Premature ejaculation is a sexual dysfunction affecting many men around the world. While pharmaceutical options are readily available, some prefer alternative treatment methods such as acupuncture.
Is acupuncture for premature ejaculation really effective? What happens during acupuncture sessions? Are there downsides to it? Let’s break down what acupuncture is and see if it really helps treat premature ejaculation.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine. It is estimated that the Chinese have been using acupuncture for more than 3,000 years. The goal of acupuncture is to relieve pain and treat various health conditions.
Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points in the body called acupuncture points. Acupuncture points are located along pathways within the human body called meridians.
The Chinese believe that stimulating acupuncture points can help rebalance the flow of energy or qi. They also believe that stimulating acupuncture points trigger the release of natural painkillers within the body. Stimulating acupuncture points is also believed to promote healing by influencing the nervous system, organs, and other tissues.
What happens during an acupuncture session?
The precise procedure during an acupuncture treatment varies depending on the practitioner. At the start of a session, the practitioner will ask you about your symptoms. It will also help if you provide information about your lifestyle. The practitioner will then examine the part of your body requiring treatment. Some practitioners will take note of the shape and colour of your tongue. It is also not unusual for a practitioner to take note of the strength and rhythm of your pulse.
Your practitioner will inform you of the general site that will receive treatment. You might be required to remove clothing if needed. Don’t worry because your practitioner will provide you with a gown or towel for modesty. You will then be asked to lie on a padded table, similar to that used in massages.
The actual treatment involves inserting thin needles into your body. These are very thin needles, thinner than hypodermic needles, so you should feel little discomfort. An acupuncture session often involves the use of between 5 to 20 needles. The only time you might feel a little discomfort is when a needle reaches its core depth.
Practitioners might move the acupuncture needles after placement. They might apply heat or electrical pulses to aid in treatment. Acupuncture needles are often left in place for up to 15 minutes. During this time, you need to relax and try to stay still. After the optimum time, the practitioner will remove all the needles.
A session often takes up to 60 minutes to complete. These treatments often occur once or twice a week. The total number of treatments you will need depends on your health condition, but it is common to receive a total of around 8 treatment sessions.
When do you need acupuncture?
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners use acupuncture to treat various health conditions. However, acupuncture is most commonly used:
For pain – Acupuncture is commonly used to treat chronic or long-term pain. It can be used to treat pain due to arthritis, headaches, migraines, back pain, neck pain, knee pain, or muscle pain. Acupuncture stimulates the nerves and muscles. This stimulation triggers the release of endorphins and other chemicals that help relieve pain and improve one’s mood.
For mental health – Acupuncture might help manage stress. Acupuncture can help maintain balance in the autonomic nervous system. This is the system of the body responsible for controlling involuntary functions such as digestion and heart rate. People under stress often experience digestive issues and acupuncture can help restore balance and bring normality to these functions.
As mentioned earlier, acupuncture can help regulate hormone production. Acupuncture may help reduce the production of cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone. Cortisol levels elevate when a person is under stress. In addition, acupuncture helps increase the production of endorphins. Aside from being natural painkillers, endorphins help reduce stress and improve mood.
For sexual health – Acupuncture helps improve sexual health by regulating hormones and improving blood circulation. Acupuncture might stimulate the endocrine system and help women keep a balanced level of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are crucial for ovulation and menstruation.
Acupuncture helps improve blood circulation to the ovaries, uterus, and the penis. A healthy blood circulation might potentially improve the quality of eggs. For men, acupuncture might help improve the quality, count, and mobility of sperm. These make acupuncture an important treatment for couples who are trying to conceive.
Can acupuncture help premature ejaculation?
When used in combination with other PE treatments, acupuncture might benefit those experiencing premature ejaculation. One of the main causes of premature ejaculation is oversensitivity. When a penis is oversensitive, it is easier to stimulate. This can lead to quicker or uncontrollable ejaculation. According to an article published by the National Library of Medicine, practitioners can stimulate acupuncture points for premature ejaculation. This stimulation can result in an adjustment in neurotransmitters and reduced sensitivity in the penile area. This reduction in penile sensitivity can allow a man to have better control of his urge to ejaculate.
There is also a link between acupuncture and premature ejaculation because of stress. Stress can contribute to premature ejaculation. Men who are stressed are unable to relax and enjoy sexual activities. This can lead to quicker ejaculations. As mentioned earlier, acupuncture can help reduce stress, making acupuncture helpful to those experiencing premature ejaculation because of psychological causes, such as stress.
Advantages of acupuncture for premature ejaculation
- Acupuncture is an alternative treatment you can safely combine with other treatment methods.
- Acupuncture won’t interact with other medications you are taking.
- Acupuncture can target several health conditions at the same time.
- There are minimal risks to acupuncture.
Disadvantages of acupuncture for premature ejaculation
While there are many benefits to acupuncture, there are some disadvantages you need to keep in mind:
- The efficacy of acupuncture is not guaranteed.
- You might experience temporary bruising or soreness in acupuncture sites.
- You might encounter an untrained acupuncture practitioner. Be sure to check the credentials of the practitioner you are planning to go to.
Should I rely on acupuncture as a PE treatment?
The efficacy of acupuncture for premature ejaculation still needs more research and clinical trials. However, you can use it in tandem with other treatment methods.
Instead of relying on acupuncture alone, consider receiving customized treatment for your premature ejaculation. Customized treatment means a treatment plan that addresses the primary cause of your PE. For example, if your PE is because of stress and high blood pressure, a doctor can develop a treatment plan to address both issues at once.
How do custom treatments work? A licensed medical professional will assess your condition. They will perform tests to accurately pinpoint the source of your premature ejaculation. Once they’ve isolated the cause of your PE, they will develop a custom treatment plan to help manage your PE. A custom treatment plan also takes into consideration other health issues you might have. The licensed medical professional will also consider your lifestyle while developing a treatment plan.
A custom treatment plan might include medications, therapy, and healthy lifestyle changes. If you are interested in exploring custom medication for premature ejaculation, feel free to contact a trusted clinic like the Men’s Health Clinic (MHC) for a custom treatment plan for your PE.
Men’s Health Clinic (MHC) is a telehealth clinic specializing in male sexual dysfunctions like PE, erectile dysfunction (ED), and low testosterone. MHC has been in the industry for more than 13 years, providing Canadian men with top-notch solutions for bedroom issues. MHC prides itself with its multi-disciplinary team, consisting of leading experts in sex therapy, psychology, physiotherapy, and nutrition.
Book a FREE consultation with MHC and restore your confidence in the bedroom.
Conclusion
Acupuncture is an alternative treatment method that some men use to treat premature ejaculation. Although there is some research supporting it as an effective method, further studies are still needed to come to a definitive conclusion. If you want to try acupuncture for premature ejaculation, make sure that you consult a licensed doctor to discuss its benefits and potential risks.
If you are interested in learning more about holistic treatment for PE, consult one of our partner doctors at MHC so our clinic can help you attain your peak sexual prowess.
