Fundamental Treatment for Menstrual Pain: Painkiller Alternatives and Effects Offered by Korean Medicine

There are many women who suffer from menstrual pain that arrives every month. Although they repeatedly take painkillers for hard-to-bear pain, this is only temporary pain relief and cannot become a fundamental solution. Menstrual pain is not merely simple pain, but a signal alerting to an imbalance in the body. Today, we will look into the causes and solutions of menstrual pain from the perspectives of Western medicine and Korean medicine, and especially examine how a Korean medicine approach provides fundamental treatment.

1. Understanding Menstrual Pain

Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) refers to lower abdominal pain occurring before or during menstruation. The pain manifests in various ways, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain to the extent that daily life is impossible. Menstrual pain is largely divided into primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea.

1. Primary dysmenorrhea: Menstrual pain that occurs without any special abnormality in the uterus or pelvis, appearing mainly in young women after menarche.

2. Secondary dysmenorrhea: Menstrual pain that occurs due to other diseases, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and pelvic inflammatory disease.

2. Menstrual Pain Viewed from Western Medicine

1. Causes

In Western medicine, the primary cause of primary dysmenorrhea is seen as the excessive secretion of a substance called prostaglandin. This substance is produced in the endometrium and performs the following actions:

*Increased uterine muscle contractions: Prostaglandins strongly contract the uterine muscle to help discharge menstrual blood, but excessive contractions induce pain.

*Uterine ischemia: Strong contractions reduce blood flow to the uterus, creating a state of oxygen deficiency, and pain occurs due to this.

*Increased pain sensitivity: Prostaglandins stimulate pain nerves, making them respond more sensitively to pain.

3. Coping Methods

In Western medicine, menstrual pain is mainly managed through the following methods:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Relieve pain by suppressing prostaglandin production with medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

2. Hormone therapy: Relieves menstrual pain by regulating hormone balance and reducing endometrial proliferation through oral contraceptives and the like.

3. Lifestyle improvements: Regular exercise, stress management, smoking cessation, etc., are recommended.

Most of these methods focus on symptomatic therapies that temporarily relieve symptoms.

4. Menstrual Pain Viewed Through Korean Medicine - Gyeongtong (經痛)

In Korean medicine, menstrual pain is called 'Gyeongtong (經痛)', and it is seen as occurring not simply from pain, but due to an imbalance in the circulation of Qi and blood (氣血) throughout the entire body and the functions of the internal organs (臟腑). In particular, the smooth circulation of Qi and blood around the uterus being impeded, blocked, or stagnating is identified as a major cause.

1. Major Causes of Menstrual Pain in Korean Medicine

(1) Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis (氣滯血瘀)

Qi (氣) refers to the energy of our body, and Blood (血) refers to the blood. When Qi becomes blocked and congested due to stress, emotional suppression, etc., blood circulation stagnates and blood stasis (瘀血, dead blood) forms, and this accumulates around the uterus, inducing pain.

Characteristic Symptoms:

• Stabbing or squeezing-like pain

• Many clots in menstrual blood, with a dark red or purplish-black color

• Fullness or distension in the chest or flanks, irritability, and frequent sighing

(2) Cold Coagulation and Blood Stasis (寒凝血瘀)

When cold pathogen (寒邪) invades the uterus, the uterus becomes cold, which further worsens blood circulation and intensifies pain. Ingestion of cold foods and exposure to cold environments are contributing causes.

Characteristic Symptoms:

• Lower abdomen feels cold with a heavy ache

• Pain is relieved when kept warm

• Accompanied by cold hands and feet, indigestion, diarrhea, etc.

(3) Downward Infusion of Damp-Heat (濕熱下注)

This refers to dampness (濕) and heat (熱) accumulating downward. When damp-heat builds up around the uterus, it obstructs the circulation of qi and blood and causes pain. Greasy foods, alcohol, and humid environments are contributing causes.

Characteristic Symptoms:

• Burning, throbbing or aching pain

• Menstrual blood is deep red, sticky, and foul-smelling

• Increased vaginal discharge; urine is reddish and frequent

(4) Liver Qi Stagnation (肝氣鬱結)

The liver (肝) plays a role in smoothing and circulating qi. Emotional stagnation such as stress, anger, and feelings of grievance blocks the liver's qi, inducing menstrual pain.

Characteristic Symptoms:

• Pain worsens before menstruation

• Stifling feeling in the flanks or chest

• Emotional changes such as irritability, annoyance, anxiety, and depressive feelings

(5) Kidney Deficiency (腎虛)

The kidneys (腎) are the viscera that store our body's fundamental energy (vital essence). When the kidneys are weak, overall function declines, which can lead to menstrual pain.

