What are the differences between uterine coldness and general body coldness?
Sep 01, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
The distinction between uterine coldness (gong han) and general body coldness (ti han) can typically be made according to the scope of pathology, core pathogenic mechanisms, and primary symptoms. Uterine coldness involves a relatively localized pathology, mainly affecting the uterus and pelvic region, and results from either local invasion of cold pathogens or insufficient yang energy in that area. In contrast, general body coldness represents a systemic condition characterized by deficient yang energy throughout the body, with cold pathogens affecting multiple levels including internal organs, meridians, and qi and blood circulation, thus reflecting an overall constitutional problem.
The differences between uterine coldness and general body coldness can typically be distinguished from aspects such as the scope of the lesion, core pathogenesis, main symptoms, affected populations, and focus of regulation. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Scope of Lesion: Uterine coldness involves a relatively localized lesion, primarily concentrated in the uterine and pelvic regions, resulting from local cold pathogen invasion or deficiency of yang qi. In contrast, body coldness refers to a deficiency of yang qi throughout the body, with cold pathogens spreading systemically, affecting multiple levels including the internal organs, meridians, and qi and blood, making it a systemic constitutional issue.
2. Core Pathogenesis: The core pathogenesis of uterine coldness is weakness of yang qi in the uterus or stagnation of cold pathogens within it, leading to impaired warming function of the uterus. For body coldness, the core pathogenesis lies in insufficient production or excessive depletion of systemic yang qi, which fails to warm the body properly, resulting in a generally cold state; the uterus may also be affected due to overall yang deficiency.
3. Main Symptoms: Uterine coldness mainly manifests as menstrual irregularities, such as dysmenorrhea, reduced menstrual flow, dark menstrual blood with clots, and may also include cold pain in the lower abdomen, clear and profuse vaginal discharge, and infertility. Body coldness manifests as general sensitivity to cold, cold hands and feet, pale complexion, and menstrual irregularities are usually secondary symptoms of systemic yang deficiency.
4. Affected Population: Uterine coldness commonly occurs in women of childbearing age and is closely related to physiological functions such as menstruation and fertility; unmarried women or married women who have not given birth may also develop uterine coldness due to cold pathogen invasion. Body coldness, on the other hand, can affect both genders without significant age or gender restrictions.
5. Regulation Focus: The focus of regulating uterine coldness is to warm the uterus, which can be achieved through targeted dietary adjustments and localized warm compresses to improve the cold stagnation in the pelvic region. Regulating body coldness requires a holistic approach, emphasizing the replenishment of systemic yang qi through dietary adjustments, regular sleep patterns, moderate exercise, and other methods to enhance overall yang qi levels.
In daily life, one should avoid long-term consumption of cold foods, keep the abdomen, waist, hands, and feet warm; and appropriately consume warming ingredients such as ginger, red dates, and lamb.
