Generally, shock wave therapy is a pill-free option that can be helpful for treating the symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have concluded that this treatment technique can improve the erection function in men who are experiencing difficulties in getting or sustaining erections. It stimulates blood flow inside the penile, which is fundamental to stronger erections.
What is shockwave therapy?
According to the Healthline website, shockwave therapy is a low-intensity, non-invasive type of therapy that is primarily used for the healing of broken bones, injured ligaments, and injured tendons. It can also speed up the recovery of deep wounds. With the help of targeted high-intensity sound wave therapy can accelerate cellular growth and tissue repair.
Moreover, men with erectile dysfunction fail to get or sustain erections. This happens because of the lack of blood flow to the penile arteries. To become erect, the penile must receive more blood flow. Furthermore, some enzymatic actions lead to the narrowing and contraction of the blood vessels of the penile, which hinders blood flow.
However, the blood flow to the penile can be increased with shockwave therapy. This therapy can be as effective as drugs such as Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis), etc. It directs the blood to the penile arteries and helps restore the erection function.
How does shockwave therapy treat ED?
To get this therapy, you have to visit a healthcare provider who specializes in this treatment. The therapy will be conducted with the help of a wand-like device that will be placed on different areas of your penile. The device will be moved around the penile region for 15 to 20 minutes.
The wand emits gentle pulses, which will draw more blood inside the penile blood vessels. At the same time, the process of tissue regeneration also happens inside the penile. The combination of these two processes will boost the flow of blood inside the blood vessels of the penile, restore the erection function, and help men get stronger erections.
Is shockwave therapy safe for ED?
For the vast majority, shockwave therapy is generally considered to be safe. It has not acquired approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, but still, various studies have revealed that this technique is harmless and does not cause significant side effects. In addition, it is a non-invasive type of therapy, which does not involve any surgical procedures, which makes it a preferable option.
This treatment technique can be clubbed with some other treatment such as ED medications. Their combination can yield the desired results, as it can boost the action and effectiveness of ED medications, which relax the penile blood vessels by causing vasodilation and increase the blood supply to the penile.
Side effects of shockwave therapy
Since it is a type of non-invasion procedure, it is painless for most men. It is still a new type of ED treatment, which requires strong medical support and evidence. It might appear to be safe because of the claims of various researchers, but there needs to be more research done in this regard, which will be helpful in identifying the side effects, effectiveness, duration, and complications.
According to the Medica News Today website, shockwave therapy can potentiate the risk of side effects, which include:
- Bruises on the penile
- Infection on penile skin
- Painful erections
- Blood in urine
Talk to your healthcare provider
If you have already tried various other methods of improving your erection difficulties but failed, then you may think about getting shockwave therapy. For that, you must talk to your healthcare provider and get to know about how the therapy is performed, its effectiveness, precautions, safety measures, dangers, side effects, cost of therapy, etc.
The best thing about this therapy is its non-invasive treatment. Although it might not have been approved by the FDA despite various encouraging claims made by various researchers after many studies, this therapy has worked for many. However, that does make it completely safe though. The effects of this therapy may differ from one individual to another. Therefore, effectiveness and safety are not guaranteed when it comes to this therapy.
Alternative methods for ED treatment
- ED medications such as Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis), Vardenafil, Avanafil, etc.
- Vacuum devices or penile pumps.
- ED rings.
- Surgical implants.
