What Is A Cold Uterus?

Before we go any further, it’s important to get something out of the way – this term is not synonymous with frigidity or other sexual inappropriateness, and has no connection to whether or not you have children already. In fact, it’s one of the common term frequently used in Chinese Medicine, usually associated with infertility . While it’s often translated as ‘cold uterus’, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis of Cold Uterus (宫寒) isn’t describing the female reproductive organ at all, but rather the underlying conditions that are impacting your fertility and affecting your ability to get pregnant. So, what is a cold uterus? and how do you know if you have this condition? Keep reading to find out.

In Chinese Medicine body temperature plays a very important part especially when it comes to fertility. In simple words, a cold uterus simply does not have the desired temperature for an embryo to flourish. Lack of warmth and the cold conditions in the uterus means that the follicles may not ripen. Even if the maturation of the ovarian follicle does take place there is a high chance that your body may not be able to ovulate properly without the warmth, resulting in failing to conceive. In many cases, it can also be the cause behind a miscarriage, which is why so much importance is placed on the temperature of the uterus in Chinese Medicine when trying to conceive. 

Yin, Yang & Cold Uterus

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believes that a woman’s uterus function is affected by an imbalance in yin and yang. These are two ancient energy-based forces that constantly seek to balance one another out. The Yin represents feminine energy, characterized by coldness and darkness, while Yang stands for masculine energy, characterized by heat and light. And every organ system in your body is associated with either yin or yang—including your reproductive system.If you have too much of one force and not enough of another, according to TCM, then you have an imbalance called a cold uterus. When your uterus becomes too cold—usually because it doesn’t have enough yang—it stops functioning normally.

Yang is the warming energy

Yang is the warming energy which drives blood flow and works as a catalyst for ovulation and implantation. The second half of the menstrual cycle, also known as the luteal phase is recognised as the yang phase. What this means is that – during this phase, progesterone is produced which causes the body temperature to rise, this creates the best condition for implantation of fertilized embryo. So when the body temperature fails to rise a cold uterus will be present. 

One of the most common patterns that is noticed with women who are experiencing unexplained infertility or miscarriages is the Kidney Yang deficiency. Kidney Yang deficiency is associated with progesterone levels.

Cold Uterus or Yang Energy Deficiency 

If you have a cold uterus or Yang deficiency, you body will be experiencing one of more of the following conditions: 

• Poor blood flow to the reproductive organs
• Narrow blood vessels
• Cold halts cell division leading to menstruation
• Inflammation in the uterus leading to unstable implantation
• Stagnation which interferes in the hormonal response which aids reproduction

Symptoms of Yang Deficiency (in relation to cold uterus)