{"id":29530,"date":"2020-09-29T15:34:46","date_gmt":"2020-09-29T15:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.edrugstore.com\/blog\/?p=29530"},"modified":"2025-01-06T18:11:40","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T11:11:40","slug":"shockwave-therapy-for-erectile-dysfunction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edrugstore.com\/blog\/erectile-dysfunction\/shockwave-therapy-for-erectile-dysfunction\/","title":{"rendered":"Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: Latest Research + Videos"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know?\u00a0<\/strong>Erectile dysfunction is more common than most men realize. Approximately 5% to 10% of men younger than 40 and 22% of men by age 40 have complete erectile dysfunction, according to the Center for Sexual Medicine<\/a> at Boston University. That percentage grows larger as men age, to 49% by age 70.<\/p>\n

A technology currently being tested in the U.S. may reduce those numbers permanently. \u00a0Keep reading to learn about low-intensity shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) and how it may change the future of ED.<\/p>\n

What is Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy?<\/h3>\n

Low-intensity shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) uses soundwaves to heal injuries painlessly. High-intensity shockwave lithotripsy (the breaking up kidney stones) has been used safely for years to break up kidney stones. Medium-intensity ESWT is FDA-approved for treating orthopedic injuries and wound healing.<\/p>\n

When researchers learned that patients treated with ESWL showed growth of new blood vessels following treatment, they began to investigate adapting the therapy to improve blood flow in the penis as a potential treatment for erectile dysfunction.<\/p>\n

Although the FDA has not yet approved Li-ESWT for ED treatment, it is currently used in Europe as a first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction. Research is ongoing in the U.S. Though early results are mixed, there are promising indications that it may be a safe and effective treatment for ED.<\/p>\n

How does ESWT work?<\/h3>\n

Li-ESWT is a targeted, noninvasive procedure used to treat vasculogenic\u00a0<\/strong>erectile dysfunction (ED caused by impaired blood flow to the penis). The goal of ESWT is to improve that blood flow.<\/p>\n

The practitioner uses a wand-type instrument that is touched to several areas of the penis as it emits painless soundwaves. The waves penetrate penile tissue and cause microtrauma to the cells. This trauma invokes a healing reaction and release of nitric oxide (the magic behind PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra<\/a>, Cialis<\/a>, and Levitra<\/a>) that stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the treated tissue. The result is improved blood flow and long-lasting ability to produce natural erections.<\/p>\n

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