Men's Healthyángwěi

Erectile Dysfunction

Also called:Erectile dysfunctionImpotenceDifficulty keeping erection

From the TCM perspective: TCM 'yang wei'; located in the ancestral sinew (genital sinew), related to kidney, liver, heart and spleen.

Overview

Erectile dysfunction is the persistent inability to attain or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfying intercourse. The Zhubing Yuanhou Lun links it to kidney qi deficiency, but TCM patterns include kidney yang deficiency, blood stasis obstructing collaterals, liver constraint (emotional) and damp-heat — it is not indiscriminately treated by 'tonifying the kidney'.

☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)

Kidney yang decline

Key distinguishing signs: Erectile dysfunction with cold genitals, low libido, sore-cold back/knees, cold limbs, low spirits, pale enlarged tongue, deep slow pulse.
Treatment principle: Warm kidney yang and strengthen fire

Blood stasis obstructing collaterals

Key distinguishing signs: Long-standing dysfunction, often after injury/pelvic surgery or with diabetes/cardiovascular disease, stabbing perineal pain, dark tongue with stasis spots, choppy pulse.
Treatment principle: Quicken blood, transform stasis and free collaterals

Liver qi stagnation (emotional)

Key distinguishing signs: Dysfunction fluctuating with mood, stress or tension, chest/rib fullness, sighing, depression or irritability, thin coat, wiry pulse.
Treatment principle: Soothe liver constraint and free collaterals

Damp-heat pouring downward

Key distinguishing signs: Soft erections with damp scrotum, dark burning urine, sticky bitter taste, heavy limbs, red tongue with yellow greasy coat, slippery rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Clear heat and drain dampness

Daily self-care

Control blood pressure, glucose, lipids and weight; stop smoking, limit alcohol, exercise and sleep well.
Manage stress/anxiety and communicate with your partner; avoid unregulated 'male enhancement' products.
Erectile function is also a marker of cardiovascular health; persistent problems warrant urology/men's-health or internal-medicine evaluation.

When to seek medical help

The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:

Sudden total erectile failure after trauma/pelvic surgery, or with leg weakness and bladder/bowel problems: urgent care.
Chest pain or exertional breathlessness: assess cardiac risk before sexual activity.
A painful erection lasting over 4 hours: emergency.

Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.

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