Patient's question:
How does Traditional Chinese Medicine treat prostatitis?Doctor's answer:
Chronic prostatitis falls under the categories of "white turbidity" and "sperm turbidity" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM considers this condition to be caused by "lower burner damp-heat" and "impaired Qi transformation." TCM has extensive experience in treating chronic prostatitis, with treatment methods divided into two major categories: internal and external treatments.Internal treatment refers to oral herbal medicine therapy. According to TCM's syndrome differentiation and treatment principles, chronic prostatitis is generally classified into five types:
1. Damp-heat stagnation type
This is often the acute phase of chronic prostatitis. Treatment focuses on clearing heat, detoxifying, and draining dampness. If heat is predominant, Ba Zheng San (Eight Treasure Decoction) with modifications is used; if dampness is predominant, Ba Zheng San with Euonymus alatus and Cucurbita ficifolia is prescribed. If both damp-heat are severe, San Miao Wan combined with Bi Yu San with modifications is applied. Ba Zheng He Ji (Eight Treasure Syrup) can also be used. However, these heat-clearing and damp-draining formulas should not be overused for extended periods, as they may damage the spleen and stomach and deplete Yin and fluids.
2. Yin deficiency with excess fire type
Symptoms include frequent masturbation, excessive sexual activity, lower back and leg weakness, general fatigue, restlessness, white discharge at the end of urination, constipation, and dark yellow urine. Treatment focuses on nourishing kidney Yin. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction) with modifications is commonly used.
3. Kidney Yang deficiency type
Symptoms include frequent urination, white discharge from the urethra, cold limbs, lower abdominal and perineal discomfort, damp and cold scrotum, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emissions, dizziness, and headaches. Treatment focuses on warming and tonifying kidney Yang. Gui Fu Ba Wei Wan (Cinnamon and Fu Zi Eight-Ingredient Decoction) with modifications is often prescribed.
4. Qi stagnation and blood stasis type
This type is characterized by a long duration and difficulty in recovery. Symptoms include lower abdominal, perineal, and lumbosacral discomfort, pain, and urethral pricking pain. Treatment focuses on promoting blood circulation to resolve stasis and regulating Qi to unblock stagnation. Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang (Decoction for Reviving Health and Promoting Blood Circulation) is commonly used.