A narrative review of acupuncture for sexual dysfunction: perspective of traditional Chinese medicine.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

Despite the growing popularity of acupuncture for sexual dysfunction (SD) in the Western world, many clinicians struggle to understand the exact therapeutic mechanism of acupuncture which is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This study aims to describe the fundamentals of acupuncture theory from TCM perspectives and its relevance to SD; evaluate the current state of acupuncture research within literature evidence; and critically analyze its therapeutic effects in premature ejaculation (PE), erectile dysfunction (ED), and female SD.

Methods

All published English-language SD clinical studies treated by acupuncture were searched in PubMed from database inception to 1 April 2024. Articles in non-English languages, case reports, letters, commen

SUBMITTER: Wang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11650351 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature