The concept of essence from Donguibogam can be explained with remarkable clarity through the lens of modern medicine. What was described as the body's life energy or spring is closely linked in modern science to sex hormones, neurotransmitters, and our overall vitality system.
Female sexual hypofunction, specifically decreased libido and dyspareunia, is not merely an emotional matter; it is a strong signal that complex chemical and physiological changes are occurring inside the body. First, the most influential factor is the alteration in sex hormones. Estrogen is an essential hormone that keeps the vaginal mucosa moist and elastic while maintaining smooth blood supply. What happens when ovarian hypofunction reduces estrogen secretion due to aging, stress, or overwork? The vaginal mucosa becomes dry, thin, and loses elasticity. This leads to dyspareunia or discomfort during intercourse, naturally causing decreased libido. Furthermore, hormones such as testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone, which are also vital for women, significantly impact libido and vitality, and they likewise decrease with age and stress.
This hormonal imbalance also affects neurotransmitters in the brain. Dopamine, which induces sexual arousal and pleasure; serotonin, which provides a sense of stability and happiness; and oxytocin, which fosters intimacy and bonding, are all essential for sexual function. When hormonal changes disrupt the balance of these neurotransmitters, inner peace fades, feelings of depression and anxiety increase, and libido drifts even further away.
Moreover, chronic stress, an ongoing affliction of modern life, exhausts the adrenal glands, which are the body's vital hormone factories. When the stress hormone cortisol is excessively secreted, the body prioritizes producing cortisol over sex hormones for survival. This is known as the pregnenolone steal phenomenon. Ultimately, sex hormones become deficient, initiating a vicious cycle that brings not only decreased libido, but also chronic fatigue and lethargy.
If you are experiencing premenopausal symptoms, these hormonal rollercoasters can be even more pronounced. Various symptoms such as irregular menstruation, facial flushing, sleep disorders, and emotional fluctuations interact complexly with sexual hypofunction, degrading your quality of life. Remember that the depletion of essence is not simply an issue of reproductive capacity, but a delicate warning that all systems in your body are growing exhausted, and listen closely to what your body is telling you.
