Sexual Health: Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy

Sexual frustration not only affects men, but it also impacts both partners. Erectile dysfunction can be devastating for a relationship and cause the sufferer to feel inadequate, weak, or like there is a lack of masculinity. Fortunately, a new, noninvasive treatment has recently been developed that has been proven to help those that suffer from chronic erectile dysfunction.

What is Shockwave Therapy for ED?

This promising new procedure to treat erectile dysfunction is known as shockwave therapy. This is a noninvasive and pill-free treatment for those that have a problem becoming and staying erect. This new treatment, relying heavily on technological advancements, has drastically changed the way that we approach men’s sexual health.

The thought of having a doctor approach this sensitive area with and scalpels can be enough to deter men from seeking treatment for ED. However, this new non-surgical procedure, officially called “low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy”, promises to end this frustrating condition that affects 50% of men between the ages 40 and 70.

How Shockwave Therapy Works

Shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction begins with low-intensity sound waves. Its official name refers to the word extracorporeal, meaning the work happens outside of your body, so you can rest easy because nothing invasive will happen. Also, the shockwaves are mechanical in nature and not electrified as you may think.

These waves are actually audible, meaning a low hum can be heard. They are also low-energy sound waves that increase the flow of blood to the area and pass throughout the problematic erectile tissue along your penile shaft.

The treatment clears the surrounding area of calcification and plaque out of the blood vessels. This cleansing encourages the growth of new blood vessels and the regeneration of erectile tissues, which restores the natural erectile function of the penis.

Shockwave therapy for ED offers a cure by reversing the faulty tissues that caused the dysfunction in the first place. It is known to help speed up the body’s healing process. This will usually require several courses of treatment, one to two weeks apart until it is completely done.

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The Preparation

Your doctor will discuss with you the pros and cons of the procedure. Come armed with your arsenal of questions that you are unsure of or ambivalent about so you can have peace of mind. The facility staff will first ask you to sign a consent form. They will also ask you to fill out a questionnaire about yourself regarding your health status and the maintenance medicines you take. You are not a candidate for the procedure if:

  • You have a pacemaker
  • You are on medication that thins the blood
  • You are a minor below the age of eighteen
  • You have bone cancer
  • Your penis or the surrounding area is infected
  • You have taken corticosteroidal medication such as pills or injections within the past 12 weeks.

These will all be discussed with you by your healthcare professional before the treatment commences. They will also explain why you are not a possible candidate should you fail the criteria. On top of that, they may give you advice on what you should do so you can take advantage of the procedure in the future.

After Treatment

This is an outpatient procedure and you can return to your home right away, so be sure to wear comfortable clothing that does not exert undue pressure on your groin You can actually return to normal activities, even work after the treatment. Just keep in mind not to do any high-intensity activity for the next two days after the procedure as an added safety precaution.

If you experience any type of pain, or loss of sensation to the area, do not hesitate to call your medical provider. You may be given prescription pain medication to help manage any possible painful side effect. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding hygiene and pain management to prevent any adverse side effects that can only impede your progress.

Possible Shockwave Therapy Side Effects

You may experience some pain and discomfort during the actual procedure. But this discomfort is quite mild like a tingling sensation so you will be able to cope with this. Immediately following the treatment, you may experience dull pain, redness, bruising, swelling, even numbness to your groin area. These shockwave therapy side effects should dissipate in time. Pain can easily be managed with oral pain killers and it should resolve within a week before your next treatment.

There is a very small risk of tissue rupture on the penile shaft, but the probability of this happening is extremely rare. And whatever rupture occurs can be easily fixed on the spot.

shockwave-therapy-side-effects

Shockwave Therapy Research

The Cleveland Clinic published a study by Daniel Shoskes, MD in October 2017, where he studied the application of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or Shockwave Therapy, for erectile dysfunction (ED). His study found improvements in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire scores and in penile arterial blood flow of the men in the study. These men participated  in a double-blind sham-controlled trial where they were treated once a week for six weeks by administering 3,000 shocks per session. The study also found that unlike other ED therapies currently on the market, improvement with low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or Shockwave Therapy treatment, seems to last for at least one year.

The small, portable low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or Shockwave Therapy, device has already been widely used in orthopedics, physical therapy and wound treatment. The device uses energy levels about 10 percent of that used for lithotripsy, therefore it causes painless procedures without the need for any anesthetic, The Cleveland Clinic noted. Their study found that low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or Shockwave Therapy’s biologic effects include improved blood flow and tissue remodeling in the penis, as well as neo-angiogenesis, an influx of stem cells, plus a reduction of pain and inflammation in the area.

Board-certified urologists do encourage men to do their research and get informed before jumping into this kind of treatment. Shockwave therapy is still not officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration or USA FDA, as there haven’t been sufficient clinical trials yet to see the long term results. Additionally, since this is a fairly new procedure in the USA, the long term side effects have also not been established. However, this therapy has been widely used and tried in the UK and other parts of Europe.

If you have tried other alternatives like drugs, injections, and even surgery without any improvement, it is time for you to try the Shockwave Therapy. Over the past few years all over the USA, the rate of successful shockwave therapy procedure has been shown to be higher than many alternatives. There are many satisfied clients that have moved on to live happily with their respective partners. Don’t let erectile dysfunction keep you down, contact us today to see how you can use shockwave therapy to help you get your sex life back on track.

Sources

https://www.renalandurologynews.com/home/departments/mens-health-update/erectile-dysfunction/effect-of-shock-wave-treatment-for-erectile-dysfunction-wanes/

http://www.smsna.org/V1/news/433-smsna-position-statement-on-restorative-therapies-for-ed

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3607492/

https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/low-intensity-shockwave-therapy-in-urology/