Severe Dysmenorrhea and Blood Stasis: Solutions from Donguibogam

Modern medicine provides clear biological explanations for what Donguibogam describes as blood stasis caused by cold. Monthly menstrual pain is largely driven by substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins stimulate the uterus to contract and shed the uterine lining. When produced in excess, the myometrium contracts excessively, compressing local blood vessels and reducing uterine circulation, which intensifies pain. Here, classical concepts of cold qi and blood stasis closely mirror modern physiological findings. When the lower abdomen is exposed to cold, the autonomic nervous system responds by constricting blood vessels. Narrowed vessels naturally impede blood circulation. Similar to vascular changes seen in arteriosclerosis, adequate oxygen and nutrients cannot reach the uterus efficiently, while metabolic waste products fail to clear promptly. This closely parallels the obstructed state of blood stasis. Reduced circulation makes the myometrium more prone to cramping, triggers elevated prostaglandin release, and heightens pain sensitivity. Coldness directly hinders blood flow, generating more algogens and excessive muscle tension in a self-reinforcing cycle. Cold syndrome can also compromise local immunity and influence inflammation. Poor blood flow around the uterus allows inflammatory markers to accumulate, further aggravating pain. Donguibogam's concepts of blood stasis and cold qi correspond directly to modern mechanisms involving blood circulation disorder, inflammatory responses, hormonal imbalance, and neurological pain perception. Cold in the lower abdomen is an integrated physiological signal that internal balance has shifted, underscoring the importance of keeping the body warm.