Acupuncture for Erectile Dysfunction

How Chinese medicine understands erectile dysfunction

In Chinese medicine, a healthy erection depends on the Kidneys, which are seen as the root of sexual energy, on the Liver channel, which runs through the genitals, and on free-flowing Qi and Blood. When any of these is weak or blocked, function suffers.

The common patterns are:

• Kidney Yang deficiency. Weak erections with a cold feeling in the lower back and legs, tiredness, frequent urination at night and low desire. More common with age.
• Kidney Yin deficiency. Erections that come but do not last, with night sweats, a dry mouth, poor sleep and sometimes early ejaculation.
• Liver Qi stagnation. Stress, frustration and performance anxiety that cut across desire. Often in younger men whose general health is good.
• Heart and Spleen deficiency. Worry, poor sleep, low appetite and tiredness, with desire that fades.
• Damp-heat in the lower body. A heavy, damp feeling in the groin, sweating there, and sometimes urinary discomfort. Chinese medicine links this to rich food and alcohol.

Warming a cold, tired pattern is the opposite of clearing damp-heat, so the diagnosis changes the treatment.

What treatment involves

The first visit includes a lot of questions: how long the problem has been there, whether morning erections still happen, your sleep, stress, energy, digestion and urination, and your medical conditions and medicines. I look at your tongue and take your pulse.

Acupuncture for erectile dysfunction commonly uses points on the lower belly, lower back, legs and arms, chosen for your pattern. Treatment is aimed at supporting circulation and energy, and at easing the stress and anxiety that often make things worse.

Chinese herbal medicine is often part of the plan, because this is an internal pattern: a formula written for you and dispensed at the clinic. Do not buy “male enhancement” herbal products online. Some have been found to contain hidden prescription drugs. Where the pattern is cold, moxibustion may be used on the lower back or belly.

Plan on 5–10 treatments to judge progress. The clinic is in Keswick, and treatment runs alongside the care of your family doctor or urologist. Research on acupuncture for erectile dysfunction is still developing.

Between visits

• Move every day. Regular exercise supports blood flow, and a brisk walk is a good start.
• Stop smoking and cut back on alcohol. Both affect circulation.
• Keep an eye on the numbers. Blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol all matter for erections as well as the heart.
• Sleep well. Poor sleep and untreated sleep apnoea are linked with low testosterone and erectile problems.
• Talk to your partner. Pressure and silence tend to feed performance anxiety.

When to see your doctor first

See your doctor before starting treatment, or promptly if you are already coming in, if you have:

• Erectile dysfunction that is new, especially if you also have chest pain, shortness of breath on exertion, or leg pain when walking.
• Diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease that has not been checked recently.
• Pain, a curve or a lump in the penis.
• Problems passing urine, blood in the urine or semen, or pain in the pelvis.
• Low mood, or thoughts of harming yourself. In a crisis, call or text 9-8-8, or call 911.

Go to emergency for an erection that lasts more than four hours.