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Acupuncture may be practiced by a variety of professionals, and licensure laws in the United States vary by state. Look for a licensed acupuncturist ("L.Ac."). Other health professionals such as naturopaths, chiropractors and physicians might also use acupuncture as part of their practice.
For more information, see "How to Choose a Qualified Acupuncturist" in the acupuncture article.
For more information, see the section, "What to Expect During an Acupuncture Treatment," in the acupuncture article.
Erectile dysfunction, also called impotence, is the inability to attain or maintain an erection of the penis that is firm enough for penetration during sexual intercourse. To initiate and maintain an erection, the penis must fill with blood. Nerve signals stimulate this engorgement. They prompt the blood vessels in the penis to expand so blood can fill it. Meanwhile, other blood vessels constrict, trapping blood inside.
Male Genitourinary System |
The following factors can cause erectile dysfunction:
Venous Leak:If the blood vessels (veins), which normally are compressed by the blood filling the penis during an erection, are not fully compressed, an erection may not be attainable, or may not last long. This can be caused by injury or diseases which prevent the full expansion of the vessels (arteries) which normally expand with blood.
Neurovascular Function:Erection cannot be attained if nerve signals do not prompt blood vessels to do their job or if blood flow to the penis is reduced. Nerve dysfunction can also diminish feeling in the penis, resulting in impotence. Many medications can cause erectile dysfunction by impairing either vascular or nerve function.
Medical conditions that can lead to neurovascular dysfunction include:
- Diabetes —can interfere with nerve signals
- Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)—can reduce blood flow
- Peripheral neuropathy , spinal cord injury, and surgery—can affect nerve function
Psychological Factors:Psychological factors account for 10%-15% of erectile dysfunction cases. The brain initiates many of the nerve signals required for a successful erection. Problems in your relationship, feelings of guilt associated with sex, depression , anxiety , and stress can all lead to erectile dysfunction
An estimated 25-30 million US men have erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction increases with age, affecting about 20% of men aged 20 and older and 78% of men aged 75 and older.
What are the risk factors for erectile dysfunction?
What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction?
How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed?
What are the treatments for erectile dysfunction?
Are their screening tests for erectile dysfunction?
How can I reduce my risk of erectile dysfunction?
What questions should I ask my doctor?
What is it like to live with erectile dysfunction?
Where can I get more information about erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction, also called impotence, is the inability to attain or maintain an erection of the penis that is firm enough for penetration during sexual intercourse. To initiate and maintain an erection, the penis must fill with blood. Nerve signals stimulate this engorgement. They prompt the blood vessels in the penis to expand so blood can fill it. Meanwhile, other blood vessels constrict, trapping blood inside.
Male Genitourinary System |
The following factors can cause erectile dysfunction:
Venous Leak:If the blood vessels (veins), which normally are compressed by the blood filling the penis during an erection, are not fully compressed, an erection may not be attainable, or may not last long. This can be caused by injury or diseases which prevent the full expansion of the vessels (arteries) which normally expand with blood.
Neurovascular Function:Erection cannot be attained if nerve signals do not prompt blood vessels to do their job or if blood flow to the penis is reduced. Nerve dysfunction can also diminish feeling in the penis, resulting in impotence. Many medications can cause erectile dysfunction by impairing either vascular or nerve function.
Medical conditions that can lead to neurovascular dysfunction include:
- Diabetes —can interfere with nerve signals
- Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)—can reduce blood flow
- Peripheral neuropathy , spinal cord injury, and surgery—can affect nerve function
Psychological Factors:Psychological factors account for 10%-15% of erectile dysfunction cases. The brain initiates many of the nerve signals required for a successful erection. Problems in your relationship, feelings of guilt associated with sex, depression , anxiety , and stress can all lead to erectile dysfunction
An estimated 25-30 million US men have erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction increases with age, affecting about 20% of men aged 20 and older and 78% of men aged 75 and older.
