Urinary Incontinence in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different urinary incontinence patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Urinary incontinence refers to the involuntary leakage of urine, indicating a disruption in the urinary system's storage and release functions. It ranges from occasional, minor leaks when one coughs or sneezes to a strong, sudden urge to urinate that's difficult to control. This condition can affect daily activities, causing distress or embarrassment for those who experience it.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets urinary incontinence as a sign of underlying imbalances within the body's vital energies, particularly relating to the Kidney and Bladder.
It's often categorized as a Deficiency condition, where the body's Qi (vital energy) or Yang (active, warming energy) is insufficient to control the Bladder. TCM practitioners aim to identify the specific disharmony patterns to provide tailored treatment.
TCM Patterns for Urinary Incontinence
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Incontinence of urine, Urinary incontinence
Kidney Qi not Firm
Incontinence of urine
Along with: Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Cold extremities, White vaginal discharge, Bearing down sensation in abdomen, Recurrent miscarriage
Kidney and Heart Qi Deficiency
Urinary incontinence
Along with: Frequent urination, Nocturnal emission, Absentmindness, Poor memory, Pediatric nocturnal enuresis, Diabetes, Neuroses, Uterine prolapse, Dysautonomia, Enuresis
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Incontinence of urine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Incontinence of urine
Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Leg edema, Female infertility, Diarrhea, Depression, Erectile dysfunction, Premature ejaculation, Oligospermia, Low sex drive, Pale and abudant urination, Constipation
Qi Sinking
Causes: Incontinence of urine
Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
Incontinence of urine
Along with: Uterine prolapse, Prolapsed bladder, Stomach prolapse, Nephroptosis, Anus prolapse, Bearing down sensation in abdomen, Hemorrhoids, Chronic diarrhea, Frequent and urgent urination, Urinary incontinence, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Intestines prolapse, Vaginal prolapse
Herbal Formulas for Urinary Incontinence
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address urinary incontinence
You Gui Wan
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
- Replenishes the Essence
- Tonifies the Blood
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Qi not Firm
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission...
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Tu Si Zi Wan
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Kidneys
- Prevents abnormal leakage such as urinary incontinence or seminal emissions
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Qi not Firm
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission...
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Stabilizes the Kidneys
- Binds up the semen
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Qi not Firm
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission...
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yang
- Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Uterine prolapse, Prolapsed bladder, Stomach prolapse, Nephroptosis, Anus prolapse, Bearing down sensation in abdomen...
Fu Tu Dan
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Stabilizes the Kidney Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Stops leakage
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Qi not Firm
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission...
Er Xian Tang
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys
- Clears Empty Heat
- Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Du Shen Tang
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Original Qi
- Stabilizes from collapse
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Uterine prolapse, Prolapsed bladder, Stomach prolapse, Nephroptosis, Anus prolapse, Bearing down sensation in abdomen...
Qing E Wan
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and Reinforces Kidney Yang
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Qi not Firm
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission...
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and warms Kidney Yang
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Sang Piao Xiao San
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Regulates and tonifies the Heart and Kidneys
- Stabilizes the Essence
- Stops leakage
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney and Heart Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Urinary incontinence
Accompanying symptoms:
Frequent urination, Nocturnal emission, Absentmindness, Poor memory, Pediatric nocturnal enuresis, Diabetes...
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang
- Strengthens the Essence
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Ji Chuan Jian
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Kidneys
- Nourishes the Blood
- Strengthens the Essence
- Moistens the Intestines
- Unblocks bowels
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Yu Lin Zhu
Addresses these urinary incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang
- Consolidates the Penetrating and Directing Vessel (Chong Mai, Ren Mai)
- Facilitating pregnancy
- Promotes Blood circulation and regulates menstruation
Addresses These Urinary Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...