How Shockwave Therapy Works
Low-intensity shockwave therapy, or LiSWT, was originally developed to heal broken bones and chronic wounds. Clinicians now use a wand-like device to deliver targeted high-energy sound waves to specific areas of the penis. The treatment takes about 15 minutes, requires no anesthesia, and causes no pain. The goal is to repair and strengthen blood vessels and boost circulation, the same objective as traditional ED medications like Viagra and Cialis. Chris Bustamante, an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner and CEO of Lushful Aesthetics, a men's clinic offering shockwave therapy alongside other ED treatments, explains that the procedure works by promoting new capillary development to regenerate tissue while breaking up old calcifications that accumulate with age and physical damage. Eve Hall, a sexual health physical therapist and sex educator, notes that repeated treatments help the body form more capillaries-the tiny blood vessels delivering oxygen to every cell-which means increased blood flow and stronger erections.What Research Shows
The FDA has not yet approved LiSWT as an erectile dysfunction treatment, making current clinical use off-label. However, emerging research is promising. A 2021 narrative review found that shockwave therapy improved erectile function with no adverse effects, and showed particular success for moderate to severe ED, even in cases where oral medications failed. When combined with other therapies, it also helped patients with mild ED. The research suggests shockwave therapy works best for people with vasculogenic ED, where blood flow problems prevent the penis from filling and holding blood. This is the most common cause of erectile dysfunction. The Sexual Medicine Society of North America still considers the treatment investigational in the United States, but recent findings indicate that positive results can be prolonged by adding additional treatment rounds.Cover photo: Deon Black / Pexels
