Women's Health Korean Medicine Clinic
Within similar symptoms,
we find the right path for your care
Please choose whether your most uncomfortable change currently originates from menstruation, the pelvis, discharge, fertility, or a life transition.
Starting from the clues you see now, rather than just a diagnosis
Look first at the symptoms that have changed
Rather than confirming a diagnosis, we narrow down the guidance based on timing, amount, location, discharge, and life stage.
Information on 26 conditions in total
Pain · Cycle · Volume · Intermenstrual bleeding
Menstrual Cycle and Bleeding
Please record not only the start date, but also the duration and amount of bleeding, the location of pain, any changes from previous cycles, and the possibility of pregnancy.
Amenorrhea
When menstruation does not occur even after the expected date, the first cause to check for amenorrhea is pregnancy. If not pregnant, causes may include physiological changes such as breastfeeding or menopause, rapid weight loss, insufficient energy intake, excessive exercise, stress, polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid/hypothalamus/pituitary issues, primary ovarian insufficiency, hormonal contraceptives, or other medications. In cases where the first period has not started, delayed puberty, genetic/chromosomal conditions, and differences in the development of the uterus and vagina are also checked. Rather than judging the cause based on weight or stress alone, it is differentiated through pregnancy tests, medical history, physical examination, and necessary hormone tests or ultrasounds.
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Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Abnormal uterine bleeding is bleeding that occurs at a different time, amount, or duration than the expected period. This includes spotting between periods or after intercourse, bleeding that lasts more than 7 days, cases where the cycle changes significantly and suddenly, and postmenopausal bleeding. If there is a possibility of pregnancy and bleeding is accompanied by pelvic pain, or if menstrual products are soaked through every hour for more than two hours accompanied by dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain, an emergency evaluation takes priority over a consultation regarding the cause.
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Irregular Menstruation
There is more than one cause for irregular menstruation. First, the possibility of pregnancy is checked, followed by polycystic ovary syndrome and thyroid issues that cause irregular ovulation, significant weight changes, excessive exercise, stress, hormonal contraceptives, and changes during puberty or the menopausal transition. If the possibility of pregnancy overlaps with one-sided pelvic pain, bleeding, or dizziness, or if heavy bleeding causes shortness of breath or a feeling of fainting, an immediate visit to the obstetrics and gynecology department or an emergency evaluation takes priority over a consultation regarding the cause.
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Premenstrual Syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) involves emotional and behavioral symptoms such as irritability, depression, anxiety, poor concentration, and changes in sleep and appetite, along with breast tenderness, abdominal bloating, headaches, edema, and fatigue that recur before menstruation and subside after it begins. Rather than focusing on a single symptom, it is important to check the timing on the calendar and the impact on work, school, and relationships. Digestive changes that occur before pain, such as a feeling of blockage in the solar plexus, constipation, or cravings for sweets, should also be recorded as part of the same cyclic change if they recur before menstruation. Recording the intensity of symptoms and menstruation dates daily for 2 to 3 months helps distinguish PMS from depression or anxiety that lasts throughout the month, thyroid disease, or irritable bowel syndrome. If menstruation is late and there is a possibility of pregnancy, a pregnancy test should be performed before attributing symptoms to PMS. If daily life collapses due to severe despair, anger, or anxiety, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) should be evaluated; thoughts of suicide or harming oneself or others require immediate crisis assistance.
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Menstrual Cramps
Primary dysmenorrhea usually involves a squeezing pain in the lower abdomen just before or around the start of menstruation, which may spread to the lower back and thighs, and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, or dizziness. Conversely, if new pain develops, pain gradually worsens, pain lasts long before menstruation or remains after it ends, or if it overlaps with excessive/irregular bleeding, dyspareunia (pain during intercourse), dysuria (pain during urination), or dyschezia (pain during bowel movements), secondary causes such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease must be checked. If there is a possibility of pregnancy and you experience severe one-sided pain, bleeding, shoulder pain, dizziness, or a feeling of fainting, do not assume it is menstrual cramps and seek immediate evaluation.