Characteristic Symptoms:

• Pain worsens toward the end of menstruation

• Dull, lingering pain accompanied by lower back pain

• Accompanied by chronic fatigue, dizziness, weakness in the knees, etc.

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5. Korean Medicine's Approach to Menstrual Pain Treatment

Korean medicine applies different treatments suited to each cause. Providing customized treatment tailored to an individual's constitution and symptoms is its key feature.

(1) Customized Treatment through Pattern Identification (辨證)

A Korean medicine doctor comprehensively assesses the patient's condition and makes an accurate pattern identification through the four examinations (四診): inspection (望診), listening and smelling (聞診), inquiry (問診), and palpation (切診). In the case of menstrual pain, the pattern of pain, characteristics of menstrual blood, and accompanying symptoms are examined with particular care.

(2) Herbal Medicine Treatment

Appropriate herbal medicines are prescribed according to pattern identification:

• Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis type: Hwalhyeolgeo-eo-tang (活血祛瘀湯), Gami-soyosan (加味逍遙散), etc.

• Cold Coagulation and Blood Stasis type: On-gyeong-tang (溫經湯), Danggwisayeok-tang (當歸四逆湯), etc.

• Downward Infusion of Damp-Heat type: Cheong-yeoljoseup-tang (淸熱燥濕湯), Paljeong-san (八正散), etc.

• Liver Qi Stagnation type: Soyo-san (逍遙散), Sihosogan-san (柴胡疏肝散), etc.

• Kidney Deficiency type: Palmul-tang (八物湯), Yukmijiwhang-tang (六味地黃湯), etc.

(3) Acupuncture & Moxibustion Treatment

Acupuncture and moxibustion are performed on specific acupoints (經穴) to promote the circulation of qi and blood and regulate visceral functions:

• Frequently used acupoints: Sanyinjiao (三陰交), Guanyuan (關元), Qihai (氣海), Hegu (合谷), Taichong (太衝), etc.

• Different combinations of acupoints are used depending on the pain site and the cause.

(4) Lifestyle Management Methods

Menstrual pain can be managed in daily life through the following methods:

• Maintaining warmth: Especially in the case of the cold coagulation and blood stasis type, keep the lower abdomen warm and avoid cold foods.

• Moderate exercise: Light yoga or stretching promotes the circulation of qi and blood.

• Stress management: Manage stress through meditation, deep breathing, hobbies, and the like.

• Dietary adjustment: Consume foods suited to your constitution and pattern identification, and avoid cold foods, irritating foods, excess sugar, and caffeine.

6. Advantages of Korean Medicine's Menstrual Pain Management

1. Addressing the Root Cause

Korean medicine does not simply suppress pain; it identifies and resolves the imbalance of qi and blood, which is the root cause of the pain. This helps prevent menstrual cramps from recurring over the long term.

2. Minimization of Side Effects

Long-term use of painkillers can cause side effects such as gastrointestinal disorders and reduced liver function. Korean medicine treatments carry a lower risk of side effects because they restore the body's balance through natural methods.

3. A Holistic Approach

Korean medicine does not treat menstrual cramps in isolation; it improves the overall condition of the body. Because of this, it provides the effect of simultaneously improving other symptoms as well, such as fatigue, indigestion, and sleep disorders, in addition to menstrual cramps.

4. Tailored Treatment

Korean medicine offers customized treatment tailored to each individual's constitution and symptoms. Even for the same menstrual cramps, because the causes and manifestations differ from person to person, the most suitable treatment method is found and applied to the individual.

Menstrual Cramps: Now Is the Time to Consider a Fundamental Solution

Menstrual cramps are an important issue that significantly affects a woman's health and quality of life. Although temporary pain relief can be obtained with painkillers, an approach that corrects bodily imbalances is necessary for a fundamental solution.

With wisdom accumulated over thousands of years, Korean medicine identifies the causes of menstrual cramps from diverse perspectives and provides tailored treatment suited to the individual. By identifying and resolving various causes—such as a cold lower abdomen, gastrointestinal problems, abdominal lymphatic circulation disorders, and hormonal abnormalities—it helps menstrual cramps improve naturally.

If you are suffering from menstrual cramps, please do not simply endure the pain or rely solely on painkillers; instead, consider visiting a Korean medicine clinic to find a fundamental solution tailored to you. When your body's balance is restored, not only menstrual cramps but also overall health and vitality will return together.