Sex Advice From Acupuncturists

Dr. Felice Dunas

What’s the most effective acupuncture treatment for a low sex drive?
There isn’t a single one. In traditional Oriental medicine, the internal organs of the body are regarded very differently than they would be by your physician. For example, the liver is responsible for regulating the flow of emotion, whereas the kidney regulates a person’s underlying strength that allows for mental capacity. That’s why when you’re mentally stressed you don’t feel sexual, and it’s why when you’re in bed you’re really stupid.

Is it possible to dissipate your Qi and bring about an early death by having too much sex?
Don’t have sex when you’re tired. You can’t separate sexual vitality and life vitality in Oriental medicine. The teachings suggest the more present you are in your life, the more you cultivate inner awareness with sexuality, the more erogenous a being you become and the longer and healthier you live.

I saw an episode of Sex and the City where one of the characters visits an acupuncturist for fertility treatment. Is there an acupuncture treatment that can serve as a form of contraception?
As an acupuncturist, I wouldn’t support that. People sometimes think about acupuncture in reference to abortions. But if you start messing around with the body’s innate function of carrying and conceiving — or not conceiving — a child, you’re messing with the oldest and most important mechanisms in the whole system. It’s healthier to use the more common methods.

What’s the most erotic non-genital pressure point?
There are points on the inside of the calf that have a direct connection to the genitals. But is that the sexiest part of the body? It depends on how sexy you make it. Most people are very illiterate when it comes to reading the body’s erogenous zones. What will make you aroused is emptying your mind and allowing your body to relax.

What is a good role-playing scenario for beginners?
Oriental medicine would say if you’re going to use sex to enhance your strength and well-being and intelligence, don’t do that, because you’re not inside yourself. You’re not as present. Get comfortable with yourself. So you’re afraid of having wild anal sex unless you pretend to be someone else? You should just face your fear, and be present for the experience.

Dr. Catherine Aquino, 38

What’s the most effective acupuncture treatment for a low sex drive?
We would focus on kidney energy. Kidneys are all about tonifying your strength and resources, which are depleted by stress, diet, and too much drinking and partying. So we would focus on kidney points, which are throughout the body.

What’s the best way to avoid falling asleep right after sex, without resorting to stimulants?
It’s nice to fall asleep after sex. Hopefully it wasn’t five minutes long, and hopefully it was a union of great magic, so it’s appropriate to fall asleep and rest.

While in bed with my girlfriend, I called her by my ex-girlfriend’s name. What do I do?
Apologize to the nth degree. But everybody’s called someone by the wrong name before — though maybe not while having sex. I don’t think it’s such a far leap for people to realize that it means nothing if you did it.

What’s the best food or herbal aphrodisiac?
Chocolate, or anything that makes you feel sexy. I prescribe herbs, but you can’t get them at the grocery store. There are different grasses and bark, and different parts of the animal, sometimes the animal’s urine and feces — but I don’t promote using those. There’s something called lychee fruit that works well for your energy and blood.

What is a good role-playing scenario for beginners?
The best way to express your fantasies is to ask your partner what their fantasy is.

My girlfriend likes experimenting with sadism, but I’m afraid of hot wax and whips. How do I become more comfortable?
You have to be with someone you trust. Start out slowly and experiment. People have different pain thresholds. What’s sadistic for one person isn’t for another. When I encounter someone who is more sensitive, I use fewer needles and smaller gauges. I’m speaking in non-sexual terms, but I’m sure it applies elsewhere.

Dr. E. Reenah McGill, 65

What’s the most effective acupuncture treatment for a low sex drive?
It’s usually a combination of acupuncture and herbs. A lot of times, people have low Qi and don’t have enough energy to do anything. It could be depression, liver fire, liver yang rising, or kidney yin deficiency. I have five positions — two of the needles pointed in toward the testes around the pubic area.

You actually put the needles in the testes? That sounds painful.
Actually it’s not. Two needles point in and two point up and in, and one right in the center, down an inch from the pubic bone. I may add points to the hands, the head, and the feet.

Is it possible to dissipate your Qi and bring about an early death by having too much sex?
In Oriental culture, sex is something you shouldn’t have an interest in as you get older. They have cycles or ages depending on whether you’re male or female. A male cycle is seven years, and a female cycle is six. When a woman reaches twelve, she’s beginning to reach into her sexual ability. At eighteen, she’s almost at the height, and at twenty-four she’s what’s called ‘flourishing’. Men begin their sexual rise, but reach their height at twenty-eight, though they’re given another seven years to ‘flourish’. There’s also a story that women can have an orgasm, but men shouldn’t, as it depletes their energy. So a man should elicit an orgasm from the woman, and feed on that energy.

Kind of like a parasite?
I don’t ascribe to it, personally.

What’s the most erotic non-genital pressure point?
If you go about four inches up from the tailbone along the spine, there’s a spot called Mingmen. That’s the kidney fire point.

What’s a good herbal aphrodisiac?
Yohimbe and horny goat weed.

What’s the best way to avoid falling asleep right after sex, without resorting to stimulants?
Talk.

Does ancient Oriental medicine have a position on group sex? What’s the most important rule?
Don’t stare. It makes other people uncomfortable. And smile. Say what you’re name is. "Hi, I’m Reenah." If they have a beautiful body, there’s no reason you shouldn’t say so. But don’t stare. You’ll look like an amateur.

Dr. Marc Ryan, 42

What’s the most effective acupuncture treatment for treating a low sex drive?
They differ between men and women. First you identify what the issue is in the person. In men, liver Qi stagnation results from stress and a Type A lifestyle. The kidneys are always involved in reproductive health. With women, treatment involves the kidneys and blood deficiency, so we tonify the blood. There are points along in the back along the bladder channel that are good.

Is it possible to dissipate your Qi and bring about an early death by having too much sex?
It depends on your age. The younger you are, the more you have to spend. There’s a whole Taoist canon of sexual practices involving having sex but not ejaculating. You’re getting all the good things from sex, and not sacrificing them. For women, sexual climax is the opposite — it’s very good for the health. Many PMS symptoms can be resolved by having sex before your period.

What’s the most erotic non-genital pressure point?
We look at the channels that run through the genital and breast area, and for men in particular there are points on the interior of the leg that can be stimulating. Just try exploring, massaging, feeling for sensitivities. For women, it’s the same, but the stomach channel can be added. It runs right through the nipples. The ear also has a whole microcosm, too, which is why some people respond to having their ears licked or chewed. The ear is the body inverted, so you could think of the area between the legs as being at the top of the ear.

What’s the best food or herbal aphrodisiac?
Deer antler is one of the primary sexual tonics. Most Chinese herb stores carry it, but some of the best quality is at Korean stores. Ginseng is popular. Fish eggs, raspberries, pine nuts, blue-green algae — though they absorb a lot of environmental toxins. I recommend fish eggs.

Does ancient Oriental medicine have a position on group sex?
Do what your Mom taught you. Be polite. Say please and thank you.  n°

Interviews by Justin Clark. Sex Advice From… appears on Thursdays. Have questions for the general public? Send them to .