Focussed shockwave therapy is used for treatment of ED.  

Shockwave treatment initiates a pro-inflammatory response in the tissue where the shockwaves have been applied. The body responds by increasing the blood circulation and metabolism in the impact area which in turn accelerates the body’s own healing processes. 

In the specific case of Erectile Dysfunction, shockwave improves erections via two mechanisms: 

• Promotes angio-genesis (development of new blood vessels) