Chronic Prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis (CP) refers to a group of conditions characterized by symptoms and signs such as pain or discomfort in the pelvic region and urinary abnormalities. It can be classified as chronic bacterial prostatitis (Category II), chronic abacterial inflammatory prostatitis (Category IIIA), chronic abacterial non-inflammatory prostatitis (Category IIIB), and asymptomatic prostatitis (Category IV). The condition generally has a prolonged course, can be difficult to resolve, and may recur. It is one of the most common diseases of the genitourinary system. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it falls within the categories of “jing zhuo” (turbid seminal discharge), “lin syndrome” (urinary dysfunction), and “bai zhuo” (white turbid discharge).
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Formula Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Frequent, urgent, or painful urination; a burning sensation in the urethra; post-void dribbling; whitish discharge at the end of urination; scrotal dampness; a red tongue with a yellow or yellow, greasy coating; and a slippery, rapid or wiry, rapid pulse.
In Plain Language:
- Needing to urinate often and urgently, with pain during urination.
- A burning or stinging sensation in the urethra when urinating.
- A weak, dribbling stream that is difficult to stop cleanly.
- Whitish discharge may appear at the end of urination.
- The scrotum may feel damp and sticky rather than dry.
- The tongue may appear somewhat red.
- The tongue coating may be yellow or yellow and greasy.
- The pulse may feel slippery and fast, or tense and fast.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Clear heat, promote dampness drainage, and transform turbidity.
In Plain Language:
- This TCM approach is intended to clear internal heat and promote the elimination of dampness and turbidity; it is traditionally used for symptoms such as feeling hot or thirsty, heaviness in the body, or difficulty urinating.
- It is intended to transform turbid accumulation and reduce internal turbidity; it is traditionally used for discomforts such as a sticky feeling in the mouth, nausea, poor appetite, or a thick, greasy tongue coating.
|Related Formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Dull, dragging pain or distending discomfort in the lower abdomen, perineum, testes, penis, lumbosacral region, or groin, sometimes with sharp, stabbing pain; symptoms may worsen with prolonged sitting or exposure to cold. The tongue may be dusky or have purple spots or patches, and the pulse is often deep and choppy.
In Plain Language:
- There may be a dragging, distending ache in the lower abdomen, perineum, testes, penis, lumbosacral region, or groin, or sharp, stabbing pain.
- Symptoms may worsen after sitting for a long time or being exposed to cold.
- The tongue may look dusky, with purple spots or patches.
- The pulse may feel deep and choppy, with an uneven or rough quality.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Invigorate blood, dispel blood stasis, unblock the collaterals, and relieve pain.
In Plain Language:
- This TCM approach is intended to promote blood circulation and address blood stasis; it is traditionally used for signs such as bruising, masses, or menstrual irregularities.
- It is intended to promote flow through the meridians and relieve pain; it is traditionally used for discomforts such as numbness, stabbing pain, or aching pain.
|Related Formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Dragging, distending discomfort or dull pain in the perineum, lower abdomen, suprapubic region, lumbosacral region, or around the anus; dribbling or incomplete urination; and possibly unsatisfactory or loose stools. Often accompanied by chest tightness, frequent sighing, irritability, or anxiety, with symptoms worsening as mood changes. The tongue is pale red with a thin white coating, and the pulse is wiry.
In Plain Language:
- A dragging, heavy discomfort and dull ache may occur in the perineum, lower abdomen, suprapubic region, lumbosacral region, or around the anus.
- Urination may be dribbling and feel incomplete.
- Bowel movements may be difficult or loose.
- Chest tightness, frequent sighing, irritability, or anxiety may occur, and symptoms may worsen with emotional fluctuations.
- The tongue may be pale red.
- The tongue coating may be thin and white.
- The pulse may feel taut, like a plucked string.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Soothe the liver and relieve constraint; regulate qi and relieve pain.
