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Does Acoustic Wave Therapy (Li-ESWT) Actually Work?

Fact Checked

Acoustic wave therapy is billed as a good way to improve erectile function. What does science say about this non-invasive therapy? Read our report to find out.

Last Updated: 08/20/2025

Written by

Kimberly Wilkes

You may have heard about acoustic soundwave therapy, what doctors call low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT). You’re wondering, is this type of erectile dysfunction therapy for real, or is it just a bunch of marketing hype?

“I’ve used this therapy in my clinical practice on hundreds of men over the years, and it has demonstrated an impressive degree of effectiveness,” says Paul Thompson, M.D., a urologist and surgeon with more than three decades of experience. “I am also impressed with the volumes of research in the medical literature that show this therapy works.”

In this blog post, we’re going to present some of the most compelling research on Li-ESWT that’s been done over the last several years, as hand-picked by Dr. Thompson. These studies were done using in-clinic therapy, but Dr. Thompson has heard reports from countless patients that the at-home version is equally effective.

What Is Li-ESWT?

In case you’ve never heard of acoustic soundwave therapy, also known as low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT), here is a sound wave therapy 101 recap. Li-ESWT is a type of therapy often used in men with erectile dysfunction. It involves moving a device along certain zones on the penis.

The Li-ESWT device emits gentle shockwaves that work with your body to support healthy blood flow and enhance erectile health. You can go to a men’s clinic for treatments at $500 a pop or use an at-home device for a fraction of the cost.

But here’s the big question: Does acoustic soundwave therapy really work to improve erectile function? Here is what science is saying:

The Big Picture on Li-ESWT and ED

When scientists want to find out if a therapy really works, they’ll take a look at a group of studies to get a big picture of the therapy’s effectiveness. This type of research is known as a meta-analysis or systematic review. Several of these types of reviews paint a positive picture of Li-ESWT for erectile dysfunction.

In a recent meta-analysis, researchers looked at randomized controlled trials that compared Li-ESWT with a placebo therapy in men who had ED caused by vascular causes (in other words, poor blood flow).(1)

The studies included in the analysis measured sexual health in the men based on their scores on three measures of erectile function:

The International Index of Erectile Function - Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) domain score
Increase in the Erection Hardness Score (EHS)
Improvement in Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) 2 and SEP-3.

The meta-analysis zeroed in on 12 randomized controlled trials, including a total of 882 men with ED caused by blood vessel problems. The analysis concluded that there was a statistically significant improvement in the International Index of Erectile Function score and the Erection Hardness Score compared to the placebo treatment.

In other words, compared to placebo treatments, Li-ESWT resulted in significant improvements in the men’s ability to have and maintain erections.

In May 2022, researchers performed a systematic review of randomized clinical trials of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy in erectile dysfunction.(2) Eligible trials compared Li-ESWT to control procedures and included a total of 1,272 patients from 18 studies.

According to the scientists, their analysis “suggests that low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy is an effective intervention for erectile dysfunction, as measured by increases in the International Index of Erectile Function - Erectile Function score.”

Another review that included randomized controlled trials of Li-ESWT for erectile function found statistically significant improvement in the Li-ESWT group compared to controls.(3)

The scientists concluded, “Compared with placebo treatment, Li-ESWT alleviates ED symptoms in patients, particularly those who have mild or moderate ED. Taken together, these results suggest that the Li-ESWT may hold promise for patients with ED.”

Li-ESWT In Men with Prostate Problems

ED is a common problem in men who have had their prostates removed (prostatectomy). A review of medical studies concluded that “small clinical trials with short follow-up show that LI-ESWT could potentially play a role in the management of postprostatectomy ED in the future.”(4)

In a study of 104 men who underwent nerve-sparing prostate removal, Li-ESWT was an effective treatment for ED with or without ED drugs.(5) In addition, following nerve damage after prostate surgery, research suggests Li-ESWT can improve erectile dysfunction in part by regenerating the nerves.(6)

Li-ESWT for When ED Drugs Don’t Work

The cold, not-so-hard truth is that ED medications don’t work for every guy. That’s where acoustic soundwave therapy can be a lifesaver. One study of 126 men investigated the effect of Li-ESWT in the treatment of ED in men who did not respond to ED drugs.(7)

After three months of using Li-ESWT, the men’s erectile function score rose significantly. In one group of men, the score rose from about 13 pre-treatment to 21 post-treatment. However, in the group with a higher diabetes prevalence, there was only a marginal rise from about 5.8 to 6.1.

Likewise, the overall erection hardness score improved significantly in the men with a low prevalence of diabetes. The men with diabetes had no changes in successful vaginal penetration after Li-ESWT therapy, while the men with a lower prevalence of diabetes had a dramatic increase in vaginal penetration successes, from 16 before therapy to 68 after. The men with mild-to-moderate ED had the best improvements compared to men with severe ED.

Li-ESWT in Peyronie’s Disease

Peyronie’s disease is a condition that causes a curved penis and painful erections due to fibrous scar tissue (plaque) that builds up in deep tissue. Some research indicates that a combination of Li-ESWT and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy can significantly improve mean plaque size, penile curvature, pain, and erectile function scores in the early phase of Peyronie’s disease.(8)

In another study of 25 men undergoing weekly sessions of Li-ESWT for six weeks, 64% of the patients experienced the primary goal of pain reduction, and 64% experienced a reduction in plaque size of at least 50%.(9) Vaginal penetration during sexual intercourse improved in 20% of the men treated with Li-ESWT, and 36% of the men experienced an improved erectile function score.

The Bottom Line on Acoustic Soundwave Therapy and ED

As you can see from this article, there’s a lot of scientific evidence to show Li-ESWT is effective in improving sexual function.

If you have mild or moderate ED, it’s a good bet you’ll boost your performance in the bedroom after using Li-ESWT. If your ED is caused or worsened by diabetes, you may need to work with your doctor to improve your health while you are using Li-ESWT.

What’s more, many men with Peyronie’s disease notice better sexual health after using acoustic wave therapy.

Science definitely supports the use of Li-ESWT, so you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving this method a try.