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Impotence
Introduction
Impotence is the most common male sexual dysfunction reported. This refers to the condition in which the penis fails to erect during coitus or the erection is not strong enough or cannot sustain long enough for completing the entire coitus process. In traditional Chinese medicine, this disease belongs in the categories of “impotence”, “dysfunction of external genitals”, “external genitals erection failure” etc.
Etiology/Pathogenesis
Ancient physicians believed that impotence typically resulted from violent emotions and improper sexual activities. The pathogenesis of impotence lies in kidney function disturbance. The principle for therapy is based on kidney deficiency, so the method applied is warm reinforcing kidney Yang. (1) It is suggested by Qin that emotional disturbance is the main pathogenic base of impotence and that it is ordinarily characterized by prominence in excess syndromes with few deficiency syndromes. The kidney and liver are the focus of the pathogenic organ but it involves five viscera. (2)
Primary Treatments with Chinese Medicinal Herbs
LinYu Qun, et al. used Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan to treat sexual impotence caused by panic induced kidney injury. The principles used for the treatment were warming and recuperating the kidney-yang, regulating the flow of qi, and tranquilizing the mind. They achieved encouraging results with this treatment. (3)
Modified Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan and a medicinal meal for promoting the generation of vital essence were used to treat male infertility. The formula was modified according to each individual’s symptoms. It consisted of Gou Qi Zi (Wolfberry Fuit), Tu Si Zi (Dodder Seed), Fu Pen Zi (Raspberry), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Fruit), Che Qian Zi (Plantain), Jin Yin Zi (Cherokee Rose-hip), Sang Shen Zi (Mulberry), and Xian Lin Pi (Epimidium). The decoction was orally taken once a day for 1 month as a therapeutic course of treatment. The results showed full recovery for 28 cases, improvement in 13 cases, and no effectiveness in 8 cases. The total effectiveness rate was 83.7%. (4)
Other Treatments with Chinese Medicinal Herbs
Yang Huo Decoction
Li Xue Xin used a modification of a Yang Huo Decoction in the treatment of impotence. Method used: In case of spleen and kidney Yang deficiency with stagnant coagulated damp phlegm type, Lu Jiao Jiao (Antler Glue), Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Ban Xia (Pinellia), Chen Pi (Citrus), Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium), Jiu Xiang Chong (Aspongopus), Shou Di (Cooked Rehmannia), Shan Yao (Dioscorea), and Ma Huang (Ma-huang). For symptoms defined as “decline of the fire from the gate of life” and cold accumulation in penis, the herbs used were Lu Jiao Jiao (Antler Glue), Fu Zi (Aconite), Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed), Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium), Ba Ji Tian (Morinda), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Shou Di (Cooked Rehmannia), Wu Yao (Lindera), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) powder, Ma Huang (Chinese Ephedra herb), and Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel Fruit). A decoction of this formula was taken once daily. Results for 35 cases were: 26 cases significantly improved, 5 cases improved, and 4 cases had no effectivness. The rate of effectiveness was 91.3%. (5)
Jiao Tai Pill
Hu Yin Gui treated impotence with a modified Jiao Tai pill. This formula consists of Huang Lian, Rou Gui, Yin Yang Huo, Ba Ji Tian, Zao Ren, Bo Zi Ren, and Mai Dong. The dose consisted of a 1-part water decoction daily, divided into 3 administrations. 7 days constituted one course of treatment. Standards for efficacy are defined as follows: effective: lasting 1-2 minutes from copulation to ejection; significantly effectiveness: 2-3 minutes; and full recovery: longer than 3 minutes with satisfactory sexual activity. The results showed that among 86 cases, 25 cases had fully recovered, 7 cases showed significant effectiveness, 17 cases were improved, and 7 cases had no effectiveness. The total effective rate was 92%. (6)
Other Treatments
Massage Treatment
Bai Duan used massage to treat impotence of psychological origin. Method: The patient’s head was patted by the lateral surface of both hands of the practitioner. He then pushed his palms from the interscapular region downward to the heels of both feet. This maneuver was repeated several times. Then he rubbed both palms from the lateral loin to the interscapular region for several cycles. He used the thumb from the Xin Shu point on both sides to the San Shu point several times. He then rolled the fist on the loin region for 2 minutes. Rolling the fist from San Shu point to Zhi Bian point for several cycles, Ming Men, San Shu, and Zhi Shi rubbed on with the eminence of the little finger for 1 minute. With the middle finger, he knocked on the loin Yang Gui many times. He rubbed on the buttock with both palms; then rubbed with the thumb from the medial side of sacral tubercle to the perineal region for several cycles. He rubbed the point on both Yang Gu and Tai Xi for 1 minute each, and rubbed Gui Yuan, Zhong Ji, and Quan Qu for 2 minutes. After that, he pushed from the anterior superior iliac protuberance towards the penis several times. The lower abdomen was rubbed with a single palm for 1 minute, then, using the palm, he shook on Shen Qu for 1 minute. He pushed and rubbed on the abdomen clockwise several times; slightly beating on it with the fourth finger from the umbilical region to the symphysis pubis many times. He then pointed on both sides of Zu San Li and San Yin Jiao, 1 minute for each point. Then the treatment was finished. Each session lasts 20 minutes. 10 times constituted one course of treatment. Results for the 38 cases treated showed that 41 cases fully recovered and 3 had no effect. (7)
References
- Research literature on ancient Chinese medicine’s diagnosis and treatment of impotence. Journal of Nanjin University of TCM. 1999;15(5): 311-314.
- Traditional Chinese medicine’s impotence pathogeny and new inquiry into symptom study: supplemented with 717 cases of epidemiology investigation and analysis. China Journal of Medicine and Drug. 1999;14(6):33-37.
- Lin Yu Hao, et al. Treating 95 cases of male reproductive function decrease with differential diagnosis. Journal of Anhui College of TCM. 1992;8(3):4-6.
- Liu Zuo Wen. Treating 49 cases of male infertility with modified Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan combined with a medicinal meal for promoting the generation of vital essence. Journal of Popular Medicine of Chinese Ethnic Minorities. 1999;(6);327-329.
- Li Xue Xing. Treating 35 cases of impotence with modified Yang He Tang. Hebei Journal of TCM. 1998;20(5):305-306.
- Hu Yin Gui. Treating 86 cases of impotence with modified Jiao Tai Wan. Journal of Applied TCM. 1999;15(8):19.
- Bai Duan Clinical observation on treating 41 cases of psychological impotence with massage. Journal of Massage and Physical Excercise Therapy. 1998;(3):9.
