Shockwave Therapy: A Potentially New Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

Shockwave therapy could be helpful in men with erectile dysfunction,' basic research and clinical trials have suggested.

According to numerous studies, low-intensity shock wave therapy could be effective in restoring the erectile mechanism so as to enable natural or spontaneous erections. This therapy has been successfully used to help patients with kidney stones, heart complications, fractures, as well as joint inflammation.

Unlike other ED treatments such as pills, penile injections, and vacuum erection devices which only work on as-needed basis, this type of therapy works in a way that enables men to achieve firm and long-lasting erections on their own.

How does Shock Wave Therapy Work?

When sexually stimulated, the penis fills with blood and becomes firm due to the widening of the arteries. This allows for easy vaginal penetration.

In cases where there is reduced or restricted blood flow to the penis, a man may not achieve a strong erection or may be unable to have one at all.

Shock wave therapy utilizes energy from acoustic waves which promote the formation of new blood vessels, thus increasing blood flow into the penis in a process known as neovascularization.

To administer shockwave therapy, the doctor uses a wand attached to a machine to send small shocks directly to the shaft. This emits energy that targets deep tissues in the penis where they cause microtrauma and mechanical stress. The stress and microtrauma trigger a series of biological reactions which result in the release of angiogenic factors, which in turn trigger neovascularization.

The aim of this therapy is to fix the root cause of erectile dysfunction, not just alleviate the symptoms.

The treatment therapy includes 12 weeks of continuous sessions with each session going for 15-20 minutes. The treatment itself is not painful, although the patient might experience a slight tingling sensation. The patient does not need anesthesia, and the procedure itself is not invasive.

Therapy a Good Choice for ED Caused by Vascular Complications

Research has also indicated that shockwave therapy is only a good option for men whose ED has been caused by vascular problems (impaired blood flow to the penis), not as a result of other issues such as neurological or psychological, or even after undergoing a major pelvic surgery.

In other words, the treatment only works effectively in men whose erectile dysfunction is as a result of impaired blood flow to the penis.

This treatment therapy was discovered just a few years ago and is still in its experimental stage. However, basic research and clinical trials have shown some encouraging results.

With more comprehensive research and clinical trials, this form of therapy could be the new permanent treatment for one of the most common and devastating male health problems.