Can Shockwave Therapy Help With Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?

Living with erectile dysfunction (ED) isn’t always easy. There are medications that can help treat ED symptoms, but there isn’t a cure for ED. If you’re looking for treatments that don’t involve medications, you may have heard about shockwave therapy to treat ED. While it isn’t FDA-approved yet, there’s evidence that it can improve ED symptoms. There’s even some hope that shockwave therapy could be used to cure some types of ED in the future. 

Does shockwave therapy work for ED?

Shockwave therapy — specifically low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) — has been studied as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. 

In studies, people who received shockwave therapy were more likely to see improvements in their ED symptoms compared to those who didn’t get treatment. Studies also suggest that people with mild to moderate ED usually respond best to shockwave therapy.

Generally, people who get shockwave therapy notice improved ED symptoms within 1 to 3 months after starting therapy. For example, one review of research highlighted improvements in penile hardness and the ability to achieve and maintain an erection. 

Some studies describe the early improvements as “dramatic.” But most experts advise that people should expect mild to moderate improvements in their ED symptoms.

There’s a reasonable amount of evidence supporting the use of shockwave therapy for ED. But it’s important to keep a few things in mind if you’re considering this option.

It’s not FDA-approved 

Shockwave therapy isn’t FDA-approved for ED treatment. This means the procedure hasn’t gone through the testing that’s needed to make sure it works and is safe for most people. 

It’s not clear how long results lasts

In studies, people saw the best improvements within 3 months of starting shockwave therapy. Some studies followed people for up to a year, and many still reported benefits. But it’s not clear if these improvements fade over time without treatment. It’s possible you may need ongoing shockwave therapy. 

There’s no clear treatment protocol

There’s no standardized treatment protocol for shockwave therapy. This means it’s not clear how many sessions are needed to get the maximum effects. It also means that each physician may use a slightly different amount of energy when treating someone with shockwave therapy. These differences can affect how well the treatment works between people.

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It doesn’t work for everyone 

In studies, some people didn’t respond to shockwave therapy. And it’s not entirely clear why. 

How does shockwave therapy work for ED?

Shockwave therapy doesn’t just treat ED symptoms. It may treat the root cause of ED by increasing blood flow to the penis. 

Low-intensity shock waves are actually just sound waves that carry energy. During shockwave therapy, these shock waves transfer their energy to the blood vessels of your penis. This prompts your body to create new blood vessels in the area. As a result, more blood can flow to your penis, making it easier to get and keep an erection.

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The same principle explains how shockwave therapy helps in treating other medical conditions, like heart disease, bone fractures, and burns. In each case, the focused energy from the shock waves causes new blood vessels to form in the area. This improves blood flow and promotes healing. 

What is the shockwave therapy procedure like?

Shockwave therapy might sound intimidating, but it isn’t painful or invasive.

Urologists and other healthcare professionals who treat erectile dysfunction often offer shockwave therapy in their offices. You don’t need anesthesia for the procedure, and you can drive yourself home afterward. Here’s what you might expect during the treatment:

• The shock waves come from a wand-like device that’s hooked up to a machine. 

• Your healthcare professional places the wand near your penis to deliver the shock waves. 

• The session lasts about 15 minutes.

Since there’s no standard protocol for shockwave therapy, the total number of shock waves you get per treatment will depend on where you go for therapy. The number of sessions you need may also vary. For example, some centers recommend 4 treatments in total, while other centers recommend up to 12 sessions.

What results can you expect from shockwave therapy?

There’s some evidence that shockwave therapy can significantly improve erectile function in people with mild to moderate ED. But it isn’t clear how long the effects last. One study found that the effects started to fade 2 to 3 years after treatment. 

What are the side effects of shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy for ED is considered to be quite safe. While it’s a newer treatment for ED, shockwave therapy has been used to treat other medical conditions for decades. So, there’s good data on its safety and low risk of side effects.

That said, some people have reported side effects, although they are uncommon. Some reported side effects include:

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Indigestion

• Pain in the penis

• Bleeding or bruising around your penis

• Blood in your urine

• Worsening penile curvature

Who should try shockwave therapy for ED?

Shockwave therapy may work better for certain people with ED. The following may make you a good candidate for shockwave therapy. 

You have mild to moderate ED

Studies suggest that people with milder forms of ED are more likely to benefit from shockwave therapy. It isn’t clear how well this therapy works for people with severe ED. 

You have ED because of poor blood flow

Shockwave therapy helps your body form new blood vessels. So, it’s more likely to be helpful for people who have ED because of poor blood flow. 

Medications didn’t help your symptoms

Shockwave therapy can help when traditional ED medications — including phosphodiesterase inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) — don’t help. 

You don’t want to take medication

If you prefer not to take ED medications, shockwave therapy offers a medication-free treatment option. You can also use shockwave therapy along with ED medications. In fact, studies suggest that it may help these medications work better. 

What to know before using shockwave therapy

If you’re considering shockwave therapy, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Insurance coverage: Currently, insurances don’t cover shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction. 

• Finding a qualified professional: Look for a urologist who has experience with shockwave therapy. You may also consider participating in a clinical trial. 

• Safety: Shockwave therapy is generally safe. But keep in mind, the procedure hasn’t yet been approved by the FDA. 

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Written by:

Ronald W. Dworkin, MD, PhD

Ronald W. Dworkin, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist who has been practicing anesthesiology in a community hospital for 30 years. He has taught in the honors program at George Washington University for over 10 years and works as a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

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