Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Men’s Sexual Dysfunction

Men’s sexual dysfunction affects a large portion of the male population and yet it is a topic that is often difficult to talk about even for the most confident of men. But learning and talking about it can help men and their partners understand and manage this common condition. Thankfully, sexual dysfunction is now better understood medically than ever before, and integrated approaches of western medicine with traditional Chinese medicine has been highly effective at treating men’s sexual dysfunction.

The Facts

Male sexual dysfunction can generally be divided into 3 main categories: 1) low libido, 2) erectile dysfunction (ED), and 3) ejaculatory dysfunction. Due to its pivotal role in sexual activity, ED gained the most attention out of the three disorders. Erectile dysfunction (ED), based on different researches, affects approximately 45% of men in the U.S. between the ages of 40 to 70 in different severities. Erectile dysfunction (ED) defined by National Institutes of Health (NIH) as --- “A condition in which you are unable to get or keep an erection firm enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse.” The dysfunction ranges from a mild degree that can get an erection sometimes to a severe degree that is unable to get an erection at any time. The cause of ED is wide spread with a significant array of risk factors, including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking, psychological disorders, hypogonadism, medications, and cholesterol.

The Treatment

As reflected from its wide array of causes, the treatment for ED has been widely diversified as well. Strong evidence exists that, other than those that require surgical intervention for penile structural issues, PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) are the most effective and relatively safe choices for erectile dysfunction. However, even as effective as PED5 inhibitors are, there are areas --- the libido and premature ejaculation (PE) --- that PDE5 inhibitors cannot cover. Scientists came up with solutions such as life coaching, making life-style changes, psychotherapy and medication to improve libido. Drugs such as synthetic testosterone have been used to boost the libido, and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been used to prolong ejaculatory latency. Unfortunately, even though SSRIs are recommended for ED, they are also the drugs that can cause ED. As for synthetic testosterone, not only does its function limited to treating people with hypogonadism, but it carries the risk of causing prostate cancer. PDE5 inhibitors and testosterone are functional to their relative ailments, however, in dealing with the most prevalent male sexual disorder --- premature ejaculation --- neither one did well. So, where to find a helping hand? The answer is Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Treating Sexual Dysfunction with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, has been serving Chinese people --- from royal families to ordinary civilians --- in all aspects of health issues, including sexual dysfunction, for thousands of years. TCM believes that a balanced body tends to have better sexual performance. TCM approaches sexual dysfunction in a holistic manner and uses its two most powerful tools --- acupuncture and herbal medicine --- to conduct the treatment. In the modern era of TCM, a good number of Chinese herbs have been proven through research to have the function of increasing arterial circulation to sex-related organs. Such a function does not just help genital erection, but it also vitalizes the “hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis” and vital Qi to promote libido and energy. The enhanced vital Qi from acupuncture and Chinese herbs helps to prompt ejaculatory latency. Such kind of approach from TCM appears to be more comprehensive.

The Benefit of Integration

TCM takes care of sexual dysfunction from the fundamental aspect and has been documented as effective in numerous works of ancient and modern Chinese literature. However, there is one apparent shortcoming in TCM --- a sound restoration takes time to achieve. Depending on the patient’s situation, the restoration of sexual function can be from days to months before seeing the result. Such latency cannot fulfill immediate needs. Therefore, combining TCM with PDE5 inhibitors for sexual dysfunction may be the best option in the modern world. TCM repairs the health foundation and brings up needed vital Qi for libido/ejaculation, and PDE5 inhibitors provide the instant help of genital erection. One restores the fundamental health for sexual energy and stamina, the other one provides an instantaneous help with genital erection. Such integration appears to be more comprehensive and much more possible in making sexual activity fun and joyful.

How ACU4U Can Help

If you are experiencing sexual dysfunction, come visit our acupuncture and Chinese medicine clinic. Start your journey towards better quality of life by scheduling a free 30-minute private consultation so that your concerns and questions are answered thoroughly by one of our experienced practitioners.

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