Can Shockwave Therapy Treat ED?

June 16, 2021

5 mins

Prescription medications like Viagra® and Cialis® have been used far and wide as treatment options for erectile dysfunction. 

But health experts have been exploring alternative treatment options for men who need a little extra help getting it up.

Shockwave therapy has become a hot topic in the world of erectile dysfunction – but is it a viable alternative to medication?

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What is Shockwave Therapy? 

Shockwave therapy – known clinically as low intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy – has been used for decades to treat various conditions. 

It was originally developed for breaking up kidney stones, but it's also effective for healing broken bones, damaged ligaments, and tendons. Shockwave therapy speeds up tissue repair and encourages cell growth, making it the go-to for wound healing.

In recent years, shockwave therapy has emerged as a potential treatment for erectile dysfunction. 

Shockwave Therapy and Erectile Dysfunction 

While the FDA has yet to approve shockwave therapy for ED treatment, studies suggest that it may be able to treat the symptoms of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. 

This is the most common type of ED. It means that blood flow is restricted in the body (by means of blood vessel issues or blockages) and not getting to the penis. 

Because erections rely heavily on the blood flow to the penis, any issues involving the circulatory or cardiovascular system can severely impact the ability to achieve an erection. 

This treatment delivers pulses through the body which improve blood flow. This could potentially lead to firmer erections. 

Is shockwave therapy an effective treatment option for ED?

Shockwave therapy is intended to help by strengthening or repairing damaged blood vessels in the penis. It’s also said to help break up plaque build-up that might be slowing or preventing proper blood flow. By increasing the flow of blood to the penis, erections should be easier to achieve and maintain. 

This is similar to popular pharmacological treatments for erectile dysfunction like Viagra® and Cialis® – both of which are PDE5 inhibitors that work to improve erections through increased blood flow. 

In fact, using shockwave therapy in addition to these medications has been shown to improve their overall effectiveness. 

What are the side effects of shockwave therapy?

Although shockwave therapy is considered low-risk because it's non-invasive, there are a few potential side effects:

• Bruising and swelling of the penis

• Blood in urine

• Penile skin infection

• Pain during an erection or intercourse

• Numbness or tingling sensation

• Worsening of penile curvature

To ensure the safety of shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction, medical professionals may take proactive measures such as carefully assessing patients' medical histories, conducting thorough physical examinations, and providing comprehensive pre-treatment counseling. 

Additionally, they can closely monitor patients during and after the procedure, promptly address any adverse reactions or side effects, and adjust treatment parameters as needed.

Who Should Try Shockwave Therapy?

A healthcare provider would typically recommend shockwave therapy to men who have not  found ED meds (PDE5 inhibitors) suitable or effective. This could be for several reasons including:

• The medications interfere with other medications the patient is taking

• The medications could negatively affect the patients health

• The patient has an underlying health condition that don’t allow him to take ED meds

• The patient does not want to try pharmacological interventions

While shockwave therapy may boost the effectiveness of PDE5 inhibitors, it's typically recommended as an alternative to these medications if they have not been found suitable for the patient.

How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?

While the technology behind shockwave therapy is complex, the procedure itself is fairly simple. 

A healthcare professional applies a device resembling a large wand around the penis and pelvic area. The entire procedure usually takes 10 to 20 minutes as the wand emits gentle low-frequency pulses at a set frequency.

In most cases, there's no need for anesthesia; however, some doctors may apply a gel numbing agent that may result in a light tingling sensation. 

Shockwave therapy typically requires several sessions over the course of a few weeks for noticeable results. It has been found to have a 60% efficacy rate when treating vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. 

It doesn’t appear to have an effect on erectile function as a result of nerve damage, prostate or pelvic cancer, or psychological causes. 

How Long Do You Have to Undergo Shockwave Therapy? 

One of the continuing issues with shockwave therapy is the treatment time requirement and cost. 

In one of the longer experiments listed above, the number of required treatment sessions was 12, though similar results have been seen with fewer visits. 

For the most part, shockwave therapy requires at least one treatment per week over the course of six weeks. Results should be experienced within the first three months, but may occur as early as the first few weeks of treatment. 

Some urologists claim the effects of shockwave therapy can last for up to two years, while others indicate the effects will last only six months before re-treatment is required. 

Is shockwave therapy affordable?

Since most insurance plans don’t cover this therapy, it can get fairly expensive quickly. These treatments typically cost between $300 and $600 per session in a clinician's office, with multiple sessions required. 

Are There Natural Alternatives to Treat Erectile Dysfunction?

Shockwave therapy could be an effective solution for men who are unable to take prescription medications for erectile dysfunction. 

In the event that your doctor does not recommend medication treatment, there are ways that you can improve erectile dysfunction naturally.

The first thing to remember is that erections are made possible by blood flow: anything that's good for the cardiovascular system (i.e. your heart, blood vessels, and blood) is good for erections. Vice versa, anything harmful to cardiovascular health is potentially harmful to erection quality. 

With this in mind, here are a few tips that may help to reduce the frequency and severity of erectile dysfunction. Better yet, they're all things you should probably be doing for your overall health anyway.

• Eat a balanced diet

• Get regular exercise

• Eliminate bad habits like smoking and excessive alcohol

All of these contribute to a healthier cardiovascular system, and are key in avoiding risk factors for ED like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

How Rex MD Can Help?

Shockwave therapy can be an effective alternative if medications aren’t right for you.

But, when it comes to treating erectile dysfunction, it’s hard to top the efficacy of prescription ED medications. There's a reason why PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil (generic Viagra) and tadalafil (generic Cialis) are so popular -- they work for most guys. 

Want to learn more? Rex MD can help.