Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners usually attribute erectile dysfunction to one of two problems, a deficiency of Kidney Yang energy and Blood Stasis in the lower abdomen. Often, men who have a deficiency of Kidney Yang energy experience symptoms such as frequent clear urination, cold limbs, fatigue, and lower back pain. In more serious cases, the fire of the Mingmen (Life Gate) is also weak causing even more pronounced cold signs. The term Mingmen refers to one of the body’s two kidneys, where the male’s "essence" is stored. In Kidney Deficiency cases, warming the Mingmen and Kidney Yang are necessary to balance the body.

In cases of Blood Stasis, the flow of energy (called Qi) and Blood is obstructed in the lower abdomen preventing the needed blood flow to create and maintain an erection. This condition often presents with signs of a tight and tender to palpation lower abdominal area. Treatment will focus on breaking the stagnation in the lower abdomen, returning the proper flow of Blood though the affected area.
Acupuncture for Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Acupuncture can be used to treat either form of erectile dysfunction. Acupuncture involves the insertion of long, thin needles into the body at specific acupuncture points. These locations follow the flow of energy in pathways known as meridians. The procedure is believed to open clogged meridians and allow Qi and Blood to flow more freely through the body. When treating Erectile Dysfunction, acupuncture can be performed at Bladder 23, Du 4, and Ren 4. In cases of Kidney deficiency that require warming, moxibustion can also be performed at these acupuncture points. The moxibustion treatment involves the burning of an herb, Ai Ye, to warm and circulate the energy in the local area, strengthening the Life Gate fire. For Blood Stasis conditions, acupuncture alone can be sufficient to break the stagnation of Blood. Additional acupuncture points, such as Liver 3 and Large Intestine 4, can be used to strongly circulate energy in the body.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Chinese Herbal Medicine can also used to treat Erectile Dysfunction (ED). In cases of Deficient Mingmen Fire, an herbal formula such as Zuo Gui Wan (Return Left Pill) can be used. This classical herbal treatment warms the Kidney energy and tonfies the Yang. Herbal formulas are often modified to treat specific symptoms or balance an individual’s constitution. In cases of Erectile Dysfunction, animal products are often used for their increased effectiveness. Ge Jia (Gecko), Lu Rong (Deer Antler), and Hai Ma (Sea Horse) can be added to increase the potency of the treatment. Plant-based herbs are also helpful, such as Rou Gui (cinnamon), Yin Yang Huo (Horny Goatweed), and Fu Zi (aconite), and are less expensive than animal products.

In conditions of Erectile Dysfunction due to Blood Stasis, the formula Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Stasis in the Mansion of Blood Decoction) is most commonly used. This formula is effective for Blood Stasis primarily in the Chest, and is often modified to better target the lower abdomen. Various modifications alter the formula into Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Blood Stasis in Lower Abdomen Decoction) to increase its effectiveness.