Symptom families: Urinary Incontinence and Dysfunction, Stool and Bowel Irregularities
Sub-symptom(s): Fecal Incontinence Urinary Incontinence Postpartum Incontinence
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.
In TCM, the causes of urinary or fecal incontinence are attributed to several patterns, such as Cold invading the lower body or a Deficiency in Yang energy, leading to a lack of control over the bladder or bowels. For example, Bladder Deficient and Cold can manifest as frequent, pale urination or incontinence, accompanied by symptoms like lower back pain and dizziness.
Another cause, Yang Collapse, reflects a severe Deficiency where vital functions are weakened, resulting in incontinence alongside symptoms like low energy, chills, and cold extremities. By identifying these patterns, TCM practitioners can tailor treatments to the individual, aiming to warm the body, strengthen Yang, and restore the proper function of the bladder and intestines.
Explore below more details about what might cause Urinary or fecal incontinence according to TCM.
In TCM "Cold" as a pattern of disharmony refers to a specific type of imbalance within the body's systems, often linked to a deficiency or weakness. It's not about feeling physically cold or having a common cold, but rather a metaphorical description of certain symptoms and underlying conditions. When a TCM practitioner says someone suffers from "Cold," it usually implies that the body's Yang energy, which is warm and active, is insufficient or overpowered by Yin energy, which is cool and passive. Symptoms of Cold in TCM can include a general feeling of coldness, cold limbs, pale complexion, low energy, slow metabolism, and a preference for warmth. ... see more
Common Symptoms: Frequent Urination Enuresis Lower Back Pain Dizziness Nocturia White Urethral Discharge Chills Pale And Abudant Urination
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Bladder Deficient and Cold | Incontinence, Frequent urination, Pale and abudant urination, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Enuresis, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Nocturia, White urethral discharge, Chills... see more | Sang Piao Xiao San | Suo Quan Wan |
Bladder Deficiency with Cold | Incontinence, Confusion, Poor memory, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Lower back pain, Dizziness, White urethral discharge, Chills, Frequent urination, Cloudy urine, Pediatric nocturnal enuresis... see more | Sang Piao Xiao San |
Yang Collapse in TCM represents a severe and acute condition where the body's Yang energy, the driving force behind warmth and metabolic function, is drastically depleted. This state is more critical than a simple Yang deficiency and is considered an emergency in TCM. Symptoms of Yang Collapse include extreme coldness, especially in the limbs, a feeling of cold that is unrelieved by warmth, profuse cold sweating, shallow breathing, and a very weak and slow pulse. There may also be signs of severe metabolic slowing, such as lethargy, drowsiness, or even loss of consciousness, alongside pale or bluish complexion. Yang Collapse requires urgent treatment to rescue the patient from a potentially life-threatening state. The focus is on rapidly warming and reviving the Yang energy. ... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Collapse of Yang | Incontinence, Low energy, Chills, Cold extremities, Bright pale face, Sweating on forehead, Absence of thirst, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Frequent urination, Diarrhea... see more | Shen Fu Tang | Hui Yang Jiu Ji Tang |
Yang deficiency in TCM refers to a state where the body's Yang energy, which is responsible for warmth, activity, and function, is weakened or diminished. This pattern of disharmony often arises from chronic illness, aging, or inherent constitutional weakness. Symptoms of Yang deficiency are typically associated with cold and sluggishness, such as a feeling of coldness, cold extremities, pale complexion, low energy or fatigue, and a desire for warmth. Digestive issues like poor appetite, loose stools, and water retention can also be indicative of Yang deficiency.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Kidney Yang Deficiency | Incontinence, Incontinence of urine, 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... see more | Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan | Shen Qi Wan | You Gui Wan | Tu Si Zi Wan | Ba Wei Di Huang Wan | Er Xian Tang | Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan | Ji Chuan Jian |
Yang Excess in TCM refers to a state where there is an overabundance of Yang energy, leading to symptoms of heat and hyperactivity in the body. This pattern of disharmony often arises from factors like stress, excessive physical activity, overconsumption of spicy or heating foods, or an internal imbalance that causes Yang to flare up. Symptoms of Yang Excess include a feeling of heat, red face, irritability, restlessness, thirst, constipation, and a rapid, forceful pulse. Treatment in TCM for Yang Excess aims to cool down and subdue the excessive Yang while nurturing Yin energy to restore balance.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Bladder Deficiency with Cold | Incontinence, Confusion, Poor memory, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Lower back pain, Dizziness, White urethral discharge, Chills, Frequent urination, Cloudy urine, Pediatric nocturnal enuresis... see more | Sang Piao Xiao San |