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Implantation Bleeding
Implantation bleeding is a common term for the light bleeding that can occur when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Around 1 to 2 weeks after fertilization, a small amount of pink, brown, or red blood may appear on underwear or tissue, but bleeding cannot be confirmed as implantation based on color, amount, or duration alone. Early pregnancy bleeding also occurs due to cervical changes, infection, early pregnancy loss, or ectopic pregnancy. If there is a possibility of pregnancy or a pregnancy test is positive, notify the obstetrics and gynecology clinic about the bleeding and, if necessary, confirm the location and progress of the pregnancy via serum hCG and ultrasound. Severe one-sided pelvic pain, shoulder pain, dizziness, fainting, or heavy bleeding require immediate emergency evaluation.
View condition guide →Endometriosis · Adenomyosis · Fibroids · Ovarian Cysts
Pelvic Pain and Structural Diseases
Connect non-menstrual pain, pain during intercourse, urination, or bowel movements, feelings of pressure, ultrasound results, and fertility plans.
Ovarian Cysts
The focus of ovarian cyst examination is to check the size and location of the cyst via transvaginal or abdominal ultrasound, and to determine if it is simple fluid or contains septations or solid components. If necessary, pregnancy tests, blood tests such as CA-125, and MRI are added, but cancer is not confirmed or excluded based on a single value alone. The interval for follow-up ultrasounds varies depending on age, menopausal status, shape, and symptoms.
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Uterine Fibroids
There are no specific foods proven to reduce or eliminate uterine fibroids. A nutritious, balanced diet and healthy weight support overall health but do not replace medication, procedures, or surgery. If you have heavy menstrual bleeding, check for iron deficiency and anemia via a blood test, and include iron sources in your diet such as meat, fish, eggs, beans, peas, and iron-fortified foods. Plant-based iron is better absorbed when eaten with fruits and vegetables containing vitamin C. Dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, feeling of fainting, or heavy bleeding that does not stop require immediate medical evaluation over dietary consultation.
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Endometriosis
The exact cause of endometriosis is not yet known. Research suggests it may involve retrograde menstruation, where menstrual blood and tissue flow through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis; the failure of the immune system to remove similar tissue outside the uterus; and genetic predisposition and hormonal influences. However, none of these explain every case or can confirm an individual's cause. A family history of endometriosis, early menarche, short cycles, or long menstrual periods are contexts that may increase risk, but are not diagnoses themselves. If you experience recurring menstrual pain, pelvic pain, or difficulty conceiving, please seek a gynecological evaluation rather than blaming yourself for the cause.
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Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis symptoms may include menstrual pain severe enough to disrupt daily life, heavy or prolonged menstruation with large blood clots, pelvic pain or pain during intercourse regardless of the cycle, and a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen. Some cases have almost no symptoms, and because it is similar to uterine fibroids and endometriosis, a diagnosis is not confirmed by symptoms alone. If heavy bleeding causes dizziness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue, anemia must be checked. Even if pain has decreased, if low energy after menstruation or pelvic pressure remains, the treatment goals must be re-evaluated to see if they have moved to the next stage. At Baekrokdam, we first screen for acute heavy bleeding and necessary gynecological tests, then provide consultations for chronic or recurring pain, bleeding, and energy depletion using Korean herbal medicine.
View condition guide →Vaginitis · Odor · Itching · Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Discharge, Itching, and Infection
Rather than determining the bacteria or cause based on symptoms alone, we distinguish based on test results, recurrence intervals, response to antibiotics or antifungals, and the necessity of partner treatment.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may present as lower abdominal or pelvic pain, vaginal discharge with changes in odor or color, pain during intercourse, bleeding between periods, painful urination, or fever, but symptoms may be mild or absent. If there is a possibility of pregnancy, severe pain on one side, a feeling of fainting, high fever, or vomiting, emergency causes such as ectopic pregnancy or severe infection must be evaluated first. If PID is suspected, treatment should begin without waiting for test results.
