Urinary and reproductive health
Signs of urinary tract and genital organs may range from frequent urination, loss of urine or pain when passing urine to prostate problems, vaginal complaints and sexual problems. Some symptoms occur suddenly, while others develop gradually or return regularly. They may affect daily activities, sleep, intimacy and quality of life.
The causes are very different. For example, pee may be associated with urinary tract infection, overactive bladder, pelvic floor problems or prostate problems. genital and sexual complaints may include physical, hormonal and psychological factors.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used in various urinary tract, genital and sexual complaints. The treatment is tailored to the specific complaint, possible cause and underlying TCM pattern.
Common complaints
Complaints may relate to the urinary tract, male or female genital organs and sexual function. These include first the symptoms and conditions for which a separate page is available or is being worked out.
Urinary tract
- frequent urination and urinary incontinence;
- difficulty in urination; difficulty urinating
- painful urination;
- turbid urine
- night peeing;
- strong or sudden urges;
- difficulty in holding urine;
- weak or interrupted urinary stream;
- feeling that the bladder is not completely empty;
- bladder pain.
Male sexual organs
- benign prostate enlargement (BPH);
- prostatitis;
- erectile dysfunction;
- male fertility problems;
- swellings and lumps in the scrotum; swellings and nodules in the scrotum
- decreased libido;
- pain in the genital area;
- pain during or after making love;
- pelvic pain.
Female sexual organs
- vaginal dryness;
- vaginal itching;
- vaginal discharge;
- pain during or after making love;
- decreased libido;
- pain in the genital area;
- pelvic pain.
The nature and cause of these complaints may vary considerably. On the individual complaint pages you can read more about possible causes, treatment and when further medical research is important.
Western disorders
Signs of urinary tract and genital organs may occur in a variety of conditions. Examples are:
- urinary tract infection and bladder inflammation;
- overactive bladder;
- urinary incontinence;
- interstitial cystitis / bladder pain syndrome;
- benign prostate enlargement (BPH);
- prostatitis;
- erectile dysfunction;
- varicocèle, hydrocele and other swellings in the scrotum;
- vaginal disorders and changes in mucous membranes;
- pelvic floor problems;
- chronic pelvic pain;
- male fertility problems.
A medical diagnosis can provide important information about the cause and treatment. New, severe or unexplained symptoms, blood in the urine, fever in urinary tract problems or problems in urinating require medical assessment. A new nodule or swelling in or around a seedball should also be investigated.
Possible causes
Urinary tract and genital symptoms can have many different causes. Infections and inflammation, for example, can cause pain, burning, discharge and frequent urge. Problems with the pelvic floor can contribute to urine loss, difficulty urination, pelvic pain and sexual complaints.
Also hormonal changes, pregnancy and childbirth, aging, neurological disorders, certain medications and disorders of bladder, kidneys or prostate may play a role. In addition, sexual complaints can affect blood circulation, hormones, medication, stress and other psychological factors. The original page mentions this broad combination of possible causes already.
The factors which are relevant vary greatly from one complaint to another. Therefore, a consultation will look at the origin and course of the complaints and at other physical and mental factors that may be related to the picture of complaints.
What can acupuncture do?
Acupuncture treatment is tailored to the specific complaint and your personal situation. In recurrent urges, for example, different treatment principles may be central to urine loss, chronic pelvic pain, vaginal symptoms or erectile dysfunction.
Depending on the complaint, acupuncture may focus on:
- support a normal bladder function;
- reduce frequent or strong urges;
- supporting bladder control in case of urine loss;
- support easier urination;
- reduce pain, irritation and tension in the pelvic area;
- reduce genital symptoms such as pain or discomfort;
- supporting sexual function;
- support recovery and capacity for activity in the case of long-term complaints.
The precise treatment is also determined by the underlying TCM pattern. On the individual complaint pages this is discussed in more detail.
What can Chinese herbal medicine do?
Chinese herbal medicine can be used in various urinary tract, genital and sexual complaints. The herbs are tailored to the specific symptoms and the underlying TCM pattern. This allows two people with the same Western diagnosis to receive a different herbal treatment.