What are the risk factors for erectile dysfunction?
What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction?
How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed?
What are the treatments for erectile dysfunction?
Are their screening tests for erectile dysfunction?
How can I reduce my risk of erectile dysfunction?
What questions should I ask my doctor?
Where can I get more information about erectile dysfunction?
Psychological factors, such as stress, can play a significant role in erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction can also be stressful and exacerbate existing psychological challenges.
L-carnitine (carnitine) is a substance used by the body uses to turn fat into energy. It is not normally considered an essential nutrient because the body can manufacture all it needs. However, supplemental carnitine could in theory improve the ability of certain tissues to produce energy. This has led to the use of carnitine for various muscle diseases as well as heart conditions.
Dietary sources of carnitine include eggs, fish, meat and milkdairy.
L-carnitine (carnitine) is a substance used by the body uses to turn fat into energy. It is not normally considered an essential nutrient because the body can manufacture all it needs. However, supplemental carnitine could in theory improve the ability of certain tissues to produce energy. This has led to the use of carnitine for various muscle diseases as well as heart conditions.
Dietary sources of carnitine include eggs, fish, meat and dairy.
Carnitine is best known and researched as an energy-boosting substance. The body uses it to turn fat into energy. Supplemental carnitine is used to improve the ability of certain tissues, such as muscle, to produce energy. It may be helpful for treating erectile dysfunction by enhancing the nerve functions that are involved in creating and maintaining an erection.
Acupuncture is part of a larger system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, illnesses are described as complex patterns of energetic imbalances and blockages in the body. Treatment is based not only on a medical diagnosis, but on identifying the unique energetic dynamics at play in each individual patient and seeking to correct imbalances and blockages with the use of fine needles. Because of this individual approach, not all men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction would receive the same acupuncture treatment.
Although there is not much scientific research supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture for erectile dysfunction, acupuncture may be worth trying because it is a low-risk treatment an that can have many pleasant and helpful effects on the body, including inducing deep relaxation. This may be particularly beneficial for men whose erectile dysfunction is caused or exacerbated by stress.
The exact effects of acupuncture are not widely known or proven clear in modern scientific terms. Acupuncture is believed to effect muscles, nerves, and body chemicals such as hormones and neurotransmitters. In general traditional terms, acupuncture seeks to restore the normal circulation of energy within specific channels, called meridians, and improve overall health by promoting the balance of energy in the whole body. Acupuncture may be helpful in erectile dysfunction by targeting the specific problems causing the dysfunction and also supporting the patient's overall health.
Acupuncture treatment is typically offered by acupuncturists whose primary practice is acupuncture and supporting treatments. may be practiced by a variety of professionals, and licensure laws in the United States vary by state. Look for a licensed acupuncturist ("L.Ac."). Other health professionals such as naturopaths, chiropractors and doctors physicians might also use acupuncture as part of their practice.
For more information, see "How to Choose a Qualified Acupuncturist" in the acupuncture article.
Acupuncture may be practiced by a variety of professionals, and licensure laws in the United States vary by state. Look for a licensed acupuncturist ("L.Ac."). Other health professionals such as naturopaths, chiropractors and physicians might also use acupuncture as part of their practice.
For more information, see "How to Choose a Qualified Acupuncturist" in the acupuncture article.
Acupuncture is part of a larger system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, illnesses are described as complex patterns of energetic imbalances and blockages in the body. Treatment is based not only on a medical diagnosis, but on identifying the unique energetic dynamics at play in each individual patient and seeking to correct imbalances and blockages with the use of fine needles. Because of this individual approach, not all men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction would receive the same acupuncture treatment.
Although there is not much scientific research supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture for erectile dysfunction, acupuncture may be worth trying because it is a low-risk treatment that can have many pleasant and helpful effects on the body, including deep relaxation. This may be particularly beneficial for men whose erectile dysfunction is caused or exacerbated by stress.