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Chronic Vaginitis
Treatment for chronic vaginitis does not involve repeating previous medications just because the symptoms are the same; it begins by re-examining the cause of the discharge, odor, and itching. For recurrent candidiasis, the fungal species and resistance are identified to determine a longer initial treatment followed by maintenance antifungal therapy; for recurrent bacterial vaginosis, retreatment and suppressive therapy based on the situation are considered. Since non-infectious skin and mucosal diseases also exist, do not self-diagnose based on symptoms alone.
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Bacterial Vaginosis
Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include thin, homogeneous white or gray vaginal discharge and a strong fishy odor, which may become more prominent after sexual intercourse. It may be accompanied by itching, burning, or pain in the vagina or vulva, and burning during urination, but many people have no symptoms. Severe itching and clumpy discharge suggest candidiasis, while yellow-green or frothy discharge, pelvic pain, fever, or pain during intercourse require differentiation from other infections and PID. If discharge or odor changes during pregnancy, consult an obstetrician-gynecologist or a midwife regarding the risk of complications such as preterm birth and the necessity of treatment.
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Vaginitis
The cause of vaginitis cannot be determined by a single symptom such as discharge or itching. Candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis may have overlapping symptoms, but the required tests, treatments, and management of sexual partners differ. If this is the first occurrence, if you are pregnant, or if symptoms recur quickly after treatment, seek a medical examination and testing rather than continuing self-treatment. If fever, chills, severe pelvic pain, possibility of pregnancy, and bleeding occur together, evaluation for upper genital tract infection or pregnancy-related causes takes priority.
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Candidiasis
Candida vaginitis may present with vulvar itching, pain, swelling, redness, dyspareunia (pain during intercourse), pain when urine touches the area, and abnormal discharge, but none of these symptoms are specific only to Candida. If there is a strong odor, pelvic pain, fever, bleeding, or potential exposure to sexually transmitted infections, tests for bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and cervicitis should be conducted. If you are pregnant, do not self-administer oral fluconazole and seek medical evaluation.
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Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is often asymptomatic even after infection, so infection cannot be ruled out simply because discharge appears normal. If symptoms are present, vaginal discharge may increase, become thinner or frothy, appear yellow-green or gray, or have a fishy odor. Itching, burning, redness, soreness, and swelling of the vagina and vulva, as well as pain during urination and intercourse, may also occur. Since other types of vaginitis are similar, you should be tested rather than judging by color or smell alone; a recent diagnosis alone cannot determine the timing of infection or the source. Please review your tests and exposure history with your medical provider.
View condition guide →Ovulation · Ovarian Reserve · Infertility · Menopause · Postpartum
Fertility, Pregnancy Preparation, and Life Transitions
Rather than judging the possibility of pregnancy based on a single value, we sequentially check test and procedure schedules, medication, sleep, digestion, fatigue, and the burden of recovery.
Menopause and Perimenopause
In healthy individuals aged 45 and older, if symptoms such as facial flushing and menstrual changes are typical, menopause or the menopausal transition is usually determined clinically without blood tests. FSH is considered limitedly for suspected symptoms in those aged 40–45 or suspected premature ovarian insufficiency in those under 40; levels are difficult to interpret during hormonal contraception or treatment. Other causes, such as pregnancy possibility or thyroid issues, are tested according to the situation, and postmenopausal bleeding must be medically evaluated.
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Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Diminished ovarian reserve refers to a state where the number of remaining follicles is lower than expected or the response to ovarian stimulation is low, with natural decline due to age being the primary factor. Genetic factors such as FMR1 premutations, ovarian surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and some systemic diseases can accelerate this decline, though in some cases, the cause remains unknown. A low AMH level alone cannot be used to judge egg quality or the impossibility of natural pregnancy.
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Infertility
Infertility is not a problem caused solely by the woman. In women, it may be related to ovulation disorders, fallopian tube damage or blockage, endometriosis, uterine structural issues, or changes in ovarian function due to age. In men, causes may include sperm count, motility, morphology, varicocele, hormones, or ejaculation issues. Since factors from both partners can overlap or the cause may not be clear from the initial evaluation, we plan both female examinations and semen analysis from the start.
