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Acupressure Points for Erectile Dysfunction

Kelly Brown MD, MBA

Reviewed by Kelly Brown MD, MBA

Written by Erica Garza

Published 07/19/2024

Do acupressure points for erectile dysfunction (ED) actually work? You may not think kneecaps have anything to do with erections, but in the world of acupressure, everything’s connected.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupressure points are specific spots on the body where energy is said to flow in and out. When pressure is applied to these “acupoints,” either with a needle or finger, practitioners believe you can relieve symptoms of various health issues, including erectile dysfunction.

But is any of it true? If so, where are these mysterious acupressure points for ED?

Keep reading to find out.

Acupressure is an alternative medicine technique that applies pressure to specific points on the body to free up energy and speed up healing. It’s closely related to acupuncture, only acupressure doesn’t use needles.

Acupuncture, which dates back at least 3,000  years, is based on the idea that your body’s energy (or qi) flows along specific channels. When this qi is unbalanced or trapped, pain and illness can occur.

Acupuncturists believe applying pressure to any of the 361 standardized acupoints in the body can release this trapped energy and reinstate balance.

While acupuncture involves sticking hair-thin needles into these acupoints, acupressure uses fingers or other tools like sticks or probes. Acupressure can be performed by a trained TCM practitioner or, with the right guidance, you can do it yourself.

Personalized Rx

Hard results, delivered

There’s not enough research on using acupressure for erectile dysfunction or other male sexual dysfunctions. But the technique is thought to deliver the same effects as acupuncture, which has been studied more thoroughly.

The National Institutes of Health considers acupuncture a promising therapy for various diseases. This often includes things like chronic pain, constipation, high blood pressure, nausea, anxiety, asthma, fertility problems, and sexual dysfunction.

Contemporary researchers think the practice might help ED by activating the central nervous system, balancing neurotransmitters (brain chemicals), and regulating the release of nitric oxide and neuropeptides involved in erectile function. Acupressure is thought to work the same way by stimulating the same points in the body.

Some purported benefits of acupressure for ED (or jinwei in TCM) include:

  • Enhanced blood flow

  • Increased nitric oxide

  • Improved mood

Also, you can combine acupressure points for erectile dysfunction with ED medication. Here’s what to know.

Enhanced Blood Flow

Traditional Chinese medicine views ED as a problem stemming from deficiencies in the spleen and kidney, as well as blockages in qi and blood flow. The idea is that acupuncture regulates nerve sensitivity and enhances blood flow to help treat ED.

Some evidence shows that applying pressure to certain acupoints, specifically the middle pole (RN3) and guan yuan (RN4), may help boost blood flow to the corpus cavernosum, the spongy part of the penis. This is thought to improve the duration, speed, and rigidness of an erection.

Increased Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide plays a critical role in erections by helping relax the vascular muscle that supplies your penis with blood.

The science backing this claim is extremely limited, though.

Some animal research shows that acupuncture may significantly improve the levels of nitric oxide in penis tissue and elevate erectile function. Previous studies also showed that stimulating certain acupoints can impact pelvic nerve outflow, but more research is needed to confirm.

Improved Mood

Though there are many contributing factors to ED, they aren’t always physical. Psychological ED can be triggered by a number of mental health issues, including performance anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, and general stress.

Some research on acupuncture and acupressure shows that these practices may improve mood and relieve stress, which can indirectly help ED.

In a small, six-week study of men with psychological ED, 64 patients did 18 acupuncture treatment sessions, which greatly improved their erectile hardness and quality of life compared to sham acupuncture. The treatment also minimized their symptoms of anxiety and depression. The positive effects of treatment lasted up to four weeks.

Other studies specific to acupressure (but not specific to ED) have found that pressing acupoints with fingers significantly reduces anxiety by altering stress hormones, sympathetic nervous system activity (known as the “fight-or-flight” response), and heart rate variability (how much time between each heartbeat).

