Hello, this is Dalimchae Clinic.

If period pain suddenly gets worse, it is an important signal from your body.

Menstrual pain that comes every month is a familiar discomfort for many women, but if you experience a sudden worsening of pain with the question, ‘Why is my period pain so bad this month?’, it is not something to simply ignore. Unusual, extreme pain can be an important signal from your body, and if neglected, it may lead to bigger problems.

💡 Key Answer 3 most common causes of sudden worsening of period pain: ① 'Blood Stasis' due to poor blood circulation in the uterus / ② 'Uterine diseases' such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids / ③ 'Autonomic imbalance' due to stress and overwork Dalimchae Clinic finds the root cause of such period pain and creates a healthy uterine environment through personalized 'constitution improvement' treatment to break the cycle of pain.

When period pain suddenly becomes severe, it's easy for many people to think it's just because they're 'tired' or 'stressed'. Of course, a decline in physical condition can be a factor that worsens period pain, but unusually severe pain can be the result of various changes occurring deep inside the body. In Korean medicine, 'blood stasis' (瘀血), or bad blood that has stagnated in the body, is noted as a major cause of such worsening period pain. Blood stasis interferes with blood circulation in the uterus and promotes the excessive secretion of prostaglandins, a pain-inducing substance, which can intensify period pain.

In addition, sudden worsening of period pain may be an early signal of uterine diseases such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, and uterine fibroids. These diseases increase the inflammatory response around the uterus and cause pain, and are sometimes accompanied by changes such as an increase in the amount of menstrual blood or the appearance of clotted blood. Chronic stress and irregular lifestyle habits break the balance of the autonomic nervous system and affect hormone regulation, which can make period pain even more severe. In particular, lack of exercise or vitamin D deficiency are also pointed out as factors that worsen period pain by making pelvic blood circulation poor.

In Korean medicine, period pain is interpreted as a signal sent by an imbalance in uterine and systemic health, rather than just pain. The cause is sought from the perspectives of 'Bul-tong-jeuk-tong' (不通則痛) and 'Bul-yeong-jeuk-tong' (不榮則痛), which mean "it hurts because it's blocked" or "it hurts because it's insufficient," respectively.

• Bul-tong-jeuk-tong (不通則痛): Mainly occurs when the circulation of Qi and blood is stagnated.

  • Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis (氣滯血瘀): Refers to a state where energy is stagnant due to stress and blood does not circulate properly, causing blood stasis to accumulate. There is a tendency for the chest to feel tight or the sides to hurt before menstruation, and the menstrual blood is dark red and clotted.
  • Cold-Damp Coagulation (寒濕凝滯): Occurs when cold and damp energy in the body accumulates in the uterus and pelvis. The lower abdomen and lower back are cold and painful, and a characteristic feature is that the pain is relieved when the body is kept warm.

• Bul-yeong-jeuk-tong (不榮則痛): Occurs when the body is weak and the supply of nutrients to the uterus is insufficient.

  • Qi and Blood Deficiency (氣血虛弱): Occurs when Qi and blood are deficient due to naturally weak physical strength, overwork, or nutritional deficiency. There is a dull pain in the lower abdomen, which feels comfortable when pressed or rubbed, and is sometimes accompanied by fatigue and dizziness.

As such, Songdo Korean Medicine Clinic comprehensively considers the pattern of period pain, menstrual history, and systemic condition to diagnose the root cause of each individual and provide customized treatment.

Painkillers are often taken to relieve period pain, but painkillers only provide temporary relief and have limitations in not solving the root cause. Rather, frequent use can cause side effects such as gastrointestinal disorders. On the other hand, Korean medicine treatment has a strength in treating the root cause of period pain to restore uterine health and lower the recurrence rate.

A study published in the journal 『Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine』 in 2012 confirmed the effect of Gyejibongnyeong-Hwan (GJBNH) on primary dysmenorrhea caused by blood stasis. As a result of a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study on 100 patients with primary dysmenorrhea aged 18 to 35, the average menstrual pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score in the Gyejibongnyeong-Hwan group decreased significantly compared to the placebo group. The researchers concluded that Gyejibongnyeong-Hwan is effective in relieving blood stasis, smoothing blood circulation, and reducing pain. This aligns with Dalimchae Clinic's treatment philosophy of improving the uterine environment through the removal of blood stasis.

In addition, a meta-analysis published in the journal 『Complementary Therapies in Medicine』 in 2021 systematically analyzed the effect of Danggui Sini Decoction on primary dysmenorrhea. As a result of this meta-analysis of 1,005 women included in a total of 11 randomized controlled trials, the treatment rate was significantly higher in the group taking Danggui Sini Decoction compared to the control group (RR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.30-1.55, p < 0.01). The researchers stated that Danggui Sini Decoction contributes to relieving period pain by warming the body and promoting blood circulation. As such, at Dalimchae Clinic Songdo, we are fundamentally treating period pain through Korean medicine treatment that removes blood stasis and restores uterine function according to each patient's constitution and symptoms, beyond simply suppressing pain.

