The Effect of Cold Packs on Hot Flushes and Depression in Women Going Through the Climacteric Period

This study is planned as a pre-post test, randomised controlled, experimental trial designed to determine the effect of applying a cold gel pack to the Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Hegu (Large Intestinal 4 (LI4)) acupoints on hot flushes and depression in women during the climacteric period.

Inclusion Criteria: * In the perimenopausal phase (no menstruation for 3-11 months or an increase in irregular menstrual bleeding) or the postmenopausal phase (no menstruation for more than 12 months), * Participants experiencing moderate to severe hot flushes at least four times a day in the week prior to enrolment, * Participants who are literate in Turkish and able to communicate, * Participants who volunteer to take part in the study will be included in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Women who have entered menopause following surgery, * Women whose hot flush symptoms have decreased or ceased in the week prior to joining the study, * Those receiving hormone replacement therapy, * Those who had received herbal medication (such as black cohosh, black cohosh, ginkgo, ginseng, motherwort, valerian, black snake root, St. John's wort, etc.) or chemical medication for at least two weeks prior to joining the study, * Women with endocrine system disorders such as diabetes or a condition presenting symptoms similar to hot flushes, * Women with a regular menstrual cycle, * Women with a psychiatric diagnosis who are currently receiving treatment, * Women taking sleeping pills, * Women with a language barrier preventing communication in Turkish, * Women who are not willing to participate in the study will not be included in the research.