oral medications such as Cialis or Viagra, as well as penis vacuum pumps, testosterone replacement and penile implants. Seeking treatment for mental health symptoms is recommended, and there is some evidence that moderate exercise can decrease the risk of ED. Shock therapy for ED, additionally, is a controversial treatment that is worthy of more discussion.
Shock wave therapy?
The use of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) is being studied by scientists in clinical trials (the most likely place where the treatment can be obtained since it is not fully FDA-approved).
Practitioners of this treatment utilize a hand-held device to apply shock waves to the penis, using a gel to conduct the pulses. The treatment is reported to not be painful, although some tingling in the penis can be felt. Side effects may include penile bruising, bloody urine, infection, pain during intercourse related to bruising and painful erection.
The energy from the shock waves is said to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, which can then improve erection firmness. A varying number of shocks are administered per minute, and the entire session of 15-to-20 minutes may need to be repeated regularly over time.
What’s the controversy? Caveat Emptor
The online literature regarding LI-ESWT can appear somewhat confusing and contradictory. Some proprietary websites claim that shockwave therapy is FDA-approved for ED. A 2017 study of 710 patients concluded that the treatment “showed a statistically significant improvement in the quality of erections in ED patients,” but then added cryptically, “the improvement effect diminished slightly in the final assessment.”
A 2019 article in the journal, Urology Times stated the following:
“Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy is a safe treatment for men with erectile dysfunction, and might work to improve, or even cure, ED in some patients. But, there remain important…