Can Be Combined With ED Medication

An interesting finding from a 2019 study was that acupuncture combined with the popular ED medication tadalafil (generic for Cialis®) improved ED symptoms more significantly than tadalafil alone.

However, researchers pointed out that acupuncture treatment didn’t differ that much from sham acupuncture in terms of patient satisfaction. And more research is needed to justify these findings.

Choose your chew

There are various erectile dysfunction pressure points for male arousal throughout the body. Some of the most studied acupoints for men’s health include:

  • Tianshu (ST25)

  • Zusanli (ST36)

  • Middle pole (RN3)

  • Guan yuan (CV4 or RN4)

  • Shenshu (BL23)

Keep reading for details about these acupressure points for erectile dysfunction.

Tianshu (ST25)

Tianshu (ST25) is located on the stomach about three finger widths to either side of the belly button.

Some research shows that the tianshu acupuncture point helps regulate neurotransmitter 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine, aka serotonin) levels and reduces nerve sensitivity. This may extend the time it takes to reach orgasm and help you maintain an erection.

Zusanli (ST36)

Zusanli (ST36) is located below the kneecap on the anterior (front) side of the leg.

Like tianshu, the zusanli acupoint may also lower nerve sensitivity to help prolong sexual intercourse, according to research.

Because of their ability to delay ejaculation, the tianshu and zusanli acupressure points might help with both ED and premature ejaculation (PE).

Middle Pole (RN3)

The middle pole (RN3) acupoint is located in the lower abdomen on the border of the pubic bone.

If you’re trying to shorten the time it takes to get an erection, you may want to press on this pressure point. Studies have shown it can increase blood flow to the penis, which could help you get an erection faster and increase the hardness of your erection.

Guan Yuan (CV4 or RN4)

The guan yuan (CV4 or RN4) pressure point is also located on the abdomen above the middle pole.

Some research shows that stimulation from this point can spread to the front of the penis or perineum. In some cases, a practitioner will combine acupressure or acupuncture with moxibustion, which involves burning ground mugwort to warm the area.

This is thought to improve erectile quality by stimulating the cavernous nerve, plexus nerve, prostate, and bladder nerves (all crucial for healthy erections).

Shenshu (BL23)

The shenshu (BL23) acupressure point is located on the lower back between the second and third vertebrae, about two finger widths on each side of the spine.

This pressure point has historically been used to treat erectile dysfunction, along with other ailments like back pain, vertigo, and tinnitus. It’s thought to work by stimulating both the somatic and sympathetic nervous systems.

Other research suggests that this pressure point is connected to kidney health, which TCM practitioners believe supports erectile function.

Other Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

As you can see, there’s a reason acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years. Research is constantly emerging on the efficacy of acupuncture and how well it works compared to other treatments. But we still don’t know if acupressure produces the same results as acupuncture for ED.

If you can’t take ED medications or want something less invasive than vacuum suction devices or penile implants, acupressure therapy might be worth a try. You can conveniently practice it at home or visit a TCM practitioner if you can’t find some of those points.

Other options for the treatment of erectile dysfunction include:

  • PDE5 inhibitors. This class of drugs includes Viagra® (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra® (vardenafil), and Stendra® (avanafil). They work as vasodilators, helping open up blood vessels to encourage blood flow to the penis.

  • Talk therapy. Psychological ED is more common than you may think. Talking to a therapist can help you figure out if a mental health issue is affecting your sexual function.

  • Healthy lifestyle habits. What you eat, how much alcohol you drink, and how well you sleep all impact your sexual health. Take a good look at your habits and see if there’s room for improvement. You can also consider taking vitamins and supplements to close nutritional gaps.

  • Tools and devices. Penis rings, penis pumps, vacuum devices, and even penile implant surgery are all options for the treatment of ED. Some are more invasive than others. Ask your healthcare provider about the latest solutions.

Personalized Rx

Enjoy sex like you used to

Acupressure appears to be a promising treatment for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

But remember, there’s still a lot we don’t know about the practice. With that said, it might be worth using acupuncture alongside other treatments for the best results.