Acupuncture is part of a larger system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, illnesses are described as complex patterns of energetic imbalances and blockages in the body. Treatment is based not only on a medical diagnosis, but on identifying the unique energetic dynamics at play in each individual patient and seeking to correct imbalances and blockages with the use of fine needles. Because of this individual approach, not all men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction would receive the same acupuncture treatment.
Although there is not much scientific research supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture for erectile dysfunction, acupuncture may be worth trying because it is a low-risk treatment that can have many pleasant and helpful effects on the body, including deep relaxation. This may be particularly beneficial for men whose erectile dysfunction is caused or exacerbated by stress.
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Acupuncture is part of a larger system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, illnesses are described as complex patterns of energetic imbalances and blockages in the body. Treatment is based not only on a medical diagnosis, but on identifying the unique energetic dynamics at play in each individual patient and seeking to correct imbalances and blockages with the use of fine needles. Because of this individual approach, not all men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction would receive the same acupuncture treatment.
Although there is not much scientific research supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture for erectile dysfunction, acupuncture may be worth trying because it is a low-risk treatment that can have many pleasant and helpful effects on the body, including deep relaxation. This may be particularly beneficial for men whose erectile dysfunction is caused or exacerbated by stress.
The exact effects of acupuncture are not clear in modern scientific terms. Acupuncture is believed to effect muscles, nerves, and body chemicals such as hormones and neurotransmitters. In general Acupuncture is part of a larger, complex system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, illnesses are described as complex patterns of imbalances and blockages. Treatment is based not on medical diagnosis, but on identifying energetic imbalances and blockages in each individual patient and seeking to correct them. Because of this, men who are diagnosed with erectile dysfunction might actually receive different treatments, depending on the acupuncturist's analysis of the unique dynamics at play in each patient's body. Based on this analysis, fine needles are inserted into specific points. The goal is to traditional terms, acupuncture seeks to restore the normal circulation of energy within specific channels, called meridians, and improve overall health by promoting the balance of energy in the whole body. Acupuncture may be helpful in erectile dysfunction by targeting the specific problems causing the dysfunction and also supporting the patient's overall health.
The exact effects of acupuncture are not clear in modern Western medical scientific terms. Acupuncture is believed to effect muscles, nerves, and body chemicals such as hormones and neurotransmitters. In general traditional terms, acupuncture seeks to restore the normal circulation of energy within specific channels, called meridians, and improve overall health by promoting the balance of energy in the whole body. Acupuncture may be helpful in erectile dysfunction by targeting the specific problems causing the dysfunction and also supporting the patient's overall health.
The exact effects of acupuncture are not clear in modern scientific terms. Acupuncture is believed to effect muscles, nerves, and body chemicals such as hormones and neurotransmitters. In general traditional terms, acupuncture seeks to restore the normal circulation of energy within specific channels, called meridians, and improve overall health by promoting the balance of energy in the whole body. Acupuncture may be helpful in erectile dysfunction by targeting the specific problems causing the dysfunction and also supporting the patient's overall health.
In a small study, acupuncture proved superior to fake ("sham") acupuncture for treatment of erectile dysfunction.1
Findings from acupuncture studies are often considered limited because acupuncture cannot be performed according to the double-blind method preferred in rigorous scientific research. Practitioners administering treatment know whether they are providing genuine or fake (sham) acupuncture, and they may unconsciously communicate this to the subjects in the study. Proponents of acupuncture argue that this does not mean that acupuncture is not effective, but that the human relationship an and other intangible elements are important aspects of the treatment.
There are three types of medical treatments available for erectile dysfunction: medicationpills, injections, and urethral inserts, and injections. These treatments help create and maintain an erection. The most commonly known treatment for erectile dysfunction is Viagra (sildenafil), a pill; Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (Vardenafil) are similar pill-based medications. Alprostadil (MUSE, Caverject, and Edex) is an injection-based medication that has more immediate effects. An erection can also be created mechanically with implants.