In Plain Language:
- This TCM approach is intended to soothe liver qi and relieve constraint; it is traditionally used for discomforts such as fullness in the chest and flanks, low mood, or frequent sighing.
- It is intended to regulate qi and relieve pain; it is traditionally used for symptoms such as chest tightness, distension in the flanks, abdominal distension or pain, and other bodily pain.
|Related Formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Post-void dribbling, hesitant or obstructed urination, and occasional turbid seminal discharge; soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees; dizziness and blurred vision; insomnia with vivid dreams; nocturnal emission or premature ejaculation; sensations of heat in the palms, soles, and chest; and dry throat and mouth. The tongue is red with a scant or dry coating, and the pulse is deep and fine or fine and rapid.
In Plain Language:
- Urine may continue to dribble after urination, with a feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely.
- Urination may feel hesitant or difficult, with a noticeable sense of obstruction.
- At times, whitish, cloudy, semen-like fluid may drip out with the urine.
- The lower back and knees may feel sore, weak, or tired, especially after standing or walking for a long time.
- Dizziness or blurred vision may occur, with vision seeming unsteady.
- Sleep may be poor, with difficulty falling asleep, vivid dreams, or frequent waking.
- Nocturnal emission or premature ejaculation may occur, and sexual stamina may be reduced.
- The palms, soles, or chest may feel hot, sometimes with a sensation of restlessness and heat.
- The throat and mouth may feel dry, with an increased desire to drink.
- The tongue may appear red and somewhat dry.
- The tongue coating may be scant or dry, and the tongue surface may lack moisture.
- The pulse may feel deep and fine, or fine and somewhat rapid.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Nourish kidney yin and clear deficient fire.
In Plain Language:
- This TCM approach is intended to nourish kidney yin; it is traditionally used for discomforts such as soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, or heat in the palms and soles.
- It is intended to clear excessive ministerial fire; it is traditionally used for symptoms such as restlessness, insomnia, mouth or tongue sores, facial flushing, or hot flashes.
|Related Formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Soreness and weakness in the lower back and legs; aversion to cold and low energy; cold pain in the epigastrium and lower abdomen; cold hands and feet; frequent urination with pale, copious urine and post-void dribbling; loose stools or predawn diarrhea; and possibly erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation. The tongue is pale and swollen, with a white coating or teeth marks, and the pulse is deep and weak.
In Plain Language:
- The lower back may ache, and both legs may feel weak or tired, especially after walking for a long time.
- You may feel unusually cold and lack energy, with low spirits.
- The upper abdomen around the stomach and the lower abdomen may feel cold and painful; warmth may bring some relief.
- The hands and feet may often feel cold.
- Urination may be frequent, with pale urine, and dribbling may continue after urination.
- Stools may be loose, or diarrhea may occur around dawn; the stools may be poorly formed.
- Erectile difficulties or premature ejaculation may also occur, with reduced sexual performance.
- The tongue may be pale and swollen, with a white coating or tooth marks along the edges.
- The pulse may feel deep and weak, with insufficient force.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Warm and tonify the spleen and kidneys.
In Plain Language:
- This TCM approach is intended to warm and support spleen and kidney yang and nourish the body’s vital qi; it is traditionally used for discomforts such as aversion to cold, cold limbs, poor appetite, or soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees.
- It is intended to support digestion and fluid metabolism; it is traditionally used for symptoms such as abdominal bloating, loose stools, difficulty urinating, or a heavy feeling in the body.
|Related Formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Li Yueqing. TCM Surgery [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2002: 291–293.
- Wang Xiaofeng, Zhu Jichuan, Deng Chunhua. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Andrological Diseases in China [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2013: 118–167.
- Li Hongjun. Standard Clinical Practice in Andrology [M]. Beijing: China Medical Science Press, 2015: 144–150.
- Jin Baofang, Sun Dalin, Zhang Xindong, et al. Reconsidering the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis and the choice of traditional Chinese medicine [J]. Global Chinese Medicine, 2012, 5(7): 494–498.