oestrogen affects connective tissue and joints, and many experience new stiffness in hands, shoulders, hips and knees. Cupping works on the connective tissue around the joints, not on the joint itself: dynamic strokes on the muscles around shoulders, hips and knees, static cups on tight points. Guides: Stiff neck and tight shoulders, Lower back pain, Fascia massage. Combine with strength training, which is the most important intervention for muscles, bones and joints in this phase.
Feet and plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis, pain under the heel with the first steps in the morning, becomes more common in menopause, probably because connective tissue becomes less elastic. Calf strength, stretching and cupping of calf and sole help, see Plantar fasciitis and tired feet.
The skin
Collagen decreases rapidly in the first years after menopause; the skin becomes thinner, drier and loses glow. Face cupping three times a week increases circulation in the skin, reduces puffiness and softens jaw and forehead, and the oil nourishes. It does not restore collagen but makes a difference for glow and tension. Guide: Face cupping: how to do it, and on expectations: Facial cupping before and after. Use light suction; thinner skin marks more easily.
A weekly routine
- Every evening: 5 minutes of static cupping and breathing.
- Three times a week: face cupping (5–10 min).
- Two to three times a week: dynamic cupping of the legs and lymphatic massage (10 min), ideally after a shower.
- As needed: static cups on shoulders, hips or feet while you do other things.
- Everything you need is in Complete Kit; the menopause programme links to all sub-programmes.
When to be careful
Thinner skin and easier bruising: use lighter suction and shorter time. With hormone therapy there are no particular obstacles, but with blood thinners, varicose veins, osteoporosis with fracture risk or cardiovascular disease, consult your doctor first. Do not cup with fever, infection or on damaged skin.
Frequently asked questions
Does cupping help with hot flushes?
There is no evidence for it. Flushes are treated most effectively through healthcare. Cupping can, however, help with stress and sleep, which often worsen the flushes.
Can I cup if I take hormone therapy?
Yes, hormone therapy is no obstacle. If you also take blood thinners, consult your doctor first.
Why do I mark more easily now?
The skin becomes thinner and the vessels more fragile as oestrogen falls. Use lighter suction, shorter time and keep the cup moving.
Which programme should I start with?
The evening routine with static cupping and breathing. It affects stress and sleep, which are the keys to most of the rest.
Written by Curam. Last updated 16 October 2026. This is general self-care information and does not replace medical care. For sudden, severe or unusual symptoms, contact your doctor. Talk to your doctor before cupping if you are pregnant, take blood thinners or have a condition affecting skin, blood vessels or blood.
