Treating Erectile Dysfunction With Acupuncture and Herbal Medicines
Erectile dysfunction (ED) can contribute to infertility. Acupuncture can treat functional ED by improving blood flow to the reproductive system and optimizing testosterone level. Because of time and money restrictions, it is difficult to have acupuncture treatments three times a week in order to achieve fast improvements. By combining herbal medicine with acupuncture, we can save time and money.
In International Review of Neurobiology 2017, Jiang et al. explained how herbal medicine can help improve sperm motility and quality, increase the sperm count and balance immune function and hormones. When a couple is seeking infertility treatment, by combining acupuncture, herbs and in vitro fertilization (IVF), they can increase the success rate and reduce stress and anxiety. Hormone injections can cause imbalance of the nervous system, leading to insomnia, mood swings, allergies and inflammation. More and more people have started using herbs to reduce the side effects of hormone injection during IUI and IVF. Herbs have been used in Asian countries for over 5000 years to treat infertility and prevent miscarriage.
In Spermatogenesis 2013, a review study by Kar Wah Leung and Alice ST Wong explains how some herbs can help improve the rigidity, penetration and endurance of erection. The mechanism is that one of the ingredients in Ginseng, called Rg1, promotes an increase in the level of nitric oxide (NO), which relaxes the muscles in the penis and increases the blood flow to the corpus cavernosum (the blood chamber in the penis). Wang et al. published an interesting research article in J. Sex Med. 2010. The researchers applied the Ginseng ingredient Rg1 to male mice and observed changes in their sexual behavior and hormone levels. Viagra (Sildenafil) was used as a positive control. They found significant increases in the frequency of mounting and pelvic thrusting intromission of male mice from day 16 to day 20 after they were fed the Rg1. Furthermore, there were increased testosterone levels, NO release, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) accumulation in the corpus cavernosum. This research indicated that using Ginseng to treat ED may be more effective than Viagra, especially for men who have heart problems.
In order to achieve normal erection and ejaculation, the nervous system has to be balanced. Initially, when men get sexually excited, the blood vessels dilate in their penis, and blood rushes into the penile corpus cavernosum. Then the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems have to be balanced in order for men to ejaculate. If a man is too nervous or too relaxed, he cannot ejaculate. Acupuncture and herbs help to balance both sides of the nervous system — the fight or flight and relax and digest parts, so men can achieve orgasm and ejaculate at the right time. If the erection is not sufficient, men can not finish intercourse; on the other hand, if the erection is too strong and too long, it can damage the penile tissue.
Balance is the key to achieving an optimized testosterone level.
References:
- Wang X, Chu S, Qian T, Chen J, Zhang J. Ginsenoside Rg1 improves male copulatory behavior via nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway. J Sex Med. 2010; 7:743–50. doi: 10.1111/j.1743–6109.2009.01482.x.
- D Jiang, A Coscione, L Li, BY Zeng Chapter Thirteen — Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Male Infertility. International Review of Neurobiology, Volume 135, 2017, Pages 297–311, Elsevier.
- Kar Wah Leung and Alice ST Wong. Ginseng and Male Reproductive function. Spermatogenesis 2013 Jul 1;3(3):e26391. doi: 10.4161/spmg.26391. Epub 2013 Sep 13.
