The review concluded that shock wave therapy caused a significant improvement in men's erectile health. While shock wave therapy produced a significant improvement overall, the greatest improvement was seen in men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction. Physicians may refer to shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction as treatment with low-intensity extracorporeal shock waves (LI-ESWT). Shockwave therapy may be more effective for people with this condition, as experts believe it increases blood supply.
Keep reading to learn more about how shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction works, potential risks and side effects, and where people can get treatment. There is also much research to be done on the effect of LI-ESWT on different types of erectile dysfunction and the clinical parameters that could be used to predict who would benefit from LI-ESWT and who would not need clarification, definition and validation. Low-intensity shock waves have also been shown to grow new blood vessels and improve blood flow to the penis, which is essential for erections. Shockwave therapy is often recommended for patients who do not respond well to medication or who do not want more invasive treatments.
Penile shockwave therapy remains experimental, as it is a relatively new therapy with no long-term data. The effects of LI-ESWT are continuing to investigate whether it is a safe and effective treatment option. These treatments are usually given on request, before sexual intercourse, and their effect is essentially limited in time. There is still not enough research or long-term data to indicate how long treatment might last, whether its effects might wear off, or if you'll need additional treatment at a later time.
If this hypothesis could be tested, LI-ESWT could become an effective, non-invasive treatment for erectile dysfunction. In the absence of clinical trials to demonstrate its long-term effectiveness, SWT has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and is not covered by insurance. It is important to distinguish shock wave therapy from radio wave therapy, which is often advertised as a non-invasive treatment for erectile dysfunction and is available in both medical and non-medical facilities. Most patients with erectile dysfunction rely on their treatment to maintain their sexual function; offering men with erectile dysfunction rehabilitation or even curative treatment that allows them to recover spontaneous sexual activity with normal intimacy and without adverse effects is an unmet medical objective.