Continued...

Excessive sexual activity

Since ancient times in China excessive sexual activity has been considered a cause of disease because it tends to deplete the Kidney Essence. In the West, excessive sexual activity is hardly ever thought to be detrimental to health.

By “excessive sexual activity”- is meant actual ejaculation for men and or for women. Sexual activities not culminating in orgasm are e not thought to be depleting to the Kidney Essence (life essence).

The sexual essences of both men and women are the outwards manifestation of the Kidney Essence. For this reason, the loss of these sexual essences leads to a temporary loss of Kidney- Essence. Under normal circumstances, however, this loss is quickly made up, and normal sexual activity does not lead to disease. It is only when it is excessive that the loss of Essence caused by sex is such that the body does not have time to recuperate and restore the Essence.

Of course, it is impossible to say what “normal” sexual activity is as this is entirely relative and dependent on the person’s constitu e tion and strength of Essence. What may constitute “excess sex” for a person with weak Kidneys, may be normal to another and vicey versa. One can, however define sexual activity as “excessive” if it results in marked fatigue, and even more so if it causes certain other specific symptoms, such as dizziness, blurred vision, a lower back ache, weak knees and frequent urination.. The important thing to realize is that d sexual activity should be adjusted according to age, physical condition and even the seasons.

Excessive Sexual activity ought to be adjusted according to one’s age, an idea which is often totally alien to most people in our society. The book “Classic of the Simple Girl” (Sui dynasty 581—618) gives an indication of recommended frequency of ejaculation for men according to age and health condition.

Age	In good health	Average health
15	2x/day	Once/day
20	2x/day	Once/day
30	Once/day	Every other day
40	Every 3 days	Every 4 days
50	Every 5 days	Every 10 days
60	Every 10 days	Every 20 days
70	Every 30 days	None

Of course, this should not he taken literally, but only as a broad guideline.

Sexual activity should obviously be reduced if there is a deficiency of Qi or Blood, and parti cularly a deficiency of the Kidneys.

Finally, sexual activity should also be adjusted according to seasons, increasing in Spring and declining in Winter.

Although these “rules” should he interpreted loosely, as practitioners of Chinese Medicine, we should be able to advise our patients on this question.

Bibliography:

The Fundation of Chinese Medicine – A compresinve Text for Acupuncturist and Herbalists, by Givanni Maciocia, ISBN 0-443-03980-1
http://health.discovery.com/centers/althealth/dysfunction.html
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/25959-1.asp