Urinary incontinence is a common condition with aging, especially among women who have had children. Common actions such as coughing, sneezing, or laughing can lead to embarrassing involuntary losses of urine with incontinence. There are several underlying causes of incontinence according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

1. Qi Deficiency and Urinary Incontinence

In TCM the Kidneys "govern water", and are in charge of the metabolism of urination. Kidney Qi helps to hold the urine in the Bladder; therefore, Kidney Qi Deficiency could be the root cause of an urinary incontinence or an overactive bladder. 

2. Kidney Yin Deficiency and Urinary Incontinence

Bladder function and the Chinese medical Yin-Yang theory can also point to certain patterns of imbalance. The bladder’s ability to hold urine is a Yin function. With Kidney Yin Deficiency, the bladder will not be able to hold the urine.

3. Kidney Yang Deficiency and Urinary Incontinence

Yang Deficiency would be common with urinary problems associated with prostate issues, but is also seen in women. Urinary incontinence associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency would include symptoms such as: clear urine, profuse pale urination, lower backache, a feeling of coldness throughout the body, impotence and decreased libido. Continue to read Chinese Medicine Treatment for Frequent Urination.