Uterine Leiomyoma, a Ticking Time Bomb Inside the Uterus: Before Cold Qi Clumps into a Tumor

The concepts of cold qi and blood stasis in the Donguibogam align closely with modern medical understanding. Uterine leiomyoma is a benign tumor that arises from uterine smooth muscle, and its growth depends heavily on the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. In particular, excessive estrogen exposure, known as estrogen dominance syndrome, is recognized as a primary factor driving the development and enlargement of uterine leiomyoma. When cold qi accumulates, blood circulation declines. This slows blood and lymphatic circulation around the uterus, impairs the clearance of waste products, and can create a chronic state of hypoxia and inflammatory responses. 🩸 Chronic hypoxia and inflammation stimulate abnormal proliferation of uterine smooth muscle cells and increase the permeability of surrounding blood vessels, creating an environment prone to hemorrhage. As a result, patients with uterine leiomyoma frequently experience menorrhagia, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia and chronic fatigue. In addition, stress acts on the autonomic nervous system by overactivating the sympathetic nerve, constricting blood vessels and reducing blood flow volume to the uterus. This produces the same physiological outcome as cold qi, worsening the uterine environment and fueling a cycle of further tumor growth. 🤯 Gut health and uterine health are also linked. The gut microbiota, particularly the estrobolome, plays an important role in estrogen metabolism and clearance. When gut health declines, estrogen is not eliminated properly and undergoes reabsorption into the bloodstream, worsening estrogen dominance syndrome. The Donguibogam suggests that uterine leiomyoma is not an isolated problem of the uterus alone, but a systemic condition connected to whole-body circulation, hormonal balance, and lifestyle patterns. Warming the body and supporting circulation remain essential steps for long-term health.