Even better, ongoing research suggests that shockwave therapy offers long-lasting results. In general, benefits can extend for months or even up to two years, depending on a variety of factors. Your doctor can explain how long the benefits can last and determine if other treatments would best suit your needs. Shockwave therapy for ED is still considered an experimental treatment option.
There is some evidence to support its effectiveness, but research is underway to determine how well it works in the long term and whether it can be replaced or offered alongside other proven treatments for ED. LI-ESWT for erectile dysfunction works by applying low-intensity shockwaves to the penis. A doctor uses a manual probe to administer them. A gel is used as an interface to conduct shock pulses.
Individual results will vary, however, some studies have shown that a positive response can last up to two years. Current lines of research on new therapies for ED are based on the Rho-kinase pathway, as well as exploring the feasibility of gene therapy through intracorporeal injections of plasmids and regenerative stem cell therapy. Shockwave therapy seems to work best for men with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction, which is a blood vessel disorder that affects blood flow to the penile tissue. Low-intensity shock wave therapy (LISWT) has been used for years to aid wound healing and improve the healing of bone fractures and damaged or inflamed tendons and ligaments.
It is important to distinguish shock wave therapy from radio wave therapy, which is commonly advertised as a non-invasive treatment for erectile dysfunction available in both medical and non-medical facilities. A shockwave therapy regimen usually includes six different treatments, but treatment protocols may change as more research becomes available. Recently, data has been accumulated from several studies indicating that this goal could probably be achieved by low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) of the corpora cavernosa. Shockwaves (SW) are acoustic waves that carry energy and, when propagated through a medium, can be non-invasively directed and focused to affect a distant selected anatomical region.
Read on to learn more about how shockwave therapy for ED works, the possible risks and side effects, and where people can be treated. As the technique has not yet gained FDA approval, there is no standard treatment for shockwave therapy for ED. However, all currently available treatment modalities for ED are basically “on-demand” therapies and their mechanism of action is to improve a single sexual encounter. Shockwave therapy is favorably considered as a way to repair and strengthen the blood vessels of the penis and improve blood flow.
Low-intensity shockwaves have also been shown to grow new blood vessels and improve blood flow in the penis, which is essential for erections. Penile shockwave therapy remains experimental, as it is a relatively new therapy with no long-term data. Shockwave therapy may work better for people with this condition, as experts believe it increases blood supply. Shockwave therapy is generally recommended for patients who do not respond well to medications or who do not want more invasive treatments.
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