Acupuncture is an ancient medical practice used for many centuries as a natural solution to improve your sex drive.
A recent study has shown that acupuncture can help increase female libido and arousal as well as improve sexual desire, while reducing pain during sex.(1) It can also help to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve wellness.
As a doctor of acupuncture, I will share how acupuncture works to improve sexual function, explain the clinical research that shows that it works, and also how Chinese medicine understands and addresses this issue.
- 1 Female Sexual Dysfunction Symptoms
- 2 Female Sexual Dysfunction Causes
- 3 Acupuncture’s Benefits for Female Sexual Dysfunction
- 4 Restoring Balance
- 5 The Yin and Yang of Sexual Health
- 6 Clinical Research Shows Acupuncture Enhances Sexual Function in Women
- 7 Integrating Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
- 8 Feel Better, Get Acupuncture!
Female Sexual Dysfunction Symptoms
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) symptoms include low libido, pain during sex, and difficulty achieving orgasm. It affects roughly 40% of women. It can become a significant burden in one’s life and relationships but it is often hard to speak about the issue.
Female Sexual Dysfunction Causes
There are many causes of female sexual dysfunction. Overactive pelvic floor muscles and pelvic pain can contribute to female sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, women who are approaching menopause are at an increased risk for FSD, highlighting changes in hormones as a common cause.
Acupuncture’s Benefits for Female Sexual Dysfunction
The benefits of acupuncture for FSD include increased blood flow, relieving dryness, and reducing pain during intercourse as well as other symptoms like stress and anxiety.
Studies have shown that acupuncture can improve ovarian function, treat premature ovarian failure, and regulate estrogen levels (2,3,4). Scientists believe that acupuncture regulates hormones by improving the function of the neuroendocrine system (5).
Restoring Balance
Acupuncture involves a comprehensive approach to determine the underlying imbalance in the body causing the health concern. The treatment is then customized to your specific imbalance. Think of acupuncture as a reset button for your body, restoring its equilibrium and enhancing its functions.
According to Chinese medical theory, decreased sexual desire is due to a deficiency in Qi, the body’s energy. Qi flows throughout the body giving you the ability to function. When the Qi levels decline or stagnate, that is when circulation is impeded, illness occurs.
Acupuncture works by removing blockages and increasing the amount of Qi. By targeting the correct acupuncture points, we are able to correct the root imbalance leading to long-term improvements.
The Yin and Yang of Sexual Health
In Traditional Chinese Medicine health is a state of balance. One aspect of this balance is Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang represent opposing and interconnected qualities in the body. When one is too little or too much, imbalances occur.
Yin embodies qualities such as coolness, quiet, and moisture, whereas yang represents heat, activity, and dryness. For the body to maintain optimal health, these energies must remain in equilibrium.
Yin deficiency is linked to symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness in women. Conversely, a yang deficiency might lead to a diminished libido and sexual desire. Acupuncture treatment is tailored to correct these imbalances. Depending on the individual’s needs, acupuncture may focus on enhancing the body’s yin to counterbalance excess yang, or alternatively, it may aim to bolster yang energy.
Clinical Research Shows Acupuncture Enhances Sexual Function in Women
A recently published study shows that acupuncture improves the quality of sex life of women.(1) The researchers conducted a small study in which twenty-four women were treated with acupuncture. After the treatment, all of the women improved their desire and arousal scores. Their orgasm rate also improved.
The acupuncture treatment focused on the treatment principle of tonifying the kidney essence and regulating the chong and ren channels. Additionally, the aim was to “promote normal hormone release, and relieve anxiety “
Acupuncture points treated gynecological diseases, reduced stress, and relieved pelvic pain.
The points were all bilateral except for points on Ren and Du channels. The acupuncture treatment lasted for 30 minutes. Front and back treatments were alternated, treatment was given every other day 2-3 times per week.
Acupuncture Points Front Treatment
Zhongwan- Ren 12
Tianshu- Stomach 25
Daimai- Gall Bladder 26
Zi gong xue- Ovaries Extraordinary point
Huangshu -Kidney 16
Guan Yuan- Ren 4
Dahe- Kidney 12
Zusanli- Stomach 36
Sanyinjiao- Spleen 6
Taixi- Kidney 3
Taichong- Liver 3
Back Acupuncture Points: With the use of electroacupuncture.
Shenshu- Urinary Bladder 23
Ci Liao- Ub 32
The Results
After the acupuncture treatment, all of the participants had improved their sexual function including improved sex drive, arousal, lubrication, orgasms, and overall satisfaction.
Integrating Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
In my 18 years of experience, I have seen the profound benefits of acupuncture and herbal medicine for addressing Female Sexual Dysfunction. By targeting the root causes of FSD, we aim to restore balance, enhance vitality, and promote a harmonious flow of energy throughout the body.
I will often use herbal medicine focused on enhancing yin and yang to complement the acupuncture treatments in order to bring about long term improvements.
I hope that more research comes out to explore more ways acupuncture and herbal medicine can be optimized for treating FSD.
Feel Better, Get Acupuncture!
Acupuncture is a natural treatment to address female sexual dysfunction. With evidence grounded in both historical wisdom and contemporary research, it offers a path toward enhanced sexual health and overall well-being. Acupuncture and herbal medicine address the root causes of FSD, aiming to restore balance and vitality by harmonizing the body’s energy, or Qi.
As the research shows, acupuncture not only improves sexual function but also contributes to a more fulfilling and satisfying sex life. As we continue to explore and validate these ancient practices through modern science, the potential for acupuncture and herbal medicine to improve quality of life and foster wellness is undeniable.
If you would like to make an appointment please call us at 212-319-5757 or you can also make your appointment online.
References:
- Zhang JT, Ma L, Gong X, Luo S, Zhao S. Clinical Study on the Use of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Pilot Study. Sex Med. 2022 Aug;10(4):100541. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2022.100541. Epub 2022 Jun 20. PMID: 35738039; PMCID: PMC9386623
- Huang DM, Huang G, Lu F, Stefan D, Neuer A, Greb R. Acupuncture for infertility: is it an effective therapy? Chin J Integr Med. 2011 May;17(5):386-95. doi: 10.1007/s11655-011-0611-8. Epub 2011 May 25. PMID: 21611904.
- Lin J, Wu D, Jia L, Liang M, Liu S, Qin Z, Zhang J, Han Y, Liu S, Zhang Y. The Treatment of Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Premature Ovarian Failure. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021;2021:6677767. Published 2021 Apr 15. doi: 10.1155/2021/6677767. PMCID: PMC8062183. PMID: 33936242.
- Xu Y, Zhao W, Li T, Zhao Y, Bu H, Song S. Effects of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2017;12(10):e0186616. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186616. PMID: 29077705; PMCID: PMC5659600.
- Yu JS, Zeng BY, Hsieh CL. Acupuncture stimulation and neuroendocrine regulation. In: International Review of Neurobiology. 2013;111:125-40. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-411545-3.00006-7.