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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is diagnosed by synthesizing criteria including irregular ovulation and menstruation, symptoms of androgen excess such as acne and hirsutism, and ovarian morphology on ultrasound, while excluding other causes. It cannot be determined by a single finding of many follicles on ultrasound or by irregular menstruation alone. Treatment goals vary depending on whether immediate pregnancy is desired, whether menstruation and endometrial protection are the priority, or whether acne, hirsutism, and metabolic risks need to be managed. If pregnancy is planned, the evaluation of ovulation and the fertility of both partners should not be delayed.
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Recurrent Miscarriage
Recurrent miscarriage is evaluated as having two or more miscarriages, and a common background is accidental embryonic chromosomal number abnormalities. In some cases, parental chromosomal translocation, structural issues such as uterine shape, adhesions, or fibroids, antiphospholipid syndrome, or endocrine diseases such as uncontrolled thyroid disease are involved. However, even after investigating medical history, blood, genetics, and uterine structure, the cause remains unexplained in more than half of the cases. This does not mean that a single stressor or daily behavior is the cause, nor is it the patient's fault. If you are currently pregnant and experiencing bleeding, abdominal pain, dizziness, or fainting, seek an immediate obstetric evaluation rather than scheduling a cause-analysis test.
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Postpartum Wind (Sanhu-pung)
Postpartum wind is not a single internationally established disease name, but rather a term used to group various discomforts after childbirth, such as joint pain, feeling cold, chills, fatigue, and night sweats. While these may be part of the recovery process involving sleep deprivation and muscle strain due to childbirth and breastfeeding, fever and foul-smelling discharge may indicate infection; swelling and pain in one leg may indicate a blood clot; palpitations followed by severe fatigue and constipation may indicate postpartum thyroiditis; and if feelings of depression persist and make daily life difficult, postpartum depression should be checked. Record the location and onset of symptoms along with body temperature, bleeding, and mood changes. If warning signs are present, prioritize an OB/GYN or emergency evaluation over herbal medicine treatment.
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Preparing for IVF
After artificial insemination, short lower abdominal cramps or light spotting may occur due to catheter irritation, but the presence or absence of these symptoms alone cannot determine the success of the pregnancy. Please take a pregnancy test on the date guided by the fertility center and do not change prescribed medications arbitrarily. If you experience severe abdominal bloating, vomiting, fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain, or decreased urination after ovulation induction, contact the center or seek emergency care immediately.
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Threatened Abortion
Threatened abortion refers to a state where bleeding or pain occurs in early pregnancy, but the pregnancy is progressing according to ultrasound. Symptoms may range from spotting to red bleeding and lower abdominal cramps, but the outcome cannot be predicted by the amount of bleeding alone. Heavy bleeding, severe one-sided pain, shoulder pain, dizziness, or fainting must be evaluated immediately due to the possibility of ectopic pregnancy and massive hemorrhage.
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Breast Engorgement
Breast engorgement occurs in early breastfeeding when milk supply increases or the interval between breastfeeding/pumping widens, causing both breasts to feel tight, hard, and painful, and the nipples to flatten, making it difficult for the baby to latch. If hot, red pain is concentrated on one side accompanied by fever, chills, body aches, or if a painful lump remains, do not dismiss it as simple congestion and seek an evaluation from an obstetrics and gynecology or breast surgery clinic on the same day.
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Premature Menopause
If menstrual intervals widen or stop for a while before age 40, accompanied by heat sensations, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and insomnia, primary ovarian insufficiency is checked. Since menstruation may return, it is not the same as complete menopause, and other causes such as pregnancy or thyroid/prolactin issues must also be tested. If diagnosed, prioritize hormone and bone health and pregnancy planning; for chronic heat sensations, sleep issues, and fatigue, consult regarding Baekrokdam Korean herbal medicine treatment in coordination with existing treatments.
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