Shockwave Therapy for ED Treatment in Long Island
Despite being a very common condition, many men become incredibly embarrassed and frustrated by their erectile dysfunction. Some may even experience daily struggles or a diagnosis of clinical depression as a result of untreated erectile dysfunction.
Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to men with ED, including Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (LISWT).
How Does Shockwave Therapy for ED Work?
Although its title may sound a bit intimidating, shockwave therapy is actually a very simple process that focuses on improving blood flow to the penis. One major benefit is that all treatments are completely non-invasive.
During these routine visits, Dr. Peters will utilize a machine that delivers controlled, focused shockwaves to the area. These soundwaves act upon tissues filled with fluid ( blood) like erectile tissue of the penis and the blood vessels that bring blood to and from the erectile tissues. Shockwave therapy makes (micro)bubbles form in the blood which cause the erectile tissue cells to expand and compress. In essence, a micro-injury occurs that stimulates the erectile tissue to express growth factors and attract stem cells, which can lead to tissue generation, ie generation of new nerves and new blood vessels, also known as neoangiogenesis. In addition, these factors can act upon the existing damaged blood vessels, improve their flow through the release of key chemicals such as Nitric Oxide (NO) which is key in the physiologic pathway to erections (ie Viagra works on this pathway)
What Device Does Dr. Peters Use?
Dr. Peters uses The DUOLITH® SD1 »ultra« ( by Storz) to perform shockwave therapy. This focused shockwave machine is one of the few machines extensively referenced in the sexual medicine literature and proven to work for the right patient. Although shockwave therapy is not FDA approved for the treatment of ED in the USA, this machine is FDA approved for medical use in the US due to its safety profile and high quality.
What Can I Expect During the Procedure?
Shockwave therapy typically consists of one treatment per week for six weeks. Each office visit should only take about 30 minutes with the procedure itself only taking 15. The procedure is completely painless and does not require any local anesthetic. Lubricant jelly will be placed on the probe and applied along the right and left erectile bodies of the penile shaft and perineum, which is the area under the scrotum where the penis extends to. If required, a patient may request an additional 1-2 treatments, though this is rarely needed. Before and after each six-week treatment course, a penile Doppler will be performed to evaluate baseline blood flow in the penis and then to later evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.
What Makes Shockwave Therapy an Effective Solution for Me?
A majority of erectile dysfunction cases lead back to an issue of poor circulation. This may be caused by an identified vascular condition, or the blood vessels may simply not work as well as they used to. Aging can have a hefty influence over this because as we get older our circulatory system begins to naturally weaken as we decrease activity levels and require less and less blood flow throughout our body.
A key component to shockwave therapy is that it treats a natural condition in a way that allows for an equally natural outcome. Once treatment is complete, the goal is to get men back to enjoying firm, long-lasting erections that allow them to engage in spontaneous sexual encounters in ways that medications would not.
How Long Does Shockwave Therapy Last?
Some studies suggest that shockwave therapy results will last up to one year and maybe longer. The trending belief is that “tune-up” treatments will be needed after one year to maintain improvement.
What We Know Thus Far
Shockwave therapy is safe and painless, particularly when using the FOCUSED machine. It has shown to be effective for men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction. As a sexual medicine expert, Dr. Peters is best suited to determine the degree of ED during the initial consultation and follow up penile Ultrasound. It is not likely to work for severe ED.
Shockwave therapy has not been shown, and should not be used, to treat Peyronie’s disease. It can, however, be used to manage pain from Peyronie’s disease.
Example of Success following Shockwave Therapy:
- Viagra or Cialis were effective, and now I no longer pills to achieve a quality erection
- Viagra and Cialis had some effect before, and now erections respond much better to pills
Those with severe, long-standing ED, diabetes or heart disease, and erections that do not respond at all to pills are not ideal candidates for Shockwave therapy.
Schedule a Shockwave Therapy Consultation in Long Island Today
Interested in learning more about shockwave therapy and whether or not you may be a candidate for treatment? Contact Dr. David L. Peters to discuss your symptoms of ED and determine if shockwave therapy is right for you. To schedule your consultation at our men’s health clinic in Long Island, please call (516) 758-8600 today.