Qi Deficiency in TCM is like running low on battery power. Qi is the vital energy that powers every function in your body. When there's a Qi Deficiency, it means your body doesn't have enough of this essential energy. This can make you feel tired all the time, weak, or even cause shortness of breath. It's similar to how you feel when you haven't had enough sleep or nutritious food. Your body just doesn't have the energy it needs to perform at its best. Unlike modern medicine, which often focuses on specific physical causes for fatigue and weakness, TCM views Qi Deficiency as an overall energy depletion that affects your entire well-being, and it seeks to replenish and balance this vital energy.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
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Kidney Qi not Firm | Incontinence of urine, 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... see more | You Gui Wan | Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan | Fu Tu Dan | Qing E Wan | Tu Si Zi Wan |
Qi Sinking is a pattern of disharmony in TCM where the body's energy, or Qi, is thought to "sink" or drop down. Imagine a balloon slowly deflating and falling; that's similar to what happens with Qi Sinking. This can lead to feelings of heaviness, fatigue, and even physical symptoms like prolapse of organs or frequent urination. It's as if the body's energy, which usually supports and holds things in place, isn't able to do its job properly. TCM views this as an imbalance where the uplifting and supporting qualities of Qi are weakened.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
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Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking | Incontinence of urine, 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, Low energy, Intestines prolapse, Vaginal prolapse... see more | Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang | Du Shen Tang |
In TCM the Bladder plays a crucial role beyond its basic function of storing and excreting urine. It is intimately connected with the Kidney system, helping to regulate the body's water balance and being a key component in the processing and elimination of fluids. The Bladder also influences the lower part of the body and the back. When it malfunctions or is imbalanced in TCM, it can lead to urinary issues like frequent urination, incontinence, or painful urination. Additionally, there may be problems related to its meridian pathway, such as lower back pain, stiffness, or weakness in the legs. The Bladder’s condition in TCM can also reflect emotional states, with imbalances potentially leading to feelings of fear or anxiety.... see more
Common Symptoms: Frequent Urination Enuresis Lower Back Pain Dizziness Nocturia White Urethral Discharge Chills Pale And Abudant Urination
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Bladder Deficient and Cold | Incontinence, Frequent urination, Pale and abudant urination, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Enuresis, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Nocturia, White urethral discharge, Chills... see more | Sang Piao Xiao San | Suo Quan Wan |
Bladder Deficiency with Cold | Incontinence, Confusion, Poor memory, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Lower back pain, Dizziness, White urethral discharge, Chills, Frequent urination, Cloudy urine, Pediatric nocturnal enuresis... see more | Sang Piao Xiao San |
In TCM the Kidneys are regarded as the body's most fundamental reservoir of Essence, known as Jing, which influences growth, reproduction, and aging. They are not just organs for filtering blood, but a holistic system governing vital life forces. When the Kidneys malfunction in TCM, it can manifest as a variety of health issues, such as chronic fatigue, reproductive problems, imbalances in fluid metabolism leading to edema or dryness, lower back pain, and a sense of fear or insecurity.... see more
Common Symptoms: Lower Back Pain Chills Generalized Fatigue Premature Ejaculation Cold Extremities Nocturnal Emission Frequent Urination Urine Dribbling
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Kidney Yang Deficiency | Incontinence, Incontinence of urine, 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... see more | Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan | Shen Qi Wan | You Gui Wan | Tu Si Zi Wan | Ba Wei Di Huang Wan | Er Xian Tang | Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan | Ji Chuan Jian |
Kidney Qi not Firm | Incontinence of urine, 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... see more | You Gui Wan | Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan | Fu Tu Dan | Qing E Wan | Tu Si Zi Wan |
To address urinary or fecal incontinence, TCM relies on formulas that strengthen the body's Yang energy and secure the essence. For conditions stemming from Bladder Deficiency and Cold, formulas like Sang Piao Xiao San, which includes Praying Mantis Egg-Cases, and Suo Quan Wan, featuring Sharp-Leaf Galangal Fruits, are commonly prescribed to warm the Bladder and stabilize Essence.
In cases of Yang Collapse, remedies such as Shen Fu Tang and Hui Yang Jiu Ji Tang, which contain potent Yang-tonifying herbs like Ginseng and Prepared aconite, are used to rescue devastated Yang and restore vitality. These treatments, by targeting the specific patterns of disharmony causing incontinence, offer a nuanced approach to improving bladder and bowel control.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address urinary or fecal incontinence, organized by cause and by formula type.
