Advanced treatments for erectile dysfunction: injections, vacuum devices, and traditional Chinese medicine remedies
**3.5.7 Direct Intrapenile Drug Injection for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction**
>
> Some vasodilators, such as prostaglandin E and papaverine, are diluted with saline and injected directly into the corpora cavernosa of the penis to induce erection. This method requires self-injection under the guidance of doctors and nurses and after training. It is mainly used for impotence caused by diabetes, hypertension, etc.
>
**3.5.8 Intraurethral Injection for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction**
>
This method is simple and can be self-administered. After disinfecting the urethral opening with an iodine-soaked cotton ball, the medication can be injected directly into the urethra.
>
The drug manufacturers provide patients with diluted medication via syringe, which can be injected directly into the internal urethra 15 minutes before intercourse. The currently used medication is still prostaglandin E, and its side effects include urethral stinging.
>
**3.5.9 Vacuum Device Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction**
>
This device uses a vacuum tube to place the penis inside, then removes the air from the tube to create negative pressure. This negative pressure allows blood to flow back to the penis, stimulating an erection. Once erect, intercourse can take place. This method is simple and has few side effects.
>
**3.5.10 Implantation Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction**
>
This method can be used when other treatments have failed. It involves surgically inserting a prosthesis into the penis. There are two methods: one is to insert an inflatable prosthesis, in which a large amount of water is pumped into the prosthesis before intercourse to induce an erection; the second is to directly insert a pre-formed prosthesis, in which the penis is always in a state similar to an erection. This method is inconvenient and has been gradually phased out.
>
**3.5.11 Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction**
>
> 90g of Deer Antler Grass, 60g each of Leek Seed and Black Aconite Root, 10g each of Cinnamon, Morinda Root, and Sea Dragon, 30g each of Yangqi Stone, Epimedium, Cuscuta Seed, Goji Berry, Atractylodes Rhizome, Psoralea Fruit, and Rehmannia Root, 20g each of Prepared Ginger, Angelica Root, and Ligustrum Fruit.
>
Preparation: Wash the deer antler grass to remove mud and sand, soak it in sea dragon white wine for 1 hour and then roast it until crisp, calcine Yangqi stone and soak it in white wine, stir-fry black aconite root with sand, and grind it into a fine powder with other medicines, and divide it into 42 packets.
>
Take one packet each time, once in the morning and once in the evening, with warm water before meals. One course of treatment is 21 days.
>
Avoid raw and cold foods, and prevent getting angry.
>
This formula takes effect in as little as 3 days after taking the medicine, and generally takes effect in 5 to 9 days.
>
> It will take at the latest 16 days to see results.
>
The overall effective rate was 95%.
>
**3.5.12 Massage Therapy**
>
> (1) Lower abdominal operation
>
Acupoints: Shenque (CV8), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongji (CV3).
>
Techniques: rubbing, kneading, pressing.
>
> Procedure: The patient lies supine. First, press the Shenque acupoint with the heel of the palm until a warm sensation is felt below the navel. The technique should be gentle and deep, lasting about 3 minutes. Then, use the thenar eminence to massage the Qihai, Guanyuan, and Zhongji acupoints for 2 minutes each. Finally, use palm massage on the Qihai and Guanyuan acupoints for about 3 minutes.
>
> The temperature should be warm to the touch.
>
(2) Lower back manipulation
>
Acupoints: Shenshu (BL23), Mingmen (GV4), Yaoyangguan (GV3)
>
Techniques: Pressing, kneading, rubbing, and one-finger pushing and tapping.
>
Operation method: The patient lies on his back. First, massage the Shenshu and Mingmen acupoints. The massage should not be too heavy. After feeling a slight soreness and distension, massage each acupoint for 2 minutes.
>
> Then use a paper to push the middle and middle points for 1 minute each, then switch to the point-rubbing method, with slightly stronger stimulation, for about 1 minute each.
>
Then rub the Yaoyangguan point until the lower abdomen feels warm.
>
> 3.5.13 **Acupuncture**
>
Traditional Chinese medicine theory holds that the kidneys are the foundation of innate essence, store essence and govern reproduction, and are the master of the anterior genitals.
>
The liver governs the free flow of qi, which means to guide, unblock, and release qi.
>
The main acupoints selected are Zhongji, Guilai, Yinbao, Sanyinjiao, Shenshu, Zhibian, Yingu, Taixi, Mingmen, Baihuanyu, Taichong, Zhongfeng, Zusanli, and Dahe, etc., based on the syndrome differentiation.