2019 Volume 56 Issue 3 Pages 139-145
Acupuncture has been performed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients undergoing several factors. Among our patients with psychogenic, endocrine, vascular, diabetic or neurogenic ED, 58% (15 out of 26 cases) indicated improved ED with manual acupuncture at sacral region (Zhongliao, BL-33). Moreover, we reported one case of ED in a sildenafil (phosphodiesterase type 5; PDE-5) non-responder was successfully treated with acupuncture at BL-33. The specific underlying mechanism of acupuncture on erectile function remain unknown. We have indicated some findings using intracavernousal pressure (ICP) in anesthetized rats. Electro acupuncture (EA) stimulation at 5.0 mA of the sacral region decreases ICP of erectile state via sympathetic nerve. On the other hand, ICP is increased by EA to the sacral region in non-erectile state. An increase in ICP induced by EA is mediated by nitric oxide releases via excitation of the pelvic nerve descending from the central nervous system. Although the evidence is insufficient to suggest that acupuncture is an effective intervention for treating ED, select populations of ED patients may benefit.
