Research Article
Low Intensity Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: Keeping Hope Alive
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
105-111
Received:
30 September 2025
Accepted:
11 October 2025
Published:
30 October 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.advances.20250604.11
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Abstract: Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as persistent inability to achieve and sustain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. The prevalence of ED increases with aging from 9% in men younger than 40 years to 71% in older men. ED impacts negatively on sexual performance and quality of life (QoL). Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) for ED is a regenerative therapy and contrary to other current therapeutic options which are mainly palliative, it restores the erectile mechanism enabling natural or spontaneous erections. LiSWT has found significant usefulness in the treatment of ED with potential to induce angiogenesis and dislodge plaques which will invariably improve blood flood to the penis leading to a lifelong solution to ED with marked improvement in sexual performance. Methodology: This is a prospective randomized study. All patients presenting to andrology clinic with erectile dysfunction were enrolled in the study. Informed consent was obtained. All patients were evaluated to identify the likely etiology and a proforma and standard abridged version of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) were administered. An Emshock and Smart Tecar 2 in 1 device was used to deliver low intensity shockwave to the penis at 5 different sites and treatment sustained twice a week for 3 weeks to complete a cycle before reassessment with IIEF-5 questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0. Results were represented in charts. P value of less than 0.005 was considered statistically significant. Results: Fifty four patients were enrolled in the study. The enrolled patients fell within the age ranges of 34 to 63 years. The identifiable etiology of ED were unknown in 22.22%, diabetes mellitus in 46.30%, hypertension in 18.52% and a combination of hypertension and diabetes in 13%. All patient enrolled for the study had varying degree of abnormal IIEF-5 score. Twelve patients (22.22%) had mild ED, eleven patients (20.37%) had mild to moderate ED, one patient (1.85%) had moderate ED and thirty patients (55.56%) had severe ED. All patients had varying significant improvement in erectile function and IIEF-5 score after the first treatment cycle. Eighteen patients (33.33%) achieved normal erection evidenced by progression to normal IIEF-5 while 36 patients (66.66%) achieved significant progress evidenced by improvement in IIEF-5 score. 4 patients had spontaneous erection that lasted more than 20 minutes during each treatment encounter. No patient had side effect and the patient satisfaction was one hundred percent. Conclusion: LiSWT remains revolutionary as a regenerative therapy for restoration to physiological erectile function possibly possessing unprecedented qualities that can rehabilitate erectile tissue. While results of several studies are variable, one thing that is found across many literatures is the low risk and lack of side effects of LiSWT. Its main benefit is the ability to support and potentially restore erectile function in men with ED without additional pharmacotherapy.
Abstract: Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as persistent inability to achieve and sustain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. The prevalence of ED increases with aging from 9% in men younger than 40 years to 71% in older men. ED impacts negatively on sexual performance and quality of life (QoL). Low-intensity shockwa...
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,
Magnus Felix
