Shockwave Therapy For Erectile Dysfunction – What is it? Are you a Candidate?

If you’re dealing with ED, you might feel isolated and alone but I can tell you that you’re far from alone.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is far more common than many realize with an estimated 30 million men in the United States alone affected by this condition.

Research further shows that approximately 52% of men aged 40-70 experience some degree of ED, and an estimated 322 million men worldwide are expected to be affected by 2025.

52% of men aged 40-70 experience ED.

Fortunately, there’s good news: traditional treatment options for ED are effective and widely available. Those methods include oral medications, injections, surgery, devices, and more.

In addition to these traditional approaches, there’s also a promising approach gaining momentum – shockwave therapy. In this post, you’ll learn how this innovative treatment works, its potential benefits, and how it compares to more conventional options.

What is Shockwave Therapy For Erectile Dysfunction

Low-intensity shockwave lithotripsy of the penis is one of the latest advancements in male sexual health treatment.

It has become a hot topic amongst urologists and men who suffer from erectile dysfunction. It is a therapy in which short pulses of focused shock waves are directed at the veins and blood vessels in the penis to improve blood flow to the penis.

You might recognize the name ‘shockwave lithotripsy’ as this is the same technology that is used to break up kidney stones and treat certain conditions such as arthritis.

Low-intensity shockwave lithotripsy is still being researched as a new treatment option for ED, but has proven promising for mild to moderate disease. One meta-analysis (think of it like a review of multiple studies) found that the results from those who underwent shockwave therapy had better outcomes than those that had no treatment.

How does Shockwave Therapy work?

The pulses stimulate healing via microvascularity and nerve regeneration.

The mechanisms include vasodilation, anti-inflammatory effects, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. It is the passage of sound energy waves through tissue and seems to work by causing the renewal of healthy blood vessels in the penis. Its use for erectile dysfunction was discovered in 2010.

Since then, there have been various research studies that demonstrate significant improvement in the International Index of Erectile Function scores as a result of penile shockwave therapy. Studies indicate about 65% to 70% of patients have sustainable erections six months after treatments some studies suggest 40 to 50% will have rigid erections after two years of therapy.

Shockwave therapy consists of several sessions, and additional sessions can be added if necessary. It involves applying a probe to the penis, which emits sound waves. It is painless and takes about 15 to 30 minutes per session.

Typically, a series of treatments are required for optimal results and the number of sessions is between 6-12 sessions for a complete treatment. There are minimal to no side effects or restrictions afterward. Some patients may experience minor discomfort during or after treatment, such as self-limiting redness or tingling at the site.

Who should consider this?

Patients with severe erectile dysfunction are not considered good candidates and should pursue other existing therapies such as intracavernosal injections or penile implants.

Shockwave therapy is best for men between 40 and 60 years old with mild to moderate organic erectile dysfunction. They have tried ED medications and were poor responders to medications such as Viagra and Cialis or cannot take them because of interactions with medications or conditions they have.

Patients with diabetes or a history of prostate removal for prostate cancer have also shown to be good candidates.

Preliminary Findings

In March 2024, our clinic started shockwave therapy treatments on men with erectile dysfunction. So far, approximately 29 male patients have either completed all the sessions or are currently in process.

Before each session, each patient fills out a Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), a questionnaire designed to characterize the severity of the disease.

Many men have reported more spontaneous erections after 1 or 2 sessions. By session 4 or 5, some patients state they have been able to stop taking oral medications for their erectile dysfunction.

One 70-year-old male went up 6 points on the SHIM scale, going from moderate to severe erectile dysfunction to mild erectile dysfunction. While data is still being gathered, the majority of patients have been satisfied with their results.

Why aren’t more people using shockwave therapy?

Although the research that has been performed in the last few years is encouraging, shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction is still considered investigational in the United States.

The European Association of Urology guidelines actually recommend the use of this form of treatment and believe this will become the standard of care in coming years.

Because of the fact that this treatment is used “off-label” or not approved by the FDA for this use, one major drawback is cost.

Most therapy protocol cost ranges are in the thousands. However, the procedure can be more affordable if done within the context of a clinical trial. It is also important to be aware that results can vary based on the individual’s overall health and the severity of disease.

Closing thoughts

Overall, there seems to be significant potential for low-intensity shockwave therapy as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Certainly, more in-depth research is needed, but there has been continued growing interest in this therapy as practitioners see first-hand the positive outcomes it can have.

The future is bright for shockwave therapy with studies underway for other urologic diseases such as penile pain, Peyronie’s Disease, and chronic prostatitis.

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