Middle age does not necessarily mean kidney deficiency; moderation in sexual activity is key to conserving essence.

Middle-aged people don't necessarily need to tonify their kidneys.

As people age, they often equate "middle age" with "kidney deficiency." Coupled with advertising claims such as "nine out of ten men suffer from kidney deficiency" and "fatigue is a sign of kidney deficiency," many middle-aged people struggling to make a living constantly feel that they have kidney deficiency.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the "kidney" is not the same as the "kidney organ" in Western medicine. It is considered the "foundation of innate essence" and the "root of life," encompassing the functions of several bodily systems. The kidney stores essence, nourishes bone marrow and brain marrow, regulates reproductive and urinary functions, and plays a vital role in growth, development, and the life process. Because men often lack a proper understanding of "kidney deficiency," they tend to equate it with "decreased sexual ability," similar to erectile dysfunction (ED) in Western medicine, thus creating unnecessary psychological burden. This manifests as men's deep-seated aversion to being told they are "incapable." Therefore, the mere mention of kidney deficiency makes men feel insecure and guilty.

In fact, men don't need to worry about kidney deficiency. "Kidney deficiency" is often caused by high levels of psychological stress. Statistics show that a significant number of men who claim to have "kidney deficiency" don't actually experience any symptoms. Even if they do, it doesn't necessarily mean decreased sexual function; it could be other symptoms such as tinnitus, dizziness, and palpitations. Therefore, the claim that "90% of Chinese men have kidney deficiency" is an exaggeration. And as a decline in physiological function, men shouldn't feel ashamed or guilty about kidney deficiency.

While aging is inevitable, its process is manageable. Some people show signs of premature aging as soon as they enter their forties; others, though nearing sixty, remain vigorous. The key lies in the strength of their kidney qi. To maintain vigorous kidney qi, one should pay attention to balancing work and rest, moderating sexual activity, exercising regularly, treating chronic diseases promptly, and engaging in targeted tonification in daily life.

The frequency of sexual activity varies from person to person. Generally speaking, it is advisable to have sex in a way that leaves one feeling refreshed and relaxed the day afterward. In terms of age, young couples should have sex 2-3 times a week, while middle-aged couples should have sex 1-2 times a week. Therefore, daily kidney health requires attention to moderation in sexual activity; it should not be forced or excessive.

To conserve essence and nourish the kidneys, sexual activity must be moderate.

Modern people, especially young people, tend to be more open-minded and begin cohabiting and having sex at a young age. Traditional Chinese medicine has a saying, "Desire should not be premature," meaning that desire should not be premature. Excessive desire depletes essence (jing), and if a person's essence and blood are damaged, symptoms such as blurred vision, dull eyes, muscle wasting, and tooth loss may occur. Therefore, health preservation lies in nurturing, and the most important aspect of preserving essence and protecting the kidneys is moderation in sexual activity.

Premature sexual activity depletes a man's essence, which can cause significant harm to his health in the future. Therefore, ancient health practitioners have always emphasized the importance of rationality and the ability to control one's body and sexual desires. Otherwise, one will deplete their essence and lose their vital energy due to lust.

In addition, to preserve one's vital energy and prevent excessive loss of yin essence, besides avoiding early sexual activity, one should also pay attention to seasonal changes during intercourse. The body's functional state changes accordingly with the seasons, and sexual function varies in intensity. Adjusting the frequency of sexual activity based on the season and the strength of sexual arousal can help prevent sexual dysfunction and maintain good health.

The book *Essentials of Nourishing Life* states: "In spring, ejaculate once every three days; in summer and autumn, ejaculate once a month; in winter, abstain from ejaculation. The way of Heaven is to store Yang in winter; if people follow this, they can achieve longevity. One act of ejaculation in winter is equivalent to a hundred acts in spring." It suggests that sexual activity should be minimized in winter to preserve kidney Yang essence. Spring, the season of growth and reproduction, is suitable for sexual activity every 3-4 days, while summer and autumn are suitable for 1-2 times a month. While the saying "one act of ejaculation in winter is equivalent to a hundred acts in spring" is not scientifically accurate, the lower winter temperatures reduce metabolism and libido. Therefore, it is advisable to moderately restrict sexual activity and reduce its frequency to preserve kidney Yang, retain essence, and avoid depleting vital energy.

A person's vital energy is finite, and it will inevitably be greatly depleted over many years of excessive sexual activity. While one might not feel any significant changes in their body for three to five years, once illness develops, recovery becomes very difficult. Therefore, it is important to maintain a moderate attitude towards sexual activity.

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a person's blood and qi circulate through six meridians: Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang, Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Jueyin. It circulates through one meridian per day, completing the cycle in six days. Therefore, even the mildest external pathogenic factors generally take seven days to heal. During sexual intercourse, if a couple experiences palpitations, sweating, fever, and confusion, and semen is released, the qi and blood of that meridian are damaged. Once a meridian is damaged, it must wait seven days for the qi and blood to circulate back to that meridian for recovery. If semen is released again before the seven-day period, the meridian's qi and blood have not yet recovered, resulting in repeated damage. This leads to both external pathogenic factors and internal deficiencies. If this continues without adhering to the principle of seven-day recovery, a multitude of illnesses will accumulate over time. In fact, improper sexual desires such as masturbation also cause damage to qi and blood through semen leakage. Moreover, the delusions that arise in the mind accumulate over time, like a demonic obsession, making it difficult to escape such mental interference and torment.

Indulging in sexual desire can lead to endocrine disorders, weakened immune function, decreased resistance, metabolic abnormalities, increased disease incidence, and shortened lifespan. Many modern people do not understand how to follow the body's internal rhythms, nor do they know how to restrain and moderate their desires; instead, they follow their desires to amplify them. While there may not be a moral issue between spouses, they should not indulge themselves either.