title: Overview of the relevant literature on the possible role of acupuncture in treating male sexual dysfunction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To systematically review scientific reports on the effectiveness of acupuncture to treat male sexual dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Medline database was searched for published clinical trials of acupuncture for erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE) with English abstracts. Risk of bias was assessed for randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven studies on two conditions of male sexual dysfunction met the inclusion criteria. Three out of four RCTs were patient-blinded, but all had a high risk of bias. Three suggested that acupuncture has a therapeutic effect as compared with sham acupuncture. Comparisons with paroxetine were inconsistent. Other uncontrolled studies and case series suggested satisfactory improvements of ED and PE after acupuncture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupuncture appears to have promise for treating male sexual dysfunction, but in view of the small number of studies and their variable quality, doubts remain about its effectiveness. Further studies are justified.
authors: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang-Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors: Ming-Yen
authors: MY
authors: Tsai
authors: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang-Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Chun-Ting
authors: CT
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang-Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Cheng-Chieh
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9553-8342
authors: CC
authors: Chang
authors: School of Chinese Medicine for Post Baccalaureate, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Shih-Yu
authors: SY
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang-Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Sheng-Teng
authors: ST
authors: Huang
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061686:Premature Ejaculation / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Acupuncture; Genitourinary Medicine