Patient's question:
I just can't seem to get "sexual interest," the frequency of sexual activity is very low, even if there is, it's like completing a task.Doctor's answer:
1. Precautions before treating sexual apathy?Patients with sexual apathy should eliminate stress, focus on enhancing pleasure for themselves and their partners, and identify and address the causes of low libido. Men must not only overcome their negative emotions but also help their partners transcend psychological barriers. The partner should understand the nature of the problem and its possible causes, avoid putting pressure on herself, and promote communication between both parties.
2. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments for sexual apathy
1. 20g of Tribulus terrestris, 20g of Chinese Cistanche, 20g of Ligustrum lucidum, 15g each of Goji berries, Rubus fragrans, Cornus officinalis, Rosae rugosae, and Cervi cornu praeparatum, 10g each of Plantago asiatica, Buthus martensii, and Cinnamomum chinense, and 6g of Schisandra chinensis.
2. 15g each of Rehmannia glutinosa, Dioscorea opposita, Polygonum multiflorum, and White Peony root, 10g each of Buthus martensii, Angelica sinensis, Atractylodes macrocephala, Alisma orientale, Artemisia argyi, Tribulus terrestris, Eucommia ulmoides, Cervi cornu praeparatum, and Curculigo orchioides, and 3g each of Sichuan pepper, Cinnamon, and Evodia rutaecarpa.
3. 15g each of Astragalus membranaceus, Dioscorea opposita, Polygonum multiflorum, Codonopsis pilosula, Goji berries, and Chinese Cistanche, 20g each of Tribulus terrestris, Ostrea gigas, and Asparagus cochinchinensis, and 10g each of Aconitum carmichaelii, Cynomorium songaricum, and Cornus officinalis.
4. 20g of Red Ginseng, a pair of Goatskin (Cynopterus fuscescens), and 50g of Chinese Cistanche, soaked in 1 liter of rice wine for a week, then consumed.
5. 50g of Chinese Cistanche, sliced, boiled in a pot for 1 hour, then the medicinal residue removed. Add 150–200g of minced lamb, 100g of glutinous rice, and 3–5 slices of ginger, and cook into porridge. Season with oil and salt.
6. 6g of Agarwood, 10g of Gancao, 30g each of Notopterygium incisum, Pogostemon cablin, Syzygium aromaticum, and Cinnamon, 20g each of Amomum villosum, Magnolia liliflora, Sandalwood, and Costus, ground into coarse powder, placed in a cloth bag to make a medicinal pillow for sleeping.
7. Consuming honeysuckle honey or propolis from honeysuckle flowers, collected from natural honeysuckle pollen, is particularly effective for female patients with sexual apathy.
3. Psychological therapy for sexual apathy
Psychological therapy is essential for some women, especially those who have experienced sexual assault. However, due to the scarcity of psychological counseling and treatment institutions in China and the lack of a habit among the general public to seek help from mental health professionals, self-regulation is often necessary. Of course, it would be ideal if they could find a trusted professional to listen to their confessions and comfort their wounded souls.
1. Erotic imagery materials: This is a term used in "Sexology," but how to distinguish it from pornographic materials is subjective. Let’s follow Deng Xiaoping’s principle: "Whether the cat is white or black, as long as it catches mice, it’s a good cat." The principle for viewing erotic imagery materials is: select images that the woman finds acceptable and interesting, allowing her to immerse herself in sexual fantasies and view it as a sexual experience to rekindle her suppressed sexual instincts.
2. Masturbation: Many women find the idea of using masturbation as a form of sexual therapy puzzling, but it is actually an ideal treatment. When women experience sexual climax through self-relaxation and guilt-free sexual fantasies, the satisfaction and pleasure derived from the climax are the ideal "medicine" for treating low libido. Additionally, it carries no risk of sexually transmitted infections.
3. Harmonious sexual life: While the woman makes an effort, her sexual partner must also cooperate actively. The man should study basic sexual knowledge, improve his sexual ability and techniques. Through sincere communication between both parties, the most satisfying sexual practices for both can be found. When the woman can regularly experience the immense pleasure and satisfaction of sexual climax during normal intercourse, low libido will naturally resolve without medication.
4. Under the guidance of a professional psychologist, patients should undergo mental to alleviate past mental tension or trauma.
4. Massage therapy for sexual apathy
1. Massage of sensitive areas: Sensitive areas refer to body regions or acupoints that can stimulate sexual desire and arousal. They include sensitive zones and points. For women, the most sensitive areas include the ears, neck, inner thighs, armpits, breasts, and nipples, with sensitive points such as "Mingguang" (perineum), "Huoyang" (posterior superior sacral spine), and "Jingmen" (liver 3). When massaging sensitive zones, the man should gently rub slowly, creating a sense of comfort. When massaging sensitive points, use the palm of the hand to press, blending gentleness with firmness to stimulate the woman’s sexual desire. The principle is to ensure the woman experiences pleasure and comfort. Massage once daily.
2. Waist massage: Stand upright with feet shoulder-width apart, press the thumb of the same side against the Shenshu acupoint, and rotate the waist in small, rapid movements while bending left and right. Simultaneously, use both palms to rub from top to bottom. Repeat for 2–3 minutes until a slight warmth is felt deep within the body. Perform 2–3 times daily.
3. Shenque massage: Lie on your back with legs shoulder-width apart, place both palms on the Shenque acupoint, and rotate each side 200 times until a slight warmth is felt deep within the body. Perform 2–3 times daily.
4. Guided exercise: Sit with legs straight and relaxed, place both hands behind you to support the body, spread the toes outward, and arch the upper body backward during inhalation (the torso and head should bend backward). Then, turn the toes inward and bend forward during exhalation, but keep the hands on the ground. Repeat the forward bend and backward arch 3–4 times.