What are the causes of kidney deficiency in men?
Dec 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Common causes of kidney deficiency in men include overexertion and physical depletion, unhealthy lifestyle habits, imbalanced diet, long-term damage from chronic diseases, and emotional imbalances leading to stagnation and blockages. If symptoms such as persistent lower back and knee weakness, dizziness, tinnitus, or reduced sexual function occur, timely medical evaluation is recommended. Prolonged overwork, frequent late nights, excessive exercise, and similar factors can continuously
Common causes of kidney deficiency in men include excessive physical strain and overexertion, unhealthy lifestyle habits, imbalanced diet, long-term depletion from chronic diseases, and emotional imbalances leading to stagnation and blockages. If symptoms such as persistent lower back and knee weakness, dizziness, tinnitus, or reduced sexual function occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation.
1. Overwork and physical overexertion: Prolonged periods of excessive work, frequent late nights, and over-exercising continuously deplete kidney essence and qi, leading to diminished organ function and gradually causing kidney deficiency. This is commonly seen among individuals in high-pressure professions or those who over-train in fitness.
2. Unhealthy lifestyle habits: Long-term smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, irregular sleep patterns, and uncontrolled sexual activity can directly impair kidney function and disrupt the body's yin-yang balance, triggering symptoms related to kidney deficiency. This is one of the primary contributing factors for kidney deficiency in young and middle-aged adults.
3. Imbalanced diet: A prolonged preference for spicy, stimulating, greasy, or rich-flavored foods, or extreme dieting and malnutrition, can impair the digestive functions of the spleen and stomach, preventing adequate nourishment of kidney essence and ultimately leading to kidney deficiency.
4. Long-term depletion from chronic diseases: Chronic conditions such as nephritis, diabetes, and hypertension, if left untreated over time, continuously damage kidney tissues and consume vital substances like qi, blood, and body fluids, gradually resulting in kidney deficiency—often presenting as secondary kidney deficiency.
5. Emotional imbalance and stagnation: Persistent negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and irritability can lead to stagnation of qi flow, impairing the kidney’s ability to store essence. Over time, this may result in kidney deficiency, commonly observed in individuals under significant emotional stress.
Treatment focuses on regulating organ function and replenishing kidney essence. Symptom-specific traditional Chinese medicine may be taken under medical supervision. For supportive care, maintain regular作息 (daily routines), engage in moderate exercise, follow a balanced diet rich in kidney-nourishing foods such as Chinese yam and goji berries, practice moderation in sexual activity, and maintain a positive mood to promote kidney recovery.
