Women’s Health Series: Why Everything Cold is Discouraged During Menstruation

The main goal in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is to restore the well being of the person by improving or maintenance of the healthful and proper movement in all the body’s systems. Such movements usually refer to circulation of qi or energy as well as blood and vital fluids. Not only that, it includes the movement within organs, whose healthy function depends on proper flow and movement within their systems.

Blockage of movements is equivalent to disrupted function, which is at the core of all diseases and pain. In TCM, many factors create blockages within the body, one of them is coldness.

Coldness or the nature of cold is to contract and slow down. Look at how coldness in temperature will slow down the movement of water. And if the temperature drops further, it will come to a point when the fluid movement stops and a solid mass of ice will form.

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This same principle of nature occurs in the body as well.

During menstruation, a women’s body is focused on discharging menstrual blood. If this process is healthy, she will have a smooth, painless, and unimpeded flow without painful cramps, mood swings, fatigue, acne or other discomforts. In contrast, impeding circulatory flow of the menstruation can aggravate pain and other distressing symptoms. If this flow is unsmooth over long periods of time, physical growth in the form of cysts and fibroids may form. Read how TCM and Acupuncture treat PMS here.



TCM places great importance on supporting the strong and healthy movement of blood during this monthly discharge. Hence activities and habits that expose the women’s body to coldness are highly discouraged. Such activities include taking cold drinks and foods, making sure the stomach area is always warm and covered, wearing slippers on cold tiles, abstaining from swimming and water sports.



So now you know.

TCM(Traditional Chin Med), TCM WellnessXiang Jun LimDr (TCM) Xiang Juntcm, women health, menstruation, cold, cold drinks, hormonal, hormonal imbalance, blockage, wellness, healing