Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescriptions for Sexual Dysfunction Caused by Prostatitis
"I’ve had frequent and urgent urination for more than half a year, and my sex life is always unsatisfactory—it ends too quickly…” said Michael, 42, when he visited his doctor. After examination, he was diagnosed with chronic prostatitis. His symptoms of weak erection and premature ejaculation were, in fact, common complications of this condition.
Situations like Michael’s are very common. Chronic prostatitis is a prevalent condition among men, with an incidence rate ranging from about 6% to 32.9% in China. More importantly, over 60% of patients with chronic prostatitis also experience sexual dysfunction—most commonly erectile dysfunction (about 29%) and premature ejaculation (about 40%).
Although modern medicine offers various Western medications, the effects are sometimes unsatisfactory and may cause unpleasant side effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with its holistic approach and principle of syndrome differentiation, provides another therapeutic option. According to TCM, sexual dysfunction resulting from chronic prostatitis is often rooted in “kidney Qi deficiency,” accompanied by “damp-heat retention” or “Qi and blood stagnation,” which disrupt the normal function of the reproductive system. This imbalance can also involve the liver, spleen, and heart.
In clinical practice, these factors often overlap. Based on the experience of many TCM practitioners, cases of chronic prostatitis accompanied by sexual dysfunction can be categorized into several common patterns, each requiring different treatment strategies:
1. Damp-Heat Retention Type
Core issue:
A persistent feeling of heat and heaviness in the lower abdomen, as if wrapped in a damp towel, accompanied by swelling and discomfort in the genital area. Over time, control weakens, leading to premature ejaculation.
Common prescriptions:
a. Qingre Lishi Gushen Decoction (Heat-Clearing, Dampness-Removing, Kidney-Stabilizing Soup)
Composed of Bi Xie (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), Tu Si Zi (Cuscutae Semen), Fu Ling (Poria), etc.
Functions: Tonifies the kidney, clears damp-heat from the lower burner, and stabilizes seminal essence.
Suitable for those with slight kidney deficiency but prominent damp-heat causing premature ejaculation.
b. Simiao Combined with Wuzi Decoction
Made from Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Huang Bai (Phellodendri Cortex), Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen), plus Tu Si Zi and Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus).
Functions: Clears heat, removes dampness, and replenishes kidney Qi and essence. Used alongside Western medicine, it may reduce side effects and help improve ejaculation control.
TCM experience:
Adding Di Long (Pheretima) or Shui Zhi (Hirudo)* to such formulas helps promote blood circulation in the prostate area.
Combining herbs like Tian Dong (Asparagi Radix), Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix), and Ren Shen (Ginseng) with Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) and Long Dan Cao (Gentianae Radix)* helps guide excess “fire” downward to the kidney.
2. Emotional Stagnation with Kidney Deficiency Type
Core issue:
Emotional depression, low energy, soreness of the lower back and knees, and a persistent cool sensation in the lower abdomen due to kidney Qi deficiency. The genital organs are poorly nourished, resulting in erectile difficulties and weak performance.
Common prescriptions:
a. Shugan Gushen Decoction (Liver-Soothing and Kidney-Stabilizing Soup)
Composed of Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus), etc.
Functions: Soothes liver Qi, relieves emotional distress, nourishes liver and kidney, and stabilizes essence to prevent premature ejaculation.
b. Modified Shaoyao Gancao Decoction
Based on Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) and Zhi Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix Preparata), this formula relaxes tension and alleviates pain.
For kidney Yin deficiency, add Shu Di (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) and Shan Zhu Yu;
for Yin-Yang deficiency, add Yin Yang Huo (Epimedii Herba) and Ba Ji Tian (Morindae Officinalis Radix).
TCM experience:
Using liver-soothing herbs like Chai Hu and Yu Jin (Curcumae Radix) as a base, combined with kidney-tonifying herbs such as Ba Ji Tian and Ci Wu Jia (Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix), helps young men relieve psychogenic erectile issues.
Agarwood (Chen Xiang) is often used to regulate Qi and ease anxiety; its volatile oil components can reduce pelvic pain and psychological tension.