At Dalimchae Clinic, we consider 'constitution improvement' as a key treatment principle for the fundamental resolution of period pain. This aims not just to turn off the symptoms, but to create a body where the symptoms do not turn on again. Since period pain is often not just a uterine problem but reflects an imbalance in systemic health, it is important to comprehensively improve an individual's constitution, lifestyle habits, and internal environment.

Dalimchae Clinic's constitution improvement treatment proceeds in the following directions.

1. Removal of blood stasis and improvement of blood circulation: Removes blood stasis, the main cause of period pain, and smooths blood circulation in the uterus and pelvis. By blowing in warm energy, it improves a cold uterus (uterine coldness) and helps the discharge of pain-inducing substances by promoting the flow of stagnant blood.
2. Restoration of autonomic nervous system balance: Regains the balance of the autonomic nerves broken due to stress and overwork to support hormone secretion and normal function of the uterus. This also contributes to relaxing a tense body and finding emotional stability to lower sensitivity to pain.
3. Strengthening immunity and self-healing power: Through herbal prescriptions tailored to each individual's constitution, it strengthens overall body functions and fosters the power for the uterus to maintain a healthy state on its own. Through this, it breaks the cycle of chronic recurring period pain and can also improve menstrual irregularities or other female diseases.

This constitution improvement treatment can expect positive effects not only in pain relief but also in overall condition improvement, immunity enhancement, and preparation for a healthy pregnancy. As a Songdo clinic for female diseases, Dalimchae Clinic listens to each patient's story and provides the most suitable constitution improvement solution through careful diagnosis.

If 3 or more of the following items apply to you, we recommend that you receive a detailed diagnosis and consultation at Dalimchae Clinic. If there are 5 or more, it is best to visit immediately to identify the cause and start treatment.

• ( ) I often have difficulty in daily life (studies, work) because of period pain.
• ( ) Even after taking painkillers, the pain doesn't subside well, or I start taking more and more.
• ( ) Period pain suddenly became severe, or the pattern of pain changed.
• ( ) The pain spreads not only to the lower abdomen but also to the lower back, pelvis, and legs.
• ( ) A lot of clotted blood comes out in menstrual blood, or the amount of menstruation suddenly increased.
• ( ) During the menstrual period, abdominal pain is accompanied by indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and dizziness.
• ( ) Emotional fluctuations are severe before and after menstruation, or symptoms such as breast pain and edema are severe.
• ( ) Usually, my hands, feet, or lower abdomen are cold and I am sensitive to cold.

Q. How long does period pain herbal medicine take? A. The duration of period pain herbal medicine treatment varies depending on the severity of the symptoms, the cause, and the constitution of the individual. It is often adjusted after observing the progress after 2 to 3 months of intensive treatment, and consistent management is important for preventing recurrence.

Q. Can period pain that cannot be resolved with painkillers be treated with Korean medicine? A. Yes, period pain that is difficult to control with painkillers or secondary period pain related to uterine diseases can be sufficiently improved with Korean medicine treatment. Since Korean medicine finds and solves the root cause of pain, you can expect treatment effects beyond the limitations of painkillers.

Q. Can period pain heal naturally? A. Mild primary period pain can be improved with changes in lifestyle habits, but it is difficult for period pain that suddenly becomes severe or chronic to heal naturally. In particular, if a uterine disease is the cause, professional diagnosis and treatment are essential.

Q. I have both period pain and menstrual irregularity. Can they be treated together? A. Yes, period pain and menstrual irregularity often have a common cause of imbalance in the uterus and female hormone system, so they can be treated together. Dalimchae Clinic's constitution improvement treatment helps to improve both symptoms simultaneously by balancing overall uterine health and hormones.

Period pain is not a problem that can be solved by enduring it. You no longer have to ignore the signals your body has been sending for a long time. If you approach it in the right direction, your body reacts faster than you think. Bring the symptoms you are experiencing as they are. We will find the cause together at Dalimchae Clinic.

A place where life blooms. Korean medicine is, after all, Dalimchae Clinic. Check symptoms similar to yours first with the AI consultation on the Dalimchae Clinic website!

This post is health information compiled by the Dalimchae medical staff based on questions actually received frequently in the consulting room. Medical Supervision | Women's and pregnancy treatment standard, Dalimchae Clinic Songdo Branch, KMD Oh Hyun-min (Period Pain Column)