Shockwave For Erectile Dysfunction?

Shockwave therapy, or acoustic wave therapy,  is a medical treatment that has been around for many years. Practitioners frequently use shockwave as a non-invasive therapy for orthopedic injuries, kidney stones, and other applications. In addition, urologists have been treating erectile dysfunction (ED) with this technique.

People with vasculogenic ED, a blood vessel condition that alters blood flow to the tissue in the penis, seem to respond best to shockwave therapy. However, we are still unsure of the therapy’s efficacy with other ED reasons. This article explains everything you need to know about shockwave therapy for ED.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Low-intensity shockwave therapy is another term for shockwave therapy. Medical practitioners use shockwave to speed up wound healing, as it can hasten cell development and tissue repair using high-energy sound waves. Healthy blood flow to the penile tissue is necessary for erections. Shockwave therapy is regarded favorably as enhancing blood flow and rebuilding and fortifying blood vessels in the penis.

The purpose of pharmaceutic ED treatments, such as oral drugs like sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis), is to increase blood flow to the penis.

How Does It Treat Erectile Dysfunction?

A wand-like device delivers shockwave therapy close to certain penile regions. For roughly 15 minutes, a medical practitioner moves the device over various penile areas while it sends out moderate pulses. Anesthesia is not required, but a topical anesthetic can be used to make the treatment more comfortable. The vibrations cause the penis’s tissue to restructure and its blood flow to improve. A series of six to eight treatments can produce erections firm enough for sexual activity.

Who will Benefit from Shockwave?

In a 2021 review of studies, researchers found that shockwave therapy (SWT) was beneficial in situations of mild ED when combined with other treatments. However, other studies showed the contrary, showing that shockwave therapy alone was most effective in mild to moderate ED. Discussing your situation with a practitioner is the best approach to determining if you qualify for this ED treatment, especially if medications have not worked for you.

What is the Cost of Shockwave Treatment for ED?

Shockwave therapy is a non-FDA-approved off-label ED treatment, therefore, medical insurance is unlikely to pay for it. The average cost of treatment is $500 per session. A series of six to eight treatments has been found to be most effective, with periodic retreatment as needed.

What are the Risks And Side Effects?

For most men, shockwave therapy is tolerably uncomfortable and relatively quick at only 15 minutes. Topical anesthetics provide a numbing effect, which makes the treatment more comfortable. Decades of use have shown minimal, if any, adverse effects.

The Bottom Line

Shockwave is used world-wide for a variety of indication, including ED, and studies are ongoing.  Shockwave treatment is safe with minimal side effects, the main one being discomfort during the treatment, which is easily mitigated with the use of a topical anesthetic.

At Body R-N-R we offer shockwave treatments with the Storz OrthoPulse 200, with good results. Our prices are competitive and we welcome you to contact us to discuss your situation.