Many women suffer from excruciating menstrual cramps. They may find their hands and feet cold during autumn and winter, and even spot wrinkles on their faces even when they are still young! Their complexion is becoming dull, which cannot be reversed with skincare products. The culprit may be a ‘cold uterus’!

What is a cold uterus?

In Chinese medicine, a cold uterus means impaired functions of the ovaries and uterus. It does not mean the uterus is physically cold, but refers to the poor blood circulation in the pelvis cavity hindering its normal functions. Patients will experience abnormalities such as irregular menstrual cycle, light period and dark period blood.

How does a cold uterus speed up ageing?

A cold uterus can trigger numerous gynaecological diseases and hormone disorders. Poor living habits will worsen the cold uterus, and accelerate the ageing process over time, exhibiting signs such as a bloated lower abdomen, sagging skin, wrinkles, dull complexion, haggard face, old and fat appearance, etc.

Causes of a cold uterus

A cold uterus is mainly caused by heredity and lifestyle habits, including:

• Women with cold-intolerant and yang-deficient constitutions due to heredity can easily get a cold uterus

• Office workers who lack exercise and have poor blood circulation

• People who like eating cold foods will easily get weak and cold-intolerant constitutions, hence severe menstrual cramps

• People in favour of cold showers, in which the low temperature will damage and reduce the yang qi in the body, may suffer from blood stasis and dampness that hinder period blood discharge.

• Eating cold foods during periods can trigger constriction of the blood vessels, causing menstrual cramps and prolonged damage to the uterus

7 signs of a cold uterus

1. Pale or dull complexion

2. Cold intolerance, cold hands and feet, cold and painful lower abdomen and the whole body

3. Frequent soreness and pain in the lower back

4. Insomnia and excessive dreaming

5. Clear, watery and frequent vaginal discharge

6. Irregular menstrual cycle, light period, menstrual cramps

7. Ageing skin

Warming your uterus is the only way to restore youth

A cold uterus can trigger ageing and numerous diseases, therefore warming your uterus can bring remarkable benefits to your body and appearance. The key to warming the uterus is to improve qi-blood circulation by exercising more and having warm foot baths. As our feet are called the second heart of our body, warm feet with healthy blood circulation can benefit the overall qi-blood circulation and effectively warm the uterus.

On the other hand, city dwellers should be aware of their mental health. Heavy work-related stress will cause nervousness and anxiety, and even the feeling of breathlessness. The prolonged low oxygen intake can reduce menstrual blood and hamper qi-blood circulation. Therefore, you should regulate your emotions, relax both your mind and body to warm your uterus, as well as restore your youthful skin!