In the consultation room, I often hear this from student and office worker patients. They say that every month they have pain as if their abdomen is being torn apart, along with mood swings, headaches, and swelling, but they have endured it as “just the way it is.” Discomfort before and after menstruation can be common, but if it disrupts daily life, studies, or work, it should be seen as a signal from the body.
Menstruation is a signal that reflects the body’s condition
The menstrual cycle and pain are affected by stress, lack of sleep, overwork, rapid weight changes, medications being taken, and hormonal changes. That is why when we evaluate dysmenorrhea, we check not only the location and intensity of pain, but also digestion, bowel movements, cold hands and feet, fatigue, and emotional changes.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) does not appear only as emotional changes such as irritability and depression. Breast fullness, appetite changes, constipation or diarrhea, headaches, edema, and indigestion may recur together.
Pain that has suddenly changed needs to be checked
If you have severe pain that is different from before, or if your menstrual flow has noticeably increased, the first step is to check the condition of the uterus and ovaries. Secondary dysmenorrhea caused by uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, Endometriosis, ovarian diseases, and other conditions requires looking at the underlying disease as well.
- When pain that is difficult to control even with pain relievers keeps recurring
- When menstrual flow suddenly becomes heavy or clots increase
- When the menstrual cycle becomes very irregular or there is abnormal bleeding
- When fever, foul-smelling discharge, or severe pelvic pain occurs together
- When there is a possibility of pregnancy and abdominal pain or bleeding occurs
If you have changes like the above, we recommend that you seek care. If you are taking pain relievers, hormone medications, or birth control pills, it is better not to stop them on your own, and to tell your medical team what you are currently taking.
In Korean medicine, we look at circulation and cold sensitivity together
From a Korean medicine perspective, a deficiency of qi and blood, blood stasis with stagnant circulation, and cold sensitivity in the lower abdomen may be related to dysmenorrhea. When symptoms have recurred for a long time, weakness and stagnation often appear together, so we do not view it in only one direction.
Treatment varies depending on your body condition. We may approach care by using herbal medicine to tonify qi and blood and support circulation, or by combining acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, heat therapy, pharmacopuncture treatment, and other methods to help relieve lower abdominal tension and pain, as well as accompanying symptoms. When Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is prominent, we also look at sleep, digestion, and autonomic nervous system imbalance.
Lifestyle management is also part of treatment
- When pain begins, keep the lower abdomen and lower back warm.
- Reduce cold foods and excessive alcohol, and avoid overwork before menstruation.
- From 1–2 weeks before your expected period, continue light walking and stretching regularly.
- If constipation and swelling are severe, pay attention to water and fiber intake and regular bowel habits.
- Avoid extreme food restriction or rapid dieting, as they can disrupt the menstrual rhythm.
Dysmenorrhea and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) can lower quality of life the longer they are endured. I calmly review menstrual patterns, constitution, and lifestyle patterns, then guide any needed testing and Korean medicine care together. If you have discomfort that repeats every month, I recommend checking your body’s balance rather than enduring it alone.