Chronic Prostatitis - Damp-Heat Downpour Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Chronic Prostatitis · 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 chronic prostatitis, characterized by prostatic inflammation with bacterial colonization, perineal pain, burning urination, yellow or purulent urethral discharge, and urinary frequency. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the lower Jiao, causing prostatic inflammation, bacterial colonization, and urethral irritation.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Perineal pain, burning urination, yellow discharge, urinary frequency |

| 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, sexual activity |

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 |

| Taichong (LR3) | Dorsum of the foot, between the 1st and 2nd metatarsals | Clears Liver Heat and regulates Qi |

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 |

| :— | :— |

| Purulent discharge | Add Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao to clear Heat and detoxify |

| Perineal pain | Add Yan Hu Suo, Chuan Lian Zi to regulate Qi and stop pain |

| Burning urination | Add Huang Qin, Huang Lian to clear Heat |

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

Western Mechanism Reference

Prostatic inflammation with bacterial colonization, elevated inflammatory cytokines, and urethral irritation. Damp-Heat Downpour corresponds to chronic bacterial prostatitis, where bacterial colonization and elevated inflammatory cytokines contribute to prostatic inflammation and urethral irritation.

References

  1. Surgery of TCM - Chronic Prostatitis with Damp-Heat Downpour.

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

Explore More

  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for prostate health.

  • Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM urology.