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Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects nearly half of all men over 40 years old. Given its prevalence, there are many conventional ways to treat erectile dysfunction.
Depending on your doctor’s diagnosis, you could be following one or a combination of the following treatments:
- Oral medications
- A urethral suppository
- A prescribed self-injection
- The use of penis pumps
- A customized treatment ED program
Despite the moderate successes you can find undergoing the aforementioned procedures, another cure can aid in men with ED: shockwave therapy.
Shockwave therapy is a valuable addition to the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Though not as commonly used as oral medications or injections, it can be an effective option for patients suffering from mild-to-moderate cases of ED.
Shockwave therapy is also known as low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (Li-ESWT) and was originally developed as a treatment for kidney stones. While the technology still is used to break up obstructive kidney stones, low intensitivity shockwave therapy has also been found effective in improving blood flow and treating erectile dysfunction (ED).
Shockwave therapy, also referred to as acoustic wave therapy, works by sending high-energy shock waves into the penis, which prompts the body’s natural healing process to improve blood flow and build capillaries. The revival of these new blood vessels is what helps enlarge the penis, allowing for a significant increase in both erection size and duration.
This ED treatment is effective on its own and in conjunction with other treatments like drug administration, though it’s best to consult your doctor for the best form of medical advice.
How Shockwave Therapy Works for Erectile Dysfunction
Shockwave therapy works by sending high-energy shock waves into the penis, which prompts the body’s natural healing process to start building blood vessels and capillaries. These new vessels are what help to enlarge the penis, allowing for a significant increase in both erection size and duration.
For low-intensity shockwave therapy to work, doctors use a noninvasive treatment tool. The device used is essentially a miniature tool shaped like a blow dryer. It stimulates the body’s metabolism and accelerates the healing process through an electric current with gentle pulses.
The affected region is subjected to low-level pulses, which cause the formation of micro-cavitation bubbles in it. These bubbles then expand and burst, stimulating tissue and bone healing. It cleans up residual tissue in the affected areas and reverses the issues of erectile dysfunction.
This form of therapy finds its appeal when the human body can’t undergo the self-healing process on its own.
Benefits of Acoustic Wave or Shockwave Therapy For ED
As opposed to medications or injections, which are the other common treatments for ED, shockwave therapy has few side effects. There are no reported cases of any long-term physical damage, and there is no evidence that it causes permanent sexual dysfunction.
Here are the main benefits of erectile dysfunction shockwave therapy:
- No negative side effects
- Ease of use
- Affordable
- Non-invasive
In many accounts, patients report increased sensation in their genitals, along with stronger erections thanks to better blood flow. These benefits can occur as quickly as just after one or two treatments.
A typical treatment plan is three weeks of twice-a-week therapy followed by a three-week break, after which you return to twice-a-week therapy for another three weeks, then another stop. The cycle repeats for a year.
Is Shockwave Therapy a Legitimate Form of Therapy
If you’ve tried the popular ED treatments, such as prescription pills, with little to no success in invigorating your penis health, don’t lose hope.
A journal published by Queensland-based researcher Eric Chung has shown that shockwave therapy does contribute to reversing, regenerating, and replacing the diseased smooth muscle cells into healthier ones.
Shockwave therapy is growing in popularity as an ED treatment method and it may prove to transform the way erectile dysfunction is treated in the future. Furthermore, more advancements and research can be conducted on this form of therapy.
Initial studies are promising and this correlates with medical professionals firsthand experience with patients. As more scientific study is completed, shockwave therapy may prove as one of the most effective methodologies when treating erectile dysfunction.
Who Would Benefit from Shockwave Therapy?
Elderly men with mild to moderate cases of vasculogenic ED would benefit the most from low-intensity shockwave therapy.
Shockwave therapy would also help people who find the price of pill treatments too expensive. Shockwave therapy is a way of increasing blood flow to the penis without having to spend thousands of dollars on maintenance pills to potentially restore erectile function.
Those who may not benefit from this therapy for erectile dysfunction are:
- Men who suffer from ED for psychological reasons
- Men who’ve undergone pelvic surgery
If you’re interested to learn more about this procedure, consult a men’s medical clinic to learn more about ways to improve your erectile function.
Is Shockwave Therapy Painful?
The sensation you feel with shockwave treatment is similar to what you might feel when someone taps you on the muscle. The procedure and treatment protocol are painless and non-invasive.
Additional Lifestyle Changes to Support Shockwave Therapy Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction
The moment you are diagnosed with erectile dysfunction or ED, doctors may prescribe certain types of treatment plans depending on your specific case.
In addition to your doctor’s advice, you can also perform lifestyle changes to support in restoring your sexual function along with treatment. Here are some things you can do to aid a medical program:
- Eat a better diet
- Quit smoking
- Undergo counseling
- Treat other conditions such as diabetes
By opting for a holistic health approach, you can increase your chances of having a fulfilling sex life again.
The medical professionals at Premier Men’s Medical Center in Orlando specialize in treating conditions that impact men’s health including wave therapy, premature ejaculation, and low testosterone therapy. Our concierge approach positions your unique case at the centerpoint of our focus. We don’t just give you a pill for ED and send you on your way. We treat the underlying issues that led to conditions such as ED, Low Testosterone, and more. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