Depending on the grievance picture, Chinese herbal medicine can focus on:
- support bladder and urinary tract function;
- reduce frequent urge or loss of urine;
- reduce recurrent urinary problems;
- reduce pain, irritation or other discomfort;
- supporting moisture management;
- treat vaginal and other genital complaints;
- supporting sexual function;
- strengthen the body when prolonged symptoms are associated with fatigue or general weakness.
Chinese herbs can be used daily between treatments. The treatment of acute urinary tract symptoms, for example, is very different from that of chronic puddle, genital or sexual complaints.
How does Chinese medicine view urinary and genital symptoms?
Chinese medicine considers more than the name of a complaint or condition. How symptoms present is also important. For urinary symptoms, this includes how often someone urinates, the amount, colour and clarity of urine, any urgency or leakage, and whether there is pain or burning. For genital and sexual symptoms, factors such as dryness, discharge, pain, libido and how symptoms develop are considered. This overall picture also forms the starting point for this page.
For these complaints, the TCM organ systems Kidney, Bladder, Spleen and Liver are especially important.
Within TCM, the kidney is linked to the regulation of body fluids, urinary tract, reproduction, sexual function and changes during life. The Bladder plays an important role in storing and releasing urine.
The Spleen is involved in the processing and distribution of moisture and in supporting and retaining body functions. A weakening of this can be associated, for example, with fluid accumulation, urine loss or a heavy and sinking feeling.
The Liver is linked to the free movement of Qi. When this flow is obstructed, tension and stress can affect bladder function, pelvic area and sexual function.
In addition, concepts such as Dampness, Heat, Yin, Yang, Qi and Blood are used to distinguish different complaints from each other. For example, Dampness can express itself in urinary tract complaints as well as in genital complaints, while a shortage of Kidney-Yin, for example, may be associated with dryness and heat phenomena.
What is a TCM organ system?
A TCM organ system describes a group of related body functions and is wider than just the anatomical organ with the same name. Read more at TCM basics .
What is a TCM pattern?
A TCM pattern is a recognizable combination of complaints and physical characteristics that indicates which imbalance is likely to contribute to the complaints. Read more at TCM basics .
Below are only some common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns can occur at the same time. This allows you to recognize yourself in different descriptions. Also, someone with a certain pattern does not have to have all the symptoms mentioned. The pattern is determined based on the overall picture of complaints.
On the individual complaint pages, the relevant patterns are discussed in more detail.
Common TCM patterns
Dampness(-Heat)
Brief explanation
Dampness is used within Chinese medicine for a build-up of moisture that can impede normal body functions. When there are also clear signs of heat or irritation, Dampness-Heat is mentioned.
Depending on where Dampness manifests itself, both urinary complaints and genital complaints can occur. Dampness without a clear Heat is more likely to present a heavy, humid or chronic symptoms. Dampness-Heat is more often the focus of irritation, burning, redness or a stronger smell.
Common symptoms
- frequent or urgent urination;
- turbid urine
- pressure or heavy feeling in the abdomen or pelvis;
- vaginal discharge;
- itching, irritation or feeling heavy around the sexual organs;
- in Dampness-Heat: burning or painful urination;
- in Dampness-Heat: dark or strong smelling urine;
- in Dampness-Heat: heat or redness around the sexual organs;
- with Dampness-Heat, vaginal secretion may be yellower or more pronounced;
- sometimes feeling heavy in the body or indigestion.
Kidney-Qi-deficiency
Brief explanation
Within TCM, kidney-Qi plays an important role in regulating and holding urine. When this function is weakened, control of the Bladder can be reduced.
Common symptoms
- frequent urination;
- night peeing;
- urine loss;
- strong urge and difficulty in holding urine;
- feeble urine flow;
- drips;
- fatigue;
- weakness or a nagging sensation in the lower back;
- symptoms that become clearer with fatigue or physical stress.
Kidney-Yang-deficiency
Brief explanation
Yang describes, among other things, heating and activating functions within TCM. When Kidney-Yang is weakened, urinary tract and sexual complaints can be associated with obvious cold and general energy reduction.
