Acupuncture has been used for a variety of urogenital problems, although to date the most studied condition is irritative bladder symptoms (see GYNECOLOGICAL UROLOGICAL PROBLEMS above). In relieving the pain of renal calculi, acupuncture may be as effective as a combination of antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory drugs, and with significantly more rapid onset of analgesia and no side-effects. (Lee et al 1992). Acupuncture can relieve itching and skin condition in patients with uremic puritis. (Shapiro, Stockard & Schank 1988). In China, acupuncture is frequently the first-line of treatment for nocturnal enuresis in children. Improvement is often seen after the first course of treatment. (Minni et all 1990, Tuzuner et al 1989, Xu 1991). Acupuncture can also reduce micturition frequency in geriatric patients with nocturia and incontinence (Ellis at al 1990, Ellis 1993). Acupuncture can also alleviate symptoms in patients with chronic prostatitis and prostatodynia (chronic prostatitis-like syndrome) (Ikeuchi 1994, Ge et al 1988, You et al 1988). Click here for acupuncture treatment of infertility.

Lee Y, Lee W, Chen M, Huang J, Chung C, Chang L S 1992 Acupuncture in the treatment of renal colic. Journal of Urology 147:16-18
Chen L 1991 408 cases of urinary calculus treated by auriculoacupoint pressure. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 11:193-195

Shapiro R S, Stockard H E, Schank A 1988 Uremic pruritus successfully controlled with acupuncture. Dialysis and Transplantation 17(4):180-183,189.

Minni B, Capozza N, Creti G, De Gennaro M, Caione P, Bischko J 1990 Bladder instability and enuresis treated by acupuncture and electrotherapeutics: early urodynamic observations. Acupuncture and Electro-therapeutics Research 15:19-25.

Tuzuner F, Kecik Y, Ozdemir S, Canakci N 1989 Electroacupuncture in the treatment of enuresis nocturna. Acupuncture and Electro-therapeutics Research 14:211-215

Xu B 1991 302 cases of enuresis treated with acupuncture. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 11:121-122

Ellis N, Briggs R, Dowson D 1990 The effect of acupuncture on nocturnal urinary frequency and incontinence in the elderly. Complementary Medical Research 4:16-17

Ellis N 1993 A pilot study to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on nocturia in the elderly. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 1:164-167

Mukhtarov AM, Iakhin BS. Reflexotherapy of chronic prostatitis. Urol Nefrol (Mosk) 1977 Jul-Aug;(4):25-7.

Ikeuchi T, Iguchi H. Clinical studies on chronic prostatitis and prostatitis-like syndrome (7). Electric acupuncture therapy for intractable cases of chronic prostatitis-like syndrome. Hinyokika Kiyo 1994 Jul;40(7):587-91.

You SZ, Zhang SL, Li SR. A clinic report on 119 cases of prostatitis treated by laser acupuncture. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 1988;13(3):184-8

Ge SH, Meng FY, Xu BR. Acupuncture treatment in 102 cases of chronic prostatitis. J Tradit Chin Med 1988 Jun;8(2):99-100

Vozianov AF, Pasechnikov SP, Kovtuniak ON. The laser reflexotherapy of patients with chronic prostatitis. Vrach Delo 1991 Feb;(2):45-8. RESULTS: “the efficacy of laser reflexotherapy in chronic prostatitis and was found to equal 89%.”

Chen R, Nickel JC. Acupuncture ameliorates symptoms in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Urology. 2003 Jun;61(6):1156-9. "Twelve men underwent a minimum of 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment. The average follow-up was 33 weeks..." CONCLUSION: "Acupuncture appears to be a safe, effective, and durable treatment in improving symptoms in, and the quality of life of, men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome refractory to treatment."