Treating Sexual Dysfunction with Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture has been shown to be a scientifically proven treatment for sexual health related concerns and a variety of health issues. This ancient healing tradition, along with Chinese herbs, has been used to address sexual functioning and health conditions for more than 5 millennia. Through the use of filiform needles inserted in specific points on the skin, a man’s or a woman’s sexual health can be improved efficiently. Included in this enhancement is the sex drive (libido) and sexual performance of the patient. Besides that, acupuncture also tackles underlying root problems that may cause sexual health conditions such as: hormonal imbalances, weight fluctuation, drug interactions, psychological challenges, menopause, and more.

An effective therapy for healing the emotional, mental, and physical aspects of the whole individual, acupuncture has very few side effects and minimal risks. It also provides results that are often experienced within a short span of time; the number of treatment sessions, however, is based on the severity of the imbalances within the patient’s body.

Addressing Sexual Performance Problems with Acupuncture in Tarzana

Providing the body balance through the correction of energy (Chi or Qi) flow disruptions in the body, acupuncture is also able to address libido and sexual performance decline. It does this by treating the heart and kidney and other organs affected by certain factors that lead to imbalance within the body.

Discussing the patient’s symptoms and using the most common diagnostic tools to find out where imbalances are focused, the acupuncturist performs a tongue and pulse examination on a patient to find out exactly what condition the patient is suffering from and what exactly is causing his/her condition. Examining twenty-seven pulse states through nine positions, acupuncture goes beyond the traditional pulse checks that Western medicine uses. By using these pulse positions, information about how well the body organs are functioning and the general state of health the patient can be determined. The tongue’s cracks, moisture, shape, and color is also checked to determine how well the patient’s vital organs function and the overall health of the patient.

Chinese medicine uses either or both acupuncture or acupressure to address sexual health dysfunction although other techniques, such as electro-acupuncture, cupping, or moxibustion can also be used, often combined with Chinese herbs. The aims of these treatments are to boost circulation to the sexual organs, balance the hormones and regulate hormone levels, as well as help relax the mind to lower stress. These therapies enhance sexual functioning by enabling men to increase their performance by experiencing satisfying orgasms, improving their longevity, stamina, and endurance, enhancing ejaculation, and prolonging erections.

Acupressure

Acupressure is essentially similar to acupuncture as it treats conditions by stimulating the acupoints in the body. But instead of using needles acupressure uses a less invasive approach by treating the patient with massage instead of needles. Massage is performed through the use of the elbows, knuckles, fingers and even vibrators to help improve flow of blood through the reproductive and sexual organs in a more intense manner. In between acupuncture sessions, acupressure can be used by patients to help continue stimulation.

Acupressure Point stimulation Using Vibrators

By using a small massager or bullet style vibrator, the level of stimulation can be enhanced during acupressure. Using a small vibrato has its advantages. It can help a person stimulate an acupoint with pinpoint accuracy.

Beyond the Betterment of Your Sex Drive

Besides the improvement of your sex drive, listed below are other types of sexual health conditions that can be treated with acupuncture:

-STD outbreaks
-Vaginismus
-Hypoactive sexual desire disorder
-Female sexual dysfunction
-Female sexual arousal disorder
-Poor sperm mobility
-Sexual aversion disorder
-Premature ejaculation
-Prostate issues
-Male and female menopause
-Infertility
-Erectile dysfunction

When addressing sexual health problems, acupuncture and acupressure can indeed be extremely effective alternative modalities to use. They both address the symptoms and underlying reasons for the sexual health concerns, which cannot be said of Western conventional modalities for the treatment of sexual dysfunction.

Sexual Dysfunction Preparing for Your Appointment

For Female Sexual Dysfunction

For women suffering from arousal problems, lack of interest in sex and sexual difficulties and who may want to improve their sexual relationship with their partner, they need to make an appointment with their doctor. When talking with your doctor about your sexual difficulties, you need not to feel embarrassed since talking with your doctor is also a part of the process of treatment – getting a happy sex life is not only important for your relationship but in your overall well being as well.

You can prepare for your appointment in order to get the most out of it. Listed below are some helpful tips to prepare well for your appointment.