Common symptoms
- frequent urination;
- a lot of clear urine;
- often have to pee at night;
- urine loss or reduced control of the Bladder;
- a weak urine flow;
- decreased libido;
- erectile dysfunction;
- sexual complaints associated with cold and tiredness;
- crotchiness and cold hands and feet;
- fatigue;
- weak or painful lower back and knees.
Kidney-Yin-deficiency
Brief explanation
Within TCM, kidney-Yin represents the nourishing, moistening and cooling functions of the kidney system. When kidney-Yin is insufficient, dryness and relative heat can occur.
This pattern may present urinary problems as well as sexual and genital complaints and is seen, among other things, in complaints around and after the menopause.
Common symptoms
- vaginal dryness;
- dryness or sensitivity of mucous membranes;
- pain or discomfort during sex due to dryness;
- frequent urination or slight irritation of the urinary tract;
- may prevent decreased libido;
- dry mouth or throat;
- feeling of warmth in the evening or night;
- warm palms and soles of feet;
- hot flushes or night sweats;
- restlessness or poor sleep;
- weak or painful lower back and knees.
Spleen-Qi-deficiency
Brief explanation
The Spleen plays an important role in the processing and distribution of nutrition and body fluids within TCM. Spleen-Qi also helps to support and keep tissues and body functions in place.
When Spleen-Qi is weakened, fluid accumulation, insufficient control and a heavy or low feeling may occur.
Common symptoms
- urine loss, especially in case of fatigue or exercise;
- difficulty in passing urine when you are tired;
- feeling heavy or depressed in the abdomen or pelvis;
- Sagging complaints;
- vaginal discharge, especially when associated with other signs of Dampness;
- fluid retention;
- fatigue and low energy;
- low appetite;
- bloated abdomen;
- loose stools.
Liver-Qi-stagnation
Brief explanation
The Liver is connected to the free flow of Qi within TCM. When this movement is obstructed, tension and stress can affect the bladder, pelvic area and sexual function.
Characteristic is that the complaints often change with emotional tension or stress.
Common symptoms
- tension or pain in the abdomen or pelvic area;
- difficulty in passing urine that worsens during stress;
- strong pressure that changes with stress;
- tense pelvic floor or other strained muscles;
- pain or discomfort around the sexual organs;
- sexual complaints that are clearly related to tension;
- erectile dysfunctions that occur especially during stress;
- decreased libido in the event of stress;
- pain during or after making love;
- in women, possibly pelvic or genital symptoms that worsen around menstrual periods;
- irritability, frustration or difficulty in relaxing.
These patterns give a general picture of how various urinary tract, genital and sexual complaints within TCM can have overlaps. For example, Dampness can occur in both urine problems and vaginal discharge, while Kidney-Yin deficiency can give both urinary irritation and vaginal dryness.
Which patterns are especially relevant varies per complaint. Therefore, more and more specific patterns are discussed on the individual Level 3 pages.
A personal treatment
What treatment is appropriate depends on the specific complaint, the cause, how long the complaints last and the overall picture of complaints. An acute urinary tract complaint, for example, requires a different approach than prolonged incontinence, prostate symptoms, vaginal dryness or sexual complaints.
During the course of treatment, the symptoms change and the treatment is adjusted where necessary. For long-term or complex complaints, more time is usually needed than for recent complaints.
On the individual complaint pages you can read more about the expected course of treatment for a specific complaint or condition.
Medical safety
Urinary and genital symptoms are often well examined and treated, but some symptoms require medical assessment.
Please contact your doctor at:
- blood in urine;
- fever or chills in case of urinary discomfort;
- severe pain in the side, abdomen, pelvis or sexual organs;
- suddenly unable to urinate or barely pee anymore;
- new neurological symptoms in combination with problems with urine;
- a new or unexplained lump or swelling in or around a testicle;
- sudden severe pain in a sperm ball;
- persistent or clearly increasing complaints without known cause.
What medical assessment is required depends on the specific complaint.
Contact
Do you suffer from urinary or genital complaints and want to know if acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine can fit with your symptoms? During a first consultation we discuss the specific symptoms, course, medical history and other relevant physical and mental symptoms.
On the basis of the overall complaint picture, it is considered which TCM pattern is likely to be at the forefront and which treatment fits in with it.