Here’s what to keep in mind about acupressure points for erectile dysfunction:

  • There’s a lack of research on acupressure as an ED treatment. We can’t confirm the safety or efficacy of acupressure for ED. Most of the available research focuses on acupuncture (the one with needles), and it’s unclear if the results of acupressure will be the same.

  • Research that does exist is promising. Numerous studies suggest that stimulating pressure points can improve symptoms of ED by increasing blood flow, stimulating specific nerves, and balancing stress hormones.

  • Acupressure points are plentiful. We only shared a few pressure points connected to erectile function. There are many more throughout the body to investigate.

  • Acupressure is just one of many treatments for ED. Beyond acupressure or acupuncture, ED treatments include prescription medication, tools and devices, therapy, and healthy lifestyle changes. Sometimes, taking a multi-pronged approach can bring faster results.

Want to learn more about treating ED with alternative medicine? Check out these natural remedies for ED, find out if you should use essential oils for erectile dysfunction, and learn all about massage therapy for ED.

11 Sources

  1. Chen SU, et al. (2022). Effects of Acupressure on Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/jicm.2020.0256
  2. Gonzalez SA, et al. (2017). Acupuncture Points and Their Relationship with Multireceptive Fields of Neurons. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2005290117300390
  3. Lai BA, et al. (2019). Acupuncture for Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6704310/
  4. Li HA, et al. (2017). Traditional Chinese medical therapy for erectile dysfunction. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5422677/
  5. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). (2022). Acupuncture: What You Need to Know. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture-what-you-need-to-know
  6. Umemoto KA, et al. (2016). Anatomical relationship between BL23 and the posterior ramus of the L2 spinal nerve. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26508662/
  7. Wang HA, et al. (2022). The Efficacy of Acupuncture on Patients with Erectile Dysfunction: A Review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9110168/
  8. Wang HA, et al. (2023). Efficacy of acupuncture for psychogenic erectile dysfunction: a randomized, sham-controlled trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10734192/
  9. Wang JI, et al. (2019). The safety and efficacy of acupuncture for erectile dysfunction. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6336605/
  10. Zhou YU, et al. (2022). The efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8154417/
  11. Zhuang YI, et al. (2013). History of acupuncture research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24215915/
Editorial Standards

Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.

Kelly Brown MD, MBA
Kelly Brown MD, MBA

Dr. Kelly Brown is a board certified Urologist and fellowship trained in Andrology. She is an accomplished men’s health expert with a robust background in healthcare innovation, clinical medicine, and academic research. Dr. Brown was previously Medical Director of a male fertility startup where she lead strategy and design of their digital health platform, an innovative education and telehealth model for delivering expert male fertility care.

She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. She took a position at University of California Los Angeles as a radiologic technologist in the department of Interventional Cardiology, further solidifying her passion for medicine. She also pursued the unique opportunity to lead departmental design and operational development at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, sparking her passion for the business of healthcare.

Dr. Brown then went on to obtain her doctorate in medicine from the prestigious Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine and Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, with a concentration in Healthcare Management. During her surgical residency in Urology at University of California San Francisco, she utilized her research year to focus on innovations in telemedicine and then served as chief resident with significant contributions to clinical quality improvement. Dr. Brown then completed her Andrology Fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin, furthering her expertise in male fertility, microsurgery, and sexual function.

Her dedication to caring for patients with compassion, understanding, as well as a unique ability to make guys instantly comfortable discussing anything from sex to sperm makes her a renowned clinician. In addition, her passion for innovation in healthcare combined with her business acumen makes her a formidable leader in the field of men’s health.

Dr. Brown is an avid adventurer; summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (twice!) and hiking the incredible Torres del Paine Trek in Patagonia, Chile. She deeply appreciates new challenges and diverse cultures on her travels. She lives in Denver with her husband, two children, and beloved Bernese Mountain Dog. You can find Dr. Brown on LinkedIn for more information.

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