To help your doctor come up with a correct diagnosis and a right course of treatment try to collect information regarding:

Questions you need to ask your doctor – Use a small notebook and write down the questions for your doctor you need answers to. This will make your appointment time more productive and efficient.
Your medical history – Include in your small notebook all the ailments, mental, problems, diseases and conditions that you have been diagnosed before. Also write down the medications and their dosages you’ve been recently taking. They may include steroids, supplements and over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
Your sexual history – This is important for your doctor to know since it can help him trace the origin of your sexual dysfunction especially if your underlying problem is psychological in nature. You need to mention all your relationships and sexual experiences starting from the time you became sexually active. You need to also mention any abuse or trauma you’ve experienced in your life.
Your symptoms – Mention all your sexual problems and the time you often experience them.

Here are some questions that you can ask your doctor:

What is the reason for my sexual problems?
Are tests needed for my problem?
What is the best treatment plan for my condition?
Do the medications you’re prescribing have any side effects? If so, what are the side effects?
What benefits can I get from the treatment plan?
Do I need to do self-care tips or lifestyle changes in order to be treated?
Do I need therapy?
Do I need to involve my partner in my plan of treatment?

Your doctor will need to know more about your condition and will start by asking personal and non-personal questions to you and to your partner if you bought him along with you. These questions are asked to ascertain what brought about your problem and help formulate the best treatment approach possible.

Some of the doctor’s questions may go like these:

What kind of problems are you having?
Do these problems bother you a bit or too much?
Are you happy with your current relationship?
When did you start becoming sexually active?
Are you aroused when performing sexual activities with your partner?
Do you have orgasm?
If you’ve had orgasms before, what brought them about?
Do you experience pain with intercourse?
Do you use birth control pills? If so, what kind?
Can you tell me all the medicines you are taking?
Do you drink alcohol or take recreational drugs? How much?
Have you had an operation involving your reproductive system?
Have you had past diagnosed physical and mental conditions?
Have you suffered from sexual violence before?

While waiting for your appointment day, try to work out with your partner any problems you both may have. Try to indulge in pleasurable non-sexual activities that can be relaxing and make your time together fun and worthwhile. This may provide more impetus for more intimacy during sex.

For Male Sexual Dysfunction

You may consult with your doctor first who may refer you to a specialist like a urologist or an endocrinologist.

You can take steps to prepare well for your appointment. You would want to call the doctor’s office and ask your doctor if there’s anything you need to do, like for example, not eating before taking a blood test. To make your appointment time more productive, you can use a small notebook to write down things that are important for your doctor to know.  In the notebook, you can:

Write down the symptoms you’ve experienced even the ones that may not involve your sexual dysfunction.
Write down any life changes or major stresses that have been bothering for you for some time.
Write down the medicines including steroids, supplements, herbs and over-the-counter and prescription medicines you are currently using.
Bring along your partner or wife with you to your appointment.
Write down questions you need to ask your doctor

Some of your questions can include questions about:

Your sexual problems like erectile dysfunction, low libido or impotence
The cause or causes of your sexual problem
The tests you need to undergo
Whether your problem is temporary or chronic
Your treatment plan
A viable treatment plan for both your sexual problem and your other current conditions
Lifestyle or diet restrictions you need to follow
Seeing a specialist, the cost it may entail and if your insurance will cover a specialist appointment
Generic alternatives to prescription medicines you need to take

In addition to the questions that you’ve prepared to ask your doctor, don’t hesitate to ask additional questions during your appointment.

Your doctor will ask you questions about yourself and your condition. Some of his questions may go like these:

Do you have other health problems sexual or not?
Has your sexual desire lessened or not?
When you masturbate, do you attain erection?
Do you get erections while sleeping or when you’re with your partner?
Do you have relationship (sexual or not) problems with your partner?
Does your partner have any sexual problems?
Are you stressed, depressed or anxious?
Do you have a mental health problem? If yes, are you currently taking medicines or getting therapy for it?
When did you first experience your sexual problems?
Do you always experience your sexual problems?
Do you drink alcohol or take illegal drugs?

 

Linda Lesperance is a licensed acupuncturist and the founder of The Lotus Center of Oriental Medicine in Boca Raton, FL.