Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, herbs, dietary therapy, and lifestyle modification, offers great promise as treatment for common men's health conditions related to the prostate, including symptoms related to chronic prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and as supportive therapy for cancer of the prostate.
The prostate is a male-specific, glandular and fibromuscular organ that lies just underneath the urinary bladder. In adult males, its main function is to produce seminal fluid that contributes to the volume of semen. In men under the age of 50, the most common condition affecting the prostate is prostatitis, which means inflammation of the prostate.
In men over the age of 50, the most common prostate condition is termed benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or benign enlargement of the prostate. BPH affects over half of men aged 60 years and above and up to 80 percent of men in their 70's and 80's. BPH can cause symptoms such as DECREASED URINARY FLOW, FREQUENT NIGHTTIME URINATION and difficulty starting and stopping urination. Other problems could include burning urination and pain and urinary incontinence.
MALE INFERTILITY
According to RESOLVE, a national infertility organization, between 35% and 40% of infertility problems among couples are actually caused by men's health conditions. Several factors may be responsible for male infertility including low sperm count, abnormal sperm shape and size, reduced motility, and problems with seminal fluid liquefaction.
Recent studies in China show that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can have an effect on sperm production and quality without causing any problems with sexual performance. On the contrary, these studies show that Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and Chinese herbs, can significantly improve sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm size and shape. in addition to vast improvements in erectile function and sexual desire.
Many of our patients experience increases in the volume of their seminal fluid and frequency of erections within a few weeks after starting treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Sperm production requires from 72 - 74 days for maturation from germ cells. Therefore, at least one to two months of treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbs are recommended for the best results in increasing sperm counts and sperm morphology.
