Introduction to Male Sexual Function and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treatments

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a treasure of Chinese traditional medical science, possesses a long history and unique theoretical system in understanding and treating male sexual dysfunction. According to TCM, the health of male sexual function is closely related to multiple aspects such as the kidneys, liver, qi (vital energy), and blood. Through the holistic concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment, TCM provides various effective treatment methods for patients with male sexual dysfunction.

TCM's Understanding of Male Sexual Function

TCM believes that male sexual dysfunction is closely related to factors such as kidney deficiency, liver qi stagnation, and qi and blood insufficiency. Among them, kidney deficiency is the most crucial cause. The kidneys are the root of congenital essence, governing the storage of jing (essential substances), producing marrow, and directly related to reproductive function. When kidney function declines and jing is insufficient, symptoms such as impotence, premature ejaculation, and seminal emission may occur. Meanwhile, liver qi stagnation can also affect the circulation of qi and blood, leading to decreased sexual function. In addition, qi and blood insufficiency and physical weakness can also cause sexual dysfunction.

TCM Classification of Male Sexual Dysfunction Symptoms and Corresponding Treatments

Based on the differences in etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations, TCM classifies male sexual dysfunction into several types and provides targeted treatment methods:

1. Kidney Yang Deficiency Type
   • Symptoms: Mainly manifested as male sexual dysfunction, pale complexion, dizziness, mental fatigue, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, pale tongue with white coating, and mostly sunken and thin pulses.
   • Etiology: Mostly caused by excessive sexual activity or masturbation in adolescence, leading to jing deficiency and kidney yang deficiency.
   • Treatment Principle: Warm and nourish kidney yang, replenish jing and fill marrow.
   • Medications: Prescriptions based on Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Yang Restoring Pill), or herbs such as Epimedium, Morinda officinalis, Cinnamon, and Aconite to warm and nourish kidney yang.
2. Heart and Spleen Deficiency Type
   • Symptoms: Mainly manifested as male sexual dysfunction, lack of vitality, insomnia, restless sleep, pale complexion, palpitations, anorexia, limb softness and weakness, pale red tongue with thin white coating, and thin and weak pulses.
   • Etiology: Caused by excessive worrying and melancholy, damaging the heart and spleen, resulting in qi and blood deficiency.
   • Treatment Principle: Tonify the heart and spleen, nourish blood and calm the nerves.
   • Medications: Prescriptions based on Gui Pi Wan (Spleen-Nourishing Decoction).
3. Kidney Injury Due to Fear Type
   • Symptoms: Mainly manifested as male sexual dysfunction, mental distress, timidity, suspicion, palpitations, insomnia, and excessive dreaming, with a thin and greasy tongue coating or a pale tongue, and thin and wiry pulses.
   • Etiology: Mostly caused by sudden fear or external stressors.
   • Treatment Principle: Nourish kidney qi, calm the nerves, and alleviate worry.
   • Medications: Herbs such as Ginseng, Chinese Yam, and Reishi Mushroom to nourish kidney qi, and herbs such as Poria cocos, Polygala tenuifolia, and Polygonatum odoratum to calm the nerves, alleviate worry, and tranquilize the mind.
4. Damp-Heat Infesting the Lower Jiao Type
   • Symptoms: Mainly manifested as male sexual dysfunction, short and yellow urine, heavy and weak lower limbs, loose stools, bitter and sticky mouth, yellow tongue coating, and sunken and slippery pulses. Some patients may also have symptoms such as damp and itchy scrotum, offensive odor, and testicular pain or swelling.
   • Etiology: Caused by damp-heat invading and accumulating in the lower jiao.
   • Treatment Principle: Clear heat and resolve dampness.
   • Medications: Prescriptions based on Long Dan Xie Gan Wan (Gentiana Decoction for Draining Liver Fire).
5. Liver Qi Stagnation Type
   • Symptoms: Mainly manifested as male sexual dysfunction, melancholy mood, lack of vitality, chest distress, frequent sighing, pain or distension in the costal region, dark red tongue with thin white or yellow coating, and thin and wiry or rapid pulses.
   • Etiology: Caused by emotional distress and liver qi stagnation.
   • Treatment Principle: Soothe liver qi and promote yang.
   • Medications: Prescriptions based on Si Ni San (Powder for Dispersing the Four Inversions).

In addition, some common TCM patents are also used to treat male sexual dysfunction, such as:

• Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan (Five-Seed Pill): Composed of herbs like Lycium barbarum and Cuscuta chinensis, it has the effect of nourishing yin and essence. It is suitable for treating symptoms such as impotence and premature ejaculation caused by kidney deficiency.
• Fu Fang Xuan Ju Jiaonang (Compound Cynomorii Powder Capsules): Made from herbs such as Epimedium and Lycium barbarum, it has the effect of tonifying kidney yang. It is mainly used to treat symptoms such as fatigue, low vitality, and sore lower back, and can enhance the body's cold resistance and improve sperm motility.
• You Gui Wan (Right Return Pill): Main ingredients include Reishi Mushroom, Cinnamon, and Dogwood Fruit. It has the effect of warming and nourishing kidney yang. In clinical practice, it is mainly used to treat symptoms such as soreness and coldness in the waist and knees and lack of vitality, and can promote sperm production.
• Yi Shen Ling Granules: It can be used for symptoms of kidney yin deficiency such as edema and chronic nephritis, and can also help improve male sexual function.

Precautions

When using TCM to treat male sexual dysfunction, patients should pay attention to the following points:

• Follow medical advice: The use of TCM should follow the principles of TCM theory and be tailored to the patient's specific condition and constitution. Therefore, when using TCM, patients must consult a professional TCM practitioner and strictly follow their instructions.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle: TCM emphasizes holistic treatment. Patients need to maintain good lifestyle habits during treatment, including regular sleep, moderate exercise, and a balanced diet. These measures can help enhance physical fitness and improve treatment outcomes.
• Psychological counseling: According to TCM, emotional distress can affect sexual function. Therefore, during treatment, patients should pay attention to regulating their emotions and avoid excessive anxiety, tension, and other negative emotions. If necessary, they can seek help from a psychological counselor for psychological counseling.

In summary, TCM provides various effective treatment methods for patients with male sexual dysfunction. By adhering to the holistic concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment principles, TCM can tailor treatment plans to the specific circumstances of patients and help them restore healthy sexual function.