Impotence

Impotence is referred to lack of copulative power in males .

Etiology and Pathogenesis

Impotence . is generally due to indulgence in sex or excessive masturbation , which makes Mingmen fire decline and exhausts the kidney essence . It may also be due to fear , fright or worry , which damages the qi of the heart , spleen and kidney . Just as said in Treatment of Internal Disorders : The inability of penis to erect is due to the injury of the internal organs , which is mainly caused by the exhaustion of kidney essence from indulgent sexual activity , or by worry damaging the mind , or by fright leading to dysfunction of the kidney .

Greasy food and wine may damage the function of the spleen and stomach in transportation and transformation , causing dampness to turn into heat . The damp heat drives downward to make the penis unable to erect , resulting in impotence . However , impotence of the damp heat type is not very common . Zhang Jingyue said , Seven to eight out often impotent patients are caused by the decline of Fire . Only a few of them are due to excess of fire .

Differentiation

Decline of Mingmen Fire :

Manifestations : Failure of the penis in erection , or weak erection , pallor , cold Main extremities , dizziness , listlessness , soreness and weakness of the loins and knees , frequent urination , pale tongue with white coating , deep thready pulse . If the heart and spleen qi is damaged , palpitations and insomnia may be present .

Analysis : The kidney dominates reproduction and opens into the urethra , spermatic duct and the anus . Insufficiency of the kidney yang and the decline of Mingmen fire wither up the reproductive ability , leading to impotence . Owing to yang deficiency , the body cannot be warmed , resulting in pallor , cold extremities , dizziness , and listlessness . As the lumbar region is the house of the kidney , kidney deficiency gives rise to soreness and weakness of the loins and knees . Only with the help of the activity of the kidney , can normal urination be performed . If the kidney yang fails in controlling urination , there appears frequent urination . Pale tongue with white coating , and deep , thready pulse are the signs of yang insufficiency . If the heart and spleen qi is damaged , there is poor production ofqi and blood . If blood is inadequate for nourishing the heart , palpitations and insomnia occur .

Downward flowing of damp heat :

Main manifestations : Inability of the penis to erect , complicated with bitter taste in the mouth , thirst , hot and dark red urine , soreness and weakness of the lower extremities , yellow , sticky tongue coating , soft , rapid pulse .

Analysis : The penis consists of two cylindrical bodies . As said in Internal Classic : If the damp heat stagnates in the penis , the major body becomes soft and short , and the small body gets loose and long . The former is known as contracture , while the latter known as atrophy and weak . The downward flowing of the damp heat makes the cylindrical bodies loose and weak , resulting in inability of the penis to erect . If the damp heat ascends , there will be bitter taste in the mouth or thirst . If the damp heat is transmitted to the small intestine , and then to the bladder , hot and dark red urine occurs . Soreness and weakness of the lower extremities , yellow , sticky tongue coating , and soft , rapid pulse indicate the presence of damp heat .

Treatment

Decline of Mingmen Fire :

Method : Points of the Ren and Kidney Meridians are selected as the principal points . Reinforcing method with moxibus tion is applied to invigorate the kidney yang .

Prescription : Guanyuan ( Ren 4 ) , Ming - men ( Du 4 ) , Shenshu ( B 23 ) , Taixi ( K 3 ) .

Supplementary points : For damage of the qi of the heart and spleen : Xinshu ( B 15 ) , Shenmen ( H 7 ) , Sanyinjiao ( Sp 6 ) .

Explanation : Guanyuan ( Ren 4 ) is the meeting point of the Ren Meridian and the three foot yin meridians . Reinforcing is used to promote the primary qi and invigorate the kidney function . Mingmen ( Du 4 ) , Shenshu ( B 23 ) and Taixi ( K 3 ) are used to strengthen the kidney yang . Xinshu ( B 15 ) , Shenmen ( H 7 ) and Sanyinjiao ( Sp 6 ) are good for activating the qi of the heart and spleen .

Downward flowing of damp heat :

Method : Points of the Ren and Spleen Meridians are selected as the principal points . Reducing method is apphed to eliminate the damp heat .

Prescription : Zhongji ( Ren 3 ) , Sanyinjiao ( Sp 6 ) , Yinlingquan ( Sp 9 ) , Zusanii ( S 36 ) .

Explanation : This condition is caused by the downward flowing of damp heat from the Spleen Meridian , Zhongji ( Ren 3 ) , Sanyinjiao ( Sp 6 ) and Yinlingquan ( Sp 9 ) are therefore selected to soothe and regulate the qi ofSpIsen Meridian to eliminate the damp heat . Zusanii ( S 36 ) is the He - ( Sea ) point of the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming . Because of the interior - exterior relationship between the Spleen and Stomach Meridians , Zusanii ( S 36 ) is chosen to dispel dampness by improving the function of the spleen in transportation and transformation . Heat will disappear when dampness is dispelled . The above points combined together are suitable for the treatment of impotence caused by damp heat .

Remarks

Impotence in most cases is a functional disorder , for instance , sexual neurasthenia .