Low Intensity Shock Wave Therapy: Effective Treatment to Improve Erectile Function
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is not “normal” at any age. Multiple recent studies are showing that Low Intensity Shock Wave Therapy is an effective treatment option for treating mild, moderate or even severe erectile dysfunction.
There is no reason why men should not continue enjoying sexual intimacy and pleasure with age. However more than 50% of men over 50 report some loss of erectile function, which interferes with their quality of life and relationships. Although less common in younger man, the incidence of ED is on the rise in the younger population as well.
What is new in ED treatment?
As we are paying more attention to the importance of sexual wellness in people’s overall sense of well-being, more novel and innovative ways of treating sexual dysfunction are emerging. Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) is the newest addition to our toolbox for treating ED. Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive no-discomfort treatment and works by causing new blood vessels to form in the penis therefore increasing the blood flow to the penis, and improving the health of the tissue naturally.
Better blood flow to the penis means faster, firmer and more long-lasting erections, as well as improved sensation to the area.
What are other options for treatment?
Until recently treatment for erectile dysfunction had been limited. Oral medications such as Viagra or Cialis have to be taken on demand: an hour prior to sex and on an empty stomach, so men often complain about the loss of spontaneity. Furthermore these oral medications are not effective for everyone, and the options for men with poor response to the oral medications were either on demand injections into the penile body, or penile implants for long-term effect.
How does shock wave therapy work?
Low intensity shock wave therapy was first used as a non-invasive treatment for breaking down kidney stones. Interestingly the kidneys of the patients treated with shock wave therapy showed much better blood flow after the treatment, pointing to the effects of Shockwave therapy on neovascularization: formation of new blood vessels.
Low intesity shock wave therapy works by creating controlled micro injuries to the lining of the blood vessels therefore starting a cascade of healing responses which will cause more growth factors and new collagen formation. All these result in forming new blood vessels to the area. With this improved blood flow, the tissue in the penis will be healthier with improved sensation, as well as the ability for gaining firmer erections faster and with greater ease.
Shockwave therapy is now used in multiple fields such as Orthopedics for joint and tendon repair, as well as cardiovascular treatments of blood vessels. In our clinic we use DUO shock wave therapy, which has gained FDA clearance for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men (as well as most recently for orgasmic dysfunction in women).
What is the treatment like?
The treatment involves holding a wand over specific areas in the penis as well as the base, delivering low-intensity shock waves.
The sensation is that of light tapping against the skin.
Complete treatment series consist of 6 sessions over a three-week period. Each session takes approximately 15 minutes, and there is zero discomfort or down time.
Most men find improvement in their symptoms starting at 3 weeks with optimal effects at 3 months. Symptom improvement can last up to 2 years, however maintenance treatments are usually recommended yearly.
Who is a candidate for shock wave therapy?
Anyone desiring to improve the quality of their erections is a potential candidate for treatment with DUO.
Men of all ages have enjoyed the benefits of treatment with Duo, as it can enhance an already excellent erectile function so the sensation and quality of erections will improve even further.
If you are tired of taking oral medications or injections before each sexual encounter, then you should consider treatment with low intensity shock waves. With the improvement in blood flow and sensation to the penis, Low intensity shock wave therapy may reduce or eliminate the need for using oral medications such as Viagra or Cialis.
DUO will not be effective in treating ED if the cause is psychological or primarily neurological.
What should I do next?
To find out more whether you are a candidate for treatment with DUO shock wave therapy, call 858-222-1444 or request a complimentary consultation with Dr. Kat Khorrami