What symptom is commonly seen with Kidney Yang deficiency?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Kidney Yang deficiency is associated with a variety of symptoms that reflect a lack of warmth and nourishment in the body. One prominent symptom of Kidney Yang deficiency is joint pain and discomfort. This occurs because Yang energy is responsible for providing warmth and the functional aspects to the whole body, especially to the joints. When Yang is deficient, it can lead to an accumulation of cold, which manifests as pain in the joints, often described as a deep, aching discomfort that may become worse during colder weather or after exposure to cold.

The other options reflect symptoms that might be associated with various other conditions in TCM. Dream-disturbed sleep, while it can occur in some Kidney imbalances, is more commonly linked to Liver Qi stagnation or Heart Yin deficiency. A dry cough with sticky sputum could suggest phlegm or Lung issues rather than a specific Kidney Yang deficiency. Scanty menstrual flow may correlate with Blood deficiencies or Spleen conditions, rather than directly with Kidney Yang. Therefore, the primary symptom of joint pain and discomfort serves as a key indicator of Kidney Yang deficiency, emphasizing the importance of warmth and proper function in maintaining health.