Infertility is more common than you think. An estimated 1 in 5 couples have trouble getting pregnant. While, infertility is one-third of the time from female factors, another one-third of the time male factors, the rest, is unknown or a combination of both female and male factors. While infertility is a complex issue, Traditional Chinese Medicine explains how a cold womb can cause a pregnancy to be a difficult, uphill task.

What Is a Cold Womb?

A “cold womb” is a term we hear our grandmothers and mothers say. In TCM, a cold womb refers to Kidney Yang deficiency. Symptoms include dark coloured menstrual blood,  coldness in the lower abdomen, lower back pain, low sex drive and late periods.

How Do You Get a Cold Womb?

From a TCM perspective, foods such as uncooked vegetables (salad), raw food and ice drinks can cause a cold uterus. While it is understandable in our constantly hot, summer-like weather, that you may tend to gravitate towards cold drinks such as bubble tea (boba) and iced coffee, bear in mind these seemingly harmless lifestyle drinks can cause a cold uterus. Furthermore, such cold drinks can also have a detrimental effect on men. A ‘cold body constitution’ in men can result in poor sperm quality.

How Does a Cold Womb Affect Pregnancy

Body temperature is a very part of TCM. Without enough warming energy in your body and womb, proper response to facilitate successful pregnancy will be lacking. Implantation is more difficult in a cold womb environment. And even with successful implantation, the risk of a miscarriage is high.

How to Prevent a Cold Womb 

Reduce consumption of bubble tea and cold drinks

If you are trying to conceive, cut down on those iced tea and coffee delicacies. Consume hot drinks such as hot ginger tea, warm water, and hot chrysanthemum tea. If you absolutely must, limit your cheat day of iced drinks to once a month. Abstain totally during your period, as at this time of the month, the cervix is opened and the womb is vulnerable to ‘cold’ invasion.

Replace salads with cooked vegetables

Keep salads to a minimal, at best, like a small dish on the side. Include more bone broths, soups, and cooked vegetables in your daily food intake.

Regularly keep the lower abdomen warm

Include regular moxibustion on the lower abdomen and to lower back to warm the womb and back, and build the yang energy. You can use Meditrina’s Moxa Pain Relief Essence, a do-it-yourself moxibustion at home to stimulate blood circulation and reduce Qi stagnation in the lower abdomen. Another popular self-care remedy is QiActiv® Essential Oil Pelvic Care. Its herbal blend of Dang Gui, Davana and Roman Chamomile, keeps the womb warm and healthy. You can bring this Pelvic Care essential oil to your regular masseur for a lower abdomen focused massage.

Incorporate traditional Chinese Herbal Soups

Chinese herbal formulas have been around for thousands of years, and many are specifically for warming the womb and building up the yang energy of the body. Visit your trusted TCM shop to have some herbs handpicked for your body needs.

Even if you are not keen to be pregnant any time soon, we advocate developing good lifestyle and food habits aimed at preventing or reducing coldness in the womb. It can improve your overall wellbeing and prep your body well for pregnancy in the future.