Does Musk Have Any Impact on Pregnant Women?

Musk and Pregnancy Risks

Excessive use of musk by pregnant women may increase the risk of miscarriage. Musk, a traditional Chinese medicine, contains muscone, a highly volatile compound. During pregnancy, the uterus of a woman is highly sensitive, and prolonged exposure to musk can stimulate uterine contractions, potentially leading to miscarriage. Nevertheless, casual exposure to musk perfume or occasional use is generally considered to have minimal impact.

The potential for miscarriage is primarily attributed to the volatility of muscone in musk. The heightened sensitivity of the uterus during pregnancy makes it more susceptible to stimulation by prolonged skin contact with musk, which can trigger contractions and miscarriage. Some pregnant women may be particularly sensitive to musk, with even short-term skin contact causing adverse effects. As such, it is advised that pregnant women with sensitive constitutions avoid contact with both natural and artificial musk.

Natural vs. Artificial Musk

Natural musk is derived from the glandular sac located between the navel and genitals of male musk deer. After drying, it becomes a valuable spice and medicinal material, known for its ability to promote blood circulation, relieve pain, unblock meridians, awaken the mind, and even induce childbirth. In contrast, artificial musk serves as a substitute for natural musk in both medicinal and non-medicinal applications, and is more commonly encountered in daily life.

While natural musk possesses strong medicinal properties and can indeed induce miscarriage in pregnant women, the majority of musk encountered in daily life is artificial. While artificial musk may have adverse effects on pregnant women, its impact is not as severe as often portrayed in media and does not immediately cause miscarriage upon inhalation. Generally, only those pregnant women who are constantly exposed to musk fragrances are at risk of inducing miscarriage. Occasional exposure to musk perfume or ointment is unlikely to cause miscarriage, but pregnant women are still advised to avoid it.

Taboos of Musk

1. Toxicity and Overuse: Musk is a toxic traditional Chinese medicine, and excessive use is strictly prohibited. It can significantly irritate the digestive tract mucosa, paralyze the respiratory center, and cause heart failure, potentially leading to death in severe cases.

2. Pregnancy Prohibition: Pregnant women are advised against taking musk as it can significantly stimulate the uterus, accelerate uterine contractions, and lead to miscarriage. Additionally, inhaling the aroma of musk can have a potent inducing effect, potentially causing premature birth or miscarriage, posing a significant threat to both the fetus and the mother's safety.