Urinary Or Fecal Incontinence in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different urinary or fecal incontinence patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Urinary or fecal incontinence is a troubling condition characterized by the loss of control over urination or defecation. This symptom can manifest as an inability to hold urine or stools until reaching a bathroom, leading to involuntary leakage.
It's a condition that can affect people of all ages, though it's more prevalent among the elderly, women who have undergone multiple pregnancies, and individuals with certain health conditions. The impact of incontinence extends beyond physical discomfort, affecting emotional well-being and social interaction.
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), urinary or fecal incontinence is seen not just as a localized problem but as an indication of an underlying imbalance within the body’s vital energies.
TCM identifies several patterns of disharmony, such as Cold invading the Bladder or a Deficiency in the Kidney Yang, that can lead to incontinence. By focusing on restoring balance and strengthening the body's Qi (vital energy), TCM aims to address both the symptoms and the root cause of incontinence, offering a holistic approach to treatment.
TCM Patterns for Urinary Or Fecal Incontinence
Qi Deficiency
Insufficient vital energy causing fatigue, weakness, poor digestion, and reduced function of organs and protective systems
Causes: Incontinence, Incontinence of urine, Urinary incontinence
Qi Deficiency is a fundamental pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the body's vital energy is insufficient to maintain normal physiological functions, leading to weakness, fatigue, and various organ dysfunctions.
Bladder Deficient and Cold
Incontinence
Along with: Frequent urination, Pale and abudant urination, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Enuresis, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Nocturia, White urethral discharge, Chills
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 Collapse
Sudden, catastrophic loss of yang energy causing systemic shutdown with cold sweating, frozen extremities, and consciousness fading
Causes: Incontinence
Yang Collapse represents the most critical yang deficiency pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine - a life-threatening condition where the body's yang energy suddenly and massively depletes, leading to systemic functional failure.
Collapse of Yang
Incontinence
Along with: Apathy, Chills, Cold extremities, Bright pale face, Sweating on forehead, Absence of thirst, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Frequent urination, Diarrhea
Yang Deficiency
Insufficient yang qi causing coldness, fatigue, and diminished physiological functions throughout the body
Causes: Incontinence, Incontinence of urine
Yang Deficiency represents a fundamental weakness of the body's yang qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It manifests as an inability to warm the body, transform substances, and maintain normal physiological activities, resulting in various cold-type symptoms and functional decline.
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Incontinence, 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
Weakened lifting force causing downward bearing sensations, organ prolapse, and inability to hold things in their proper position
Causes: Incontinence of urine
Qi Sinking represents a progression from Spleen Qi deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where the spleen's essential lifting function fails, causing various downward symptoms and organ displacement.
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
Cold
Congeals body fluids, damages Yang Qi, and causes pain with fixed location
Causes: Incontinence
Cold is the predominant pathogenic factor of winter in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Cold represents an environmental pathogen that, when excessive, causes disease characterized by its cold, congealing, and contracting nature. While Cold is the main pathogen of winter, it can cause illness in any season through exposure to cold temperatures, getting caught in rain, sweating followed by wind exposure, or excessive air conditioning.
Bladder Deficient and Cold
Incontinence
Along with: Frequent urination, Pale and abudant urination, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Enuresis, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Nocturia, White urethral discharge, Chills
Herbal Formulas for Urinary Or Fecal Incontinence
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address urinary or fecal incontinence
Sang Piao Xiao San
Addresses these urinary or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Regulates and tonifies the Heart and Kidneys
- Stabilizes the Essence
- Stops leakage
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal Incontinence Pattern Variations
Bladder Deficient and Cold
How it manifests:
Incontinence
Accompanying symptoms:
Frequent urination, Pale and abudant urination, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Enuresis, Lower back pain, Dizziness...
Kidney and Heart Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Urinary incontinence
Accompanying symptoms:
Frequent urination, Nocturnal emission, Absentmindness, Poor memory, Pediatric nocturnal enuresis, Diabetes...
Tu Si Zi Wan
Addresses these urinary or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Kidneys
- Prevents abnormal leakage such as urinary incontinence or seminal emissions
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal 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, Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
You Gui Wan
Addresses these urinary or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
- Replenishes the Essence
- Tonifies the Blood
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence, Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
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 or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yang
- Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence, 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 or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal 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...
Du Shen Tang
Addresses these urinary or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Original Qi
- Stabilizes from collapse
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal 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...
Er Xian Tang
Addresses these urinary or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys
- Clears Empty Heat
- Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence, Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Fu Tu Dan
Addresses these urinary or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Stabilizes the Kidney Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Stops leakage
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal 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...
Hui Yang Jiu Ji Tang
Addresses these urinary or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and revives the Yang
- Augments the Qi
- Revives the pulse
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal Incontinence Pattern Variations
Collapse of Yang
How it manifests:
Incontinence
Accompanying symptoms:
Apathy, Chills, Cold extremities, Bright pale face, Sweating on forehead, Absence of thirst...
Ji Chuan Jian
Addresses these urinary or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Kidneys
- Nourishes the Blood
- Strengthens the Essence
- Moistens the Intestines
- Unblocks bowels
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence, Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan
Addresses these urinary or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Kidneys
- Warms Yang
- Promotes water transformation
- Reduces water retention
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence, 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 or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Stabilizes the Kidneys
- Binds up the semen
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal 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...
Qing E Wan
Addresses these urinary or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and Reinforces Kidney Yang
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal 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...
Shen Fu Tang
Addresses these urinary or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores Yang
- Strongly tonifies the source Qi
- Saves Qi from collapsing due to devastated Yang
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal Incontinence Pattern Variations
Collapse of Yang
How it manifests:
Incontinence
Accompanying symptoms:
Apathy, Chills, Cold extremities, Bright pale face, Sweating on forehead, Absence of thirst...
Suo Quan Wan
Addresses these urinary or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Kidneys
- Dispels cold
- Reduces urinary frequency
- Stops leakage
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal Incontinence Pattern Variations
Bladder Deficient and Cold
How it manifests:
Incontinence
Accompanying symptoms:
Frequent urination, Pale and abudant urination, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Enuresis, Lower back pain, Dizziness...
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan
Addresses these urinary or fecal incontinence patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang
- Strengthens the Essence
Addresses These Urinary Or Fecal Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence, Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Yu Lin Zhu
Addresses these urinary or fecal 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 Or Fecal Incontinence Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Incontinence, Incontinence of urine
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Bu Fei Tang
Traditional formula for urinary or fecal incontinence
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Stabilizes the Exterior
Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang
Traditional formula for urinary or fecal incontinence
Main Actions
- Rectifies relationship between Yin and Yang
- Harmonizes Heart and Kidney
- Stabilizes and secures Essence
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for urinary or fecal incontinence
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)
- Tonifies Qi
- Relieves spasmodic pain
Si Ni San
Traditional formula for urinary or fecal incontinence
Main Actions
- Regulates Liver and Spleen
- Eliminates Internal Heat