Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - Damp-Heat Downpour Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia · Damp-Heat Downpour Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Pelvis

Pattern Overview

Damp-Heat Downpour is a common pattern in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), characterized by prostatic inflammation with urinary obstruction, difficult urination, burning sensation, yellow urine, and frequent urination. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the lower Jiao, causing prostatic inflammation, edema, and urethral obstruction.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Difficult urination, burning sensation, frequent urination, yellow urine |

| Associated Symptoms | Lower abdominal distension, sticky mouth, feverishness, irritability |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Damp-Heat accumulating in the lower Jiao |

| Etiology | Poor diet, alcohol consumption, spicy food intake, urinary tract infection |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Zhongji (RN3) | 4 cun below the umbilicus | Front-Mu point of Bladder meridian; regulates urination |

| Pangguangshu (BL28) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to S2 | Back-Shu point of Bladder meridian; regulates bladder function |

| Yinlingquan (SP9) | Below the medial condyle of the tibia | Transforms Dampness and drains Heat |

| Qugu (RN2) | 5 cun below the umbilicus | Regulates urination and relieves lower abdominal distension |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reducing method; may combine with moxibustion on Zhongji to promote urination.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Ba Zheng San (八正散) + Niu Xi (牛膝)

Composition:

Plantago (Che Qian Zi), Akebia (Mu Tong), Polyporus (Zhu Ling), Alisma (Ze Xie), Rhubarb (Da Huang), Gardenia (Zhi Zi), Achyranthes (Niu Xi), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Clears Damp-Heat, promotes diuresis, and reduces prostatic inflammation.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe burning sensation | Add Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao to clear Heat and detoxify |

| Urinary obstruction | Add Wang Bu Liu Xing, Shi Wei to promote urination |

| Lower abdominal distension | Add Mu Xiang, Xiang Fu to regulate Qi and relieve distension |

| Feverishness | Add Shi Gao, Zhi Mu to clear Heat and generate fluids |

Western Mechanism Reference

Prostatic inflammation with urinary obstruction, bacterial colonization, and inflammatory edema causing urethral compression. Damp-Heat Downpour corresponds to BPH with acute urinary retention and inflammatory component, where prostatic inflammation and edema contribute to urethral obstruction.

References

  1. Surgery of TCM - BPH with Damp-Heat Downpour.

  2. WHO. (2023). Urological health. World Health Organization.

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