Shock Wave Therapy For Erectile Dysfunction: Does It Work?
The following are some of the most common questions asked about shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction:
1)
Is it safe?
Yes! Shockwave therapy is not only effective but also very safe. There have been no reported cases of permanent damage due to using shockwaves.
2)
How does it work?
Shock waves are created by placing a device called a “shock wave generator” inside your body. A small electric current is passed through the water (or other liquid) in your blood stream causing it to expand and contract. This causes the blood vessels in your body to open up allowing blood flow into the area where there would normally be none. This allows blood to pass from the less oxygenated areas of your body to the more oxygenated areas. The result is increased blood flow to your genitals and other parts of your body.
3)
What if I don’t like it?
If you do not want to use shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction, then you may still enjoy its benefits such as improved sexual performance or even better, reduced risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
4)
How many treatments will I need?
For most men, between 2 to 6 sessions seem to work best. However, some men may feel that they are experiencing the benefits of shockwave therapy after just 1 session. It is very important that you give your body adequate time to heal in-between sessions in order for it to have the best chance to recover and rejuvenate itself.
5)
How much does shockwave therapy cost?
The average cost of shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction is around $100 per treatment. Some men have found that their health insurance will cover part or all of the procedure. You should check with your individual insurance policy to see what it covers.
6)
Where can I have shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions and not just erectile dysfunction. In most cases, hospitals will offer shockwave therapy. However, there are a small number of doctors who specialize in offering shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction.
7)
What can I expect during my treatment?
During your shockwave therapy sessions you can expect to be asked to change into a hospital gown and then lay on an examination table while the specialist applies a local anesthetic to the precise areas where shockwaves will be directed. You may also be given a mild sedative to help you relax during the procedure. Once the anesthetic has taken effect, the shockwaves are directed at the areas of your body where blood flow is less than normal. Afterward, you may experience some mild soreness and swelling in these regions. However, this will disappear over time.
8)
What precautions should I take when I get home?
After having shockwave therapy you should rest for at least 24 hours. Avoid heavy lifting and refrain from sexual activity for at least 72 hours. You should also avoid drinking alcohol for at least 48 hours after your procedure as this may impair the healing process. You should also ask your doctor whether you need to take any medications or supplements to aid the healing process.
9)
What are the possible risks or side effects of shockwave therapy?
Unlike many medical procedures, shockwave therapy is a very safe treatment option with very few possible risks or side effects. The most common side effect of shockwave therapy is some swelling, redness and soreness in the treatment area. Some men have experienced some short-term loss of appetite, headaches or difficulty falling asleep. If these symptoms become severe then you should contact your physician immediately.
10)
Should I take extra care with hygiene or bodily functions after shockwave therapy?
Some men have reported that after having shockwave therapy their urination was more frequent than normal or had a pinkish tint for a few days. However, this is not something you need to worry about if it happens to you. It is also not necessary, but if you are concerned about hygiene then you may want to use moist wipes instead of dry toilet paper when cleansing your behind.
Erectile dysfunction can be a debilitating condition for any man. If your erections are not as strong or as frequent as you would like them to be then you should speak with your physician about shockwave therapy. This treatment is an effective and safe way to restore blood flow to the penile region of your body which in turn can increase the firmness and frequency of your erections.
To learn more about shockwave therapy, click on the links below.
Sources & references used in this article:
Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that assess the efficacy of low-intensity shockwave therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction by H Lei, J Liu, H Li, L Wang, Y Xu, W Tian, G Lin, Z Xin – The world journal of men’s …, 2013
Short-term efficacy and safety of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy in erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis by JD Campbell, BJ Trock… – Therapeutic …, 2019 – journals.sagepub.com
Penile low intensity shock wave treatment is able to shift PDE5i nonresponders to responders: a double-blind, sham controlled study by Z Zou, L Tang, Z Liu, J Liang, R Zhang, Y Wang… – International braz j …, 2017 – SciELO Brasil
Clinical studies on low intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials by Y Abu-Ghanem, ND Kitrey, I Gruenwald, B Appel… – Korean journal of urology, 2014
Is low-intensity shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction ready for clinical practice? by ND Kitrey, I Gruenwald, B Appel, A Shechter… – The Journal of …, 2016 – auajournals.org
Safety and efficacy of low intensity shockwave (LISW) treatment in patients with erectile dysfunction by I Sokolakis, G Hatzichristodoulou – International journal of impotence …, 2019 – nature.com
Low intensity shock wave treatment for erectile dysfunction—How long does the effect last? by M Fode, M Albersen, PB Østergren – International Journal of Impotence …, 2019 – nature.com
The basic science behind low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction: a systematic scoping review of pre-clinical studies by A Ruffo, M Capece, D Prezioso, G Romeo… – International braz j …, 2015 – SciELO Brasil