Suitable for Cold patterns that may cause urinary or fecal incontinence, such as Bladder Deficient and Cold or Bladder Deficiency with Cold
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
Sang Piao Xiao San | Bladder Deficient and Cold, Bladder Deficiency with Cold |
Suo Quan Wan | Bladder Deficient and Cold |
Suitable for Yang Collapse patterns that may cause urinary or fecal incontinence, such as Collapse of Yang
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
Shen Fu Tang | Collapse of Yang |
Hui Yang Jiu Ji Tang | Collapse of Yang |
Suitable for Yang Deficiency patterns that may cause urinary or fecal incontinence, such as Kidney Yang Deficiency
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
You Gui Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
Tu Si Zi Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
Shen Qi Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
Er Xian Tang | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
Ji Chuan Jian | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
Suitable for Yang Excess patterns that may cause urinary or fecal incontinence, such as Bladder Deficiency with Cold
Learn moreSuitable for Qi Deficiency patterns that may cause urinary or fecal incontinence, such as Kidney Qi not Firm
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
You Gui Wan | Kidney Qi not Firm |
Tu Si Zi Wan | Kidney Qi not Firm |
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan | Kidney Qi not Firm |
Fu Tu Dan | Kidney Qi not Firm |
Qing E Wan | Kidney Qi not Firm |
Suitable for Qi Sinking patterns that may cause urinary or fecal incontinence, such as Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang | Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking |
Du Shen Tang | Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking |
These formulas are suitable for some urinary or fecal incontinence-causing patterns like Bladder Deficient and Cold or Bladder Deficiency with Cold.
One such formula is Sang Piao Xiao San, with praying mantis egg-Case as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
---|---|
Sang Piao Xiao San | Bladder Deficient and Cold, Bladder Deficiency with Cold |
Suo Quan Wan | Bladder Deficient and Cold |
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan | Kidney Qi not Firm |
Fu Tu Dan | Kidney Qi not Firm |
These formulas are suitable for some urinary or fecal incontinence-causing patterns like Kidney Yang Deficiency or Kidney Qi not Firm.
One such formula is You Gui Wan, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
---|---|
You Gui Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency, Kidney Qi not Firm |
Tu Si Zi Wan | Kidney Qi not Firm, Kidney Yang Deficiency |
Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
Shen Qi Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
Qing E Wan | Kidney Qi not Firm |
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
These formulas are suitable for some urinary or fecal incontinence-causing patterns like Collapse of Yang.
One such formula is Shen Fu Tang, with ginseng as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
---|---|
Shen Fu Tang | Collapse of Yang |
Hui Yang Jiu Ji Tang | Collapse of Yang |
Du Shen Tang | Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking |
These formulas are suitable for some urinary or fecal incontinence-causing patterns like Kidney Yang Deficiency.
One such formula is Er Xian Tang, with curculigo rhizome as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
---|---|
Er Xian Tang | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang | Not applicable |
These formulas are suitable for some urinary or fecal incontinence-causing patterns like Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking.
One such formula is Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
---|---|
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang | Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking |
Bu Fei Tang | Not applicable |
These formulas are suitable for some urinary or fecal incontinence-causing patterns like Kidney Yang Deficiency.
One such formula is Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, with prepared rehmannia as a key herb.
These formulas are suitable for some urinary or fecal incontinence-causing patterns like Kidney Yang Deficiency.
One such formula is Ji Chuan Jian, with desert-living cistanche as a key herb.
Urinary or fecal incontinence can be treated by these formulas when it is due to cold in the middle jiao (digestive region), necessitating warming and cold-dispelling actions.
One such formula is Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
Urinary or fecal incontinence can be treated by these formulas when there's an imbalance between the Liver and Spleen systems, often manifesting as digestive disturbances and emotional fluctuations.
One such formula is Si Ni San, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
Explore below some acupoints used to address urinary or fecal incontinence, organized by meridian.
At the level of the 4th posterior sacral foramen, 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior midline.
At the lateral end of the popliteal crease, on the medial border of the tendon of biceps femoris muscle, 1 cun lateral to Weizhong BL-40 which is the midpoint of the popliteal crease. It is also 1 cun below Fuxi BL-38.
5 cun inferior to Weizhong BL-40 which is the midpoint of the popliteal crease. In the center of the belly of gastrocnemius muscle, midway between Heyang BL-55 and Chengshan BL-57.
On the midline of the abdomen, 3 cun below the umbilicus.
On the midline of the abdomen, 1.5 cun below the umbilicus.