Erectile dysfunction (impotence) in Chinese medicine
Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common problems in the world. Sexual dysfunction affects at least half of the male population at least once in their lives, even if it happens only once, as a result of excitement, stress or momentary pressure.
An erection is: the hardening of the penis due to stimulation (sensory, visual or voice).
Impotence is: the inability to reach a sufficient erection for sexual intercourse or the inability to sustain an erection long enough during sex. We’ll add to this definition premature ejaculation too. Premature ejaculation is the most common sexual difficulties for men of all ages, by definition, ejaculation before, during or two minutes after penetration, is considered premature.
The treatment in Western medicine:
There are drugs that relieve erectile dysfunction, but none of them was found very effective, except Viagra. There is also testosterone replacement option which is effective in treating men who suffer from low testosterone, in this case, treatment is given by injection once a week.
The penis function process:
During sexual activity, the penis becomes stiff and erect, in order to enable its penetration into the vagina as part of intercourse. Erection results from a complex interaction of nerves, blood vessels, hormones and psychological factors.
Various stimulation associated with the various senses induce brain reaction which sends nerve signals down the spinal cord to the penis. Arteries that supply blood to the body expands and dramatically increasing the blood supply to areas of the erection that become full with blood and expands. The muscles around the veins which are usually in charge of of draining the blood from them are now getting tighter. At the end of the process, high blood pressure in the penis is causing the growth of both length and circumference.
Ejaculation occurs at the peak of sexual excitement when the friction of the glans and other stimulation send signals to the brain and spinal cord, nerves stimulates muscle contractions along the testicular ducts, seminal vesicles and prostate. The contractions push sperm into the urethra and the surrounding muscles also contract and push the sperm so that it leaves the penis while the opening of the bladder shrinks and prevents sperm from flowing backwards.
After the ejaculation or after the stimulation has stopped – the arteries shrink and the veins become loose, this reduces blood flow to the penis and increase in the blood flow coming out of the penis until the penis becomes limp.
Erectile according to the Chinese medicine:
In the erection process blood must flow to the penis and cause it to increase it’s size and stiffness. When the mind is in harmony, there is focus in the penis and in creating desire and then proper flow of qi to the penis creates a feeling of warmth. Jing (the essence of the kidneys which is also the essence of life) must flow to the penis to make him ejaculate.
Erectile dysfunction by Chinese medicine:
A problem that is related to kidney Yang. Drug treatments do not strengthen the kidney Yang and therefore they make them weaker over time. Impotence is usually caused by a combination of several factors: hormonal imbalances, sexual dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system and mental and physical extortion. The inability to conduct normal sex life often becomes a psychological burden that only worsens the problem.
The reasons which could lead to impotence are:
- Physical: injury, a complication after surgery, nerve damage, blood vessel damage.
- Emotional: stress, depression, frustration, sadness and anxiety over time may lead to male impotency. Even excess sexual activity can lead to empty kidney essence.
- Neurological: damage to the connection between the brain and the penis – mind/visual/sensory stimulation.
- Hormonal: low testosterone is hormonal imbalance which causes a decrease in libido (the sex hormone testosterone is the primary male hormone produced in the testicles and is in charge of the creation of sperm and sex drive among other things).
- Heredity: genetic disorders from birth accompanied by physical damage, often this can harm fertility too.
- Age: decline in kidney function in aging, especially when the erectile dysfunction is generated due to the attrition of kidneys Yang. The aging process occurs naturally, but some people making this process go faster due to unhealthy lifestyle choices. Taoist scholars and physicists contributed significantly to the literature of Chinese medicine while taking into account the preservation of the body essence, seeking to slow the aging process. Physical causes are more common in older men, and deficiencies related to the spirit are more common in young men. Impotence becomes the more common with age, even though it is not considered part of the normal aging process, the reason is generally related to the erosion of the physical body: the penis needs to supply adequate blood to get an erection and vascular disorders (eg atherosclerosis, blood clots, blood vessel related surgery) effect the blood supply to the penis.
- Diabetes: this disease is a metabolic disease characterized by high level of glucose in the blood and urine. One of the major complications of diabetes is peripheral vascular injury. Most diabetics also take meds to lower blood pressure which makes it difficult to achieve erection.
- Fatty diet: consumption of too much fatty food and alcohol causes internal dampness that could flood the lower burner and damage the liver meridian and gallbladder. The heat can damage impotency directly.
- Drugs: vasodilators drugs and anti-depressant often cause a decrease in libido and sex drive. Drugs and herbs – the use of sexual stimulant drugs mixed with meds can cause damage and lead to impotence. We are referring to herbs/plants that promote sexual intercourse and increase arousal, but they can lead to recurrent use and thus lead to addiction to sexual activity followed by impotence. Stimulant such as – Viagra, is being used by many men, but in fact does not address the root of the problem. The drug temporarily raises the kidney yang, but does not strengthen it over time, and like an injection of gasoline into the fire, it can cause kidney fire to flare up briefly while burning the essence of the body, resulting in damage to the kidney yang and Jing.
The Chinese believe that person with overweight has two problems: excess of fat and excess of water. It is recommended to avoid factors that contribute to these problems and to keep them off the body.
In Chinese medicine, when a man suffers from sexual impotence, it is relates it to “insufficient kidney fire”. When a man is sexually active excessively, it is related to “access kidney fire”. When a large fire burning in the men’s kidneys, he remains thin and he has high sexual ability.
Therefore according to Chinese, overweight man has lower sexual ability. A man with a high sexual ability most likely will not be overweight.
Chinese Nutrition to impotency:
Anyone who wants to retain his sexual strength and avoid sexual impotency and weakness of the sperm is recommended to increase eating of:
- Organic eggs.
- Legumes beans and lentils.
- Green vegetables, especially broccoli and cauliflower – organic.
- Avocado.
- Brazil nuts.
- Pumpkin seeds.
- Fresh fruit.
- Fresh vegetables.
At the same time try to avoid:
- Caffeine, such as: black tea, coffee, chocolate, processed and fast food.
- Processed sugars and saturated fatty such as: pastries, cakes, ice cream, fries, snacks and more.
- Avoid eating too much.
- It is highly recommended to avoid stress and anger as much as possible.
- Reduce alcohol intake and stop smoking.
- Stop taking chemical drugs whenever possible.
- Do not place your laptop on your knees.
- Avoid talking a lot using your mobile phone or don’t place it in your pants pockets (testicular cancer research has increased by 4 times since people have started using mobile intensively).
- Keep your testicles cool, heat impairs penis function and sperm production. Wearing boxer shorts rather than ones that are too tight, do not use sauna or hot tub and don’t wear pants that are too tight.
At Maoz Marpe clinic:
Together with recommendations for comprehensive and important nutrition, the treatment focuses on strengthening the kidney energy. Based on each person specific diagnosis we’ll incorporate strengthening and balancing the other body organs that affect the imbalance that causes impotency. In the clinic we use nutrition, Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, electrodes, cupping and more to achieve improvement and results in the shortest amount of time possible.
