Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Urinary Difficulty — Restoring the Urinary Stream with Korean Medicine
Table of Contents
Symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), experienced by more than half of men over 50, presents with a weakened urinary stream, a sense of residual urine after voiding, and nocturia of two to three or more episodes per night. Hesitancy (delayed start), intermittent flow (interrupted urination), and post-void dribbling onto underwear are also common. The condition substantially lowers quality of life and, if neglected, can lead to acute urinary retention — an emergency in which urine cannot be passed at all.
Kidney yang deficiency and impaired bladder qi transformation
In Korean medicine, urination occurs through the qi-transforming function of the bladder, and the driving force of this transformation comes from kidney yang. As kidney yang gradually weakens with age, the bladder's ability to expel urine declines, and blood flow around the prostate stagnates, causing the tissue to enlarge. Kidney yang deficiency is the core pathology of BPH.
Palmijihwang-hwan (Bawei Dihuang Wan)
Palmijihwang-hwan (also known as Geumgwesingihwan) is a representative formula that tonifies kidney yang. Rehmannia, Cornus, Dioscorea, Alisma, Poria, and Moutan build the foundation of kidney yin, while Aconite and Cinnamon ignite the gate-of-life fire and restore the bladder's qi-transforming power.
- When nocturia is the chief complaint: Combine with Suk-cheon-hwan (Lindera and Alpinia oxyphylla)
- When residual urine sensation is severe: Add Plantago seed and Polyporus to promote diuresis and unblock urinary passages
- When the urinary stream is very weak: Add Astragalus and Cimicifuga to lift qi and raise the yang
Acupuncture — Guanyuan and Zhongji
Guanyuan (CV4) and Zhongji (CV3) are acupoints in the lower abdomen that directly influence the bladder and prostate. Guanyuan is the gateway of original qi and reinforces kidney yang, while Zhongji is the front-mu point of the bladder and directly regulates urinary function. Adding Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Yinlingquan (SP9) further smooths fluid metabolism in the lower jiao. With consistent treatment over two to three months, the frequency of nocturia and the sense of residual urine improve.