3. Heart-Kidney Disharmony Type
Core issue:
Due to prolonged anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue, and lack of energy, the patient loses interest in sex or experiences premature ejaculation from minimal stimulation.
Common prescription:
Heart-Nourishing Formula (Modified Tianwang Buxin Dan)
Composed of Dan Shen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix), Dang Gui, Sheng Di, Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen), Bai Zi Ren (Platycladi Semen), Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix), and Wu Wei Zi.
Functions: Nourishes Yin and blood, calms the spirit, and restores control over ejaculation.
TCM theory:
The heart governs the spirit, which has a strong regulatory role in sexual function. When heart blood is insufficient and the mind is restless, libido and erection suffer. Thus, treatment should focus on calming the mind and nourishing the heart and brain.
4. Kidney Deficiency with Blood Stasis Type
Core issue:
Weakness and soreness in the lower back and knees, fatigue after ejaculation lasting all day, and stabbing pain in the perineum with symptoms of prostatic blockage such as bifurcated urine—leading to serious erectile dysfunction.
Common prescriptions:
a. Wenshen Tongluo Decoction (Kidney-Warming and Meridian-Unblocking Soup)
Contains Lu Rong (Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum) or Lu Jiao Jiao (Cervi Cornu Colla), Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Tu Si Zi, Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), Ren Shen, Shui Zhi (Hirudo), and Wu Gong (Scolopendra).
Used for severe erectile dysfunction to tonify kidney essence, replenish Qi, and improve circulation.
b. Huoxue Bushen Decoction (Blood-Invigorating and Kidney-Tonifying Formula)
Based on Tao Ren (Persicae Semen), Hong Hua (Carthami Flos), Dang Gui, Shu Di, and Bai Shao.
For mild cases, add Dan Shen and Wang Bu Liu Xing; for severe cases, add Shui Zhi or Tu Bie Chong (Eupolyphaga).
TCM experience:
Focus on nourishing kidney Yin with Shu Di and Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus), and moderately combine with mild Yang-warming herbs like Yin Yang Huo and Ba Ji Tian*. Avoid overly hot tonics.
Animal-derived substances such as Xiong Can E (Bombyx Mori) and Ge Jie (Gecko)* are used to strongly nourish essence and blood.
Insect-based herbs like Shui Zhi and Wu Gong* may help prevent fibrosis of prostate tissue and improve local microcirculation, but should be used cautiously in patients with gastric ulcers.
5. Spleen-Kidney Deficiency Type
Core issue:
Poor digestion, heavy dampness, fatigue, loss of appetite, and a feeling of chill in the abdomen due to cold constitution. Energy is low, leading to reduced sexual drive and performance.
Common prescriptions:
a. Bupi Gushen Decoction (Spleen-Strengthening and Kidney-Stabilizing Formula)
Composed of Huang Qi, Dang Shen, Bai Zhu, Sheng Ma, Chai Hu, etc.
Functions: Tonifies middle Qi and raises Yang.
For erectile problems, add Wu Gong and Yin Yang Huo; for damp-heat, add Bi Xie and Huang Bai.
b. Modified Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill)
Based on Wu Mei (Mume Fructus), Xi Xin (Asari Radix), Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Fu Zi (Aconiti Radix Lateralis Preparata), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), and Huang Bai.
For obvious spleen deficiency, add Bai Zhu and Fu Ling.
TCM believes that sexual dysfunction caused by chronic prostatitis often involves multiple organ systems and pathological mechanisms. Through individualized syndrome differentiation, internal herbal treatment can regulate organ function, clear damp-heat, promote Qi flow, invigorate blood circulation, and tonify kidney essence—achieving systemic recovery and improved quality of life.
Of course, seeking professional guidance from an experienced TCM practitioner is essential for accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment. The Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill follows this precise principle—adjusting herbal combinations based on each patient’s condition to address sexual dysfunction caused by chronic prostatitis. Rooted in TCM syndrome differentiation, it revitalizes prostate tissue and helps relieve anxiety and discomfort associated with the condition, offering patients a more balanced path to recovery.
