No thanks! I’m not interested. I’ll figure out another solution for this problem! These are my feelings about a new way of treating an old problem. What I’m referring to is the recently introduced, non-invasive, drug-free treatment for erectile dysfunction, ie. ED. It is still investigational, but it has demonstrated “promise” in numerous recent trials.
The procedure is called Low-intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Li-ESWT. This is the same treatment doctors call lithotripsy and use to break up kidney stones that are stuck and won’t pass down the ureter. In this case, though, the shock wave is far less forceful, ie. it is much less of a punch in the side, than is required to break up a calcified stone. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, or ESWL, for short, has been used worldwide to treat kidney stones for decades. Today, It’s use is standard procedure for difficult to retrieve kidney stones, but the intensity required to break up a calcium oxalate stone requires the patient to have general anesthesia. Li-ESWT is done without.
Li-EWST has been evaluated in numerous trials. Men with “vasculogenic ED” have been treated successfully without anesthesia. Low intensity pulses are “applied to different areas of penile tissue….[to] induce biological changes in the vascular tissue, thereby improving blood circulation required for erection.” Li-EWST improved erectile function, both in regard to penile rigidity and ED scores (obtaining and maintaining erections). It is also thought shockwaves may improve an individual’s response to Viagra and Cialis for patients in whom there had not previously been a response.
Revascularization of penile erectile tissue with Li-EWST can take between 6-12 sessions before one can really appreciate improvement in erectile function. There is still further evaluation to be done to satisfy patient expectations and restore proper erectile function. But one has to admit, this sounds interesting and if successful would provide a scenario where Viagra would be needed less and erections more spontaneous. Time will tell if this is a reasonably effective treatment.
References: Bernardo MM. Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: Does it Work? medscape.com 2026 April 20.
