Shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED) is still considered an experimental treatment option. There is some evidence to support its effectiveness, but research is ongoing to determine how well it works in the long term and whether it can replace or be offered in conjunction with other proven treatments for ED, such as Age Management. Clinical trials have revealed that shockwave therapy can be effective in restoring erectile function in men with mild to moderate vasculogenic ED. However, it had no effect on men with severe ED due to diabetes or those who had undergone a prostatectomy, cystectomy, or radiation. It also had no effect on men with Peyronie's disease.
There was no simulated arm in the trial to evaluate the placebo effect. Inadequate blood supply to the penis is a common underlying cause of ED, known as vasculogenic ED. Shockwave therapy may work better for people with this condition, as experts believe it increases blood supply. Doctors are now discovering an approach to curing ED that doesn't involve the risks or threats of ED medications.
Shockwave treatment has become a rising star in the battle against ED, and while the concept behind this therapy may sound new, it has existed for many years as a treatment for kidney stones and other ailments. The last item on the list of potential unwanted risks is an overreaction to an ED medication, also known as priapism, and it has the potential to seriously damage the penis. If there are two phrases that men don't like to hear together, they're “your penis” and “serious damage”. In other words, planning can overshadow the “activation” of spontaneity, which is very important for a satisfying sexual experience.
Ultimately, it can be said that ED medications, at best, are just a temporary patch for the problem. While pharmaceuticals can help, shockwave therapy for ED has a 75% success rate and allows couples to return to a more natural flow of intimacy. This is very important because during the time spent waiting for ED medications to produce the desired effect, life can create situations that may require the partner to delay sexual activity even more, perhaps until the effects of the medication have worn off as much as possible. Most people can return to normal activities the next day after shockwave therapy, but your urologist will discuss whether you should restrict your activity for longer to recover.
Professionals may refer to shock wave therapy for ED as low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave treatment (LI-ESWT). Shockwave therapy seems to work best for people with vasculogenic ED, which is a blood vessel disorder that affects blood flow to penile tissue. Low-intensity shock waves have also been shown to grow new blood vessels and improve blood flow in the penis, which is essential for erections. Since shock wave therapy is a fairly new treatment for ED that isn't covered by insurance plans, your urologist may first recommend other treatment options for ED.
On the bright side, shock wave therapy is different from other ED treatment options because it offers a potential cure for ED. Overall, clinical studies have shown that shockwave therapy is effective and safe, but more research is needed to identify potential risks and the best treatment protocols for a person with ED. Studies show that shockwave therapy can be painless for other uses and may even be a non-invasive method to help reduce pain after surgery. Penile shock wave therapy is still experimental, as it is a relatively new therapy with no long-term data.
In general, if you've had problems with ED and haven't been successful with other treatments, you'll want to consider shockwave therapy. Because the technique has not yet gained FDA approval, there is no standard treatment for shock wave therapy for ED. Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy is a safe treatment for men with ED and may work to improve or even cure ED in some patients. It is important to distinguish shock wave therapy from radio wave therapy, which is commonly advertised as a non-invasive treatment for ED available in medical and non-medical centers.
Shockwave therapy is generally recommended for patients who don't respond well to medications or who don't want more invasive treatments. A shockwave therapy regimen generally includes six different treatments, but treatment protocols may change as more research becomes available.