What Is Acoustic Wave Therapy for ED and How Long Does It Last?

If you have erectile dysfunction, you’re likely searching for a permanent solution that will improve your erectile function while avoiding invasive treatments for treating ED.

Of the various treatment options for erectile dysfunction, pills aren’t always the ideal choice because research shows they can lose their effect over time. They also come with side effects. 

You might have heard about acoustic wave therapy for erectile dysfunction. But do its effects last long enough to make a difference in your sexual function? That’s the question we’ll explore in this blog post. But first, let’s dive into what exactly is acoustic wave therapy and how does it help erectile dysfunction?

What Is Acoustic Wave Therapy?

Acoustic wave therapy is called by other names such as acoustic soundwave therapy, acoustic shockwave therapy, or by its more clinical term, low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT). Some people call it radial wave therapy, but that is technically a different form of treatment.

Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy was originally used to treat kidney stones and also used for plantar fasciitis, but now studies and clinical experience show shockwave treatment helps with erectile dysfunction, too. 

Unlike invasive treatments, such as surgery, acoustic soundwave therapy is a noninvasive ED treatment option. Most men do not experience pain when using it as a way to improve sexual health, so it’s an ideal ED treatment to improve the strength of an erection. 

How Is Acoustic Wave Therapy Used to Treat ED?

Low-intensity shockwave therapy works for mild to moderate erectile dysfunction by improving blood supply, which can support a healthy erection. A device is used to produce low-intensity sound waves that pass through penile tissue to increase blood flow and encourage the growth of new blood vessels. This non-invasive treatment also promotes the repair of damaged blood vessels. 

Penile blood flow is critical to a healthy erection. For an erection to happen, there must be increased blood flow into the two chambers known as the corpora cavernosa that run the length of the penis. 

A men’s health clinic or a doctor’s office usually performs this type non-invasive ED treatment. This involves revealing your private parts to a nurse or clinic staff member, who uses a device to deliver low-intensity shockwaves to erectile tissue. And in-clinic shockwave treatment is expensive. It costs up to $600 per treatment and most men initially need at least six treatments. 

At-Home Shockwave Therapy for ED

Men with erectile dysfunction who want to try shockwave therapy will find an at-home version more affordable and less awkward than in-clinic therapy. 

“I frequently recommend at-home shockwave therapy to my patients with erectile dysfunction,” says Paul Thompson, M.D., a urologist and surgeon. “It works as well as the in-clinic version at a fraction of the cost. It’s easy to use at home thanks to the protocol that comes with the device. And you don’t have to worry about clinic staff touching your private parts because you use it in the privacy of your own home.”

At-home shock wave therapy works similarly to the in-clinic version. A low-intensity shock wave therapy device is used to send gentle sound waves through penile tissue. This shockwave therapy supports the health of blood vessels in the penis and blood flow. It works with your body to improve sexual performance. 

You use the device twice a week for 17 minutes each session. After 30 days of sound waves therapy, you give your body a break from shockwave therapy to promote healing.

Using shock wave therapy at home is one of a number of non-invasive treatment protocols. Here’s how to use at-home acoustic wave therapy:

• Glide the device along the outside of the penis as directed through the smart guidance system. Gentle sound waves painlessly target key areas to improve sexual performance. 

• Move the device along five treatment lines on the shaft, traveling back and forth. 

• Each twice-per-week session activates the body’s natural repair processes, restoring erectile function. 

How Long Does Acoustic Wave Therapy Last?

For at-home wave therapy, the initial therapy period lasts 120 days—30 days of therapy, then 30 days of rest, then another 30 days of therapy, and 30 more days of rest. Some men have results within 60 - 90 days while others need the full treatment period of 120 days. Touch-up treatments are usually needed every six to 12 months, but some men find results last up to two years. 

For in-clinic wave therapy, treatments are usually administered twice a week for three weeks. At $500 a pop, this can get expensive. You’ll need follow-up treatments when the effects start to wear off, between six months and two years after the completion of your first round of treatments. 

The Best Candidates for Shockwave Therapy

Most men with erectile dysfunction can use wave therapy with good results that promote a healthy erection, but the best course of action is to talk to your doctor if you have any underlying health issues.  If you have health conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or vascular issues, using it together with lifestyle changes and implementing a treatment plan from your doctor can lead to the best results. 

Certain medications like blood pressure drugs can lead to erectile dysfunction and interfere with the results of acoustic wave therapy, so talk to your doctor, who might be able to change the dosing or type of medication. 

Are There Any Acoustic Wave Therapy Side Effects?

Acoustic shockwave therapy produces gentle sound waves and is considered a safe way to improve erectile function. Most men do not experience side effects especially if they use lidocaine cream. The analgesic cream ensures a pain-free experience. In rare cases, men may experience temporary swelling or bruising. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Acoustic Wave Therapy for Treating Erectile Dysfunction

What is acoustic wave therapy for erectile dysfunction?

Acoustic wave therapy, also known as acoustic soundwave therapy, acoustic shockwave therapy, or low-intensity, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT, uses gentle sound waves to improve blood flow in erectile tissue. These low-intensity shockwaves can promote the growth of new blood vessels and also support the health of existing blood vessels.

Some people call acoustic shockwave therapy radial wave therapy, but these two types of treatments are not exactly the same thing. 

Acoustic soundwave therapy can be used for treating erectile dysfunction, but it had its start as a noninvasive treatment for other conditions such as kidney stones. Acoustic wave therapy can be done in a clinic or at home with a special device.

What is the success rate of shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction?

Shockwave therapy has some key benefits and leads to significant improvement in  60% to 93% of men with erectile dysfunction who try it.(1) 

One survey of men who used an at-home acoustic wave therapy device found that 85% of men report the ability to get it up, 77% of men report the ability to keep it up, 85% report being harder and fuller, and 85% of men report improved confidence. 

Acoustic wave therapy works best in men with mild to moderate ED whose erectile problems are caused by poor blood flow to the penis. 

Does acoustic wave therapy for ED last a long time?

Unlike medications, which have effects that wear off within hours, sound waves are long-lasting,  Results from acoustic wave therapy for erectile dysfunction can last from six months to two years. At that point, touch-up treatments are needed to maintain the results and ensure patients can get a healthy erection.

How much does acoustic wave therapy cost?

In-clinic low-intensity shockwave therapy, although an effective treatment, can cost $500 per session. Usually, six treatments are needed along with maintenance treatments at a later date. This means that treatments can add up to over $3,000. 

At-home acoustic wave therapy, on the other hand, is $879 or less for a device that delivers your original treatment sessions, along with many maintenance sessions, meaning that improving sexual performance is considerably less expensive than in-clinic therapy.  

Source:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27444215/