Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Overview
Erectile dysfunction is the persistent inability to attain or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity, usually for at least three months. Chinese medicine calls it "yang wei" and relates it closely to the liver, kidney, heart, and spleen, with common patterns such as declining life-gate fire, heart–spleen deficiency, liver qi stagnation, and damp-heat pouring downward. TCM support may be part of a broader plan, but diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, hormonal disorders, and medication effects should first be medically evaluated.
Pattern differentiation (clinical patterns)
Declining Life-Gate Fire (Kidney Yang Deficiency)
Failure of erection with thin cold semen, dizziness, tinnitus, pale complexion, sore cold weak lower back and knees, cold limbs, frequent clear nocturia, low spirits, pale enlarged tongue with white coating, deep fine slow pulse.
Warm kidney yang; supplement essence and qi.
Heart–Spleen Deficiency
Weak or unsustained erection, palpitations, poor memory, insomnia with dreams, fatigue, sallow complexion, poor appetite, loose stools, pale tongue white coating, fine weak pulse.
Strengthen the spleen and nourish the heart; boost qi and blood.
Damp-Heat Pouring Downward
Flaccid penis with damp odorous scrotum, heavy aching legs, scanty dark painful urination, bitter sticky mouth, red tongue with yellow greasy coating, rolling rapid pulse.
Clear and drain damp-heat.
Connections
Daily care & prevention
Keep regular sleep, stop smoking, limit alcohol, control weight and waist circumference, and do regular aerobic and strength exercise; manage blood glucose, pressure, and lipids. Communicate openly with your partner and reduce performance pressure. Gentle massage of Guanyuan (CV4), Qihai (CV6), Shenshu (BL23), Zusanli (ST36), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) may help adjunctively. Do not self-use unregulated potency products.
When to seek medical care
Sudden ED with chest pain or breathlessness requires urgent cardiovascular assessment; persistent problems warrant evaluation of glucose, lipids, testosterone, and medication effects. Painful erection, priapism lasting hours, or genital trauma is an emergency.