Low-Intensity Shock Wave Therapy For Erectile Dysfunction

Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses gentle acoustic waves to activate the body’s natural healing abilities. These waves pass through the skin to reach deeper tissues, where they can help form new blood vessels, support nerve healing, and possibly even trigger stem cell activity.

Li-ESWT has been used in other areas of medicine, such as treating chronic wounds and certain muscle and joint conditions. More recently, a 2024 review published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine looked at how effective Li-ESWT is for men with erectile dysfunction (ED) caused by poor blood flow, also known as vascular ED.

Researchers analyzed five high-quality clinical studies that compared men who received Li-ESWT to those who received a placebo treatment. The main goal was to see whether this therapy could improve erectile function, using two standard measures: the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) and the Erection Hardness Score (EHS).

The results showed that men who received Li-ESWT had a significant improvement in their erectile function compared to those who got a placebo. In four out of five studies, their erection quality, as measured by the EHS, also improved. Men who were followed for six to 12 months after treatment showed more improvement than those followed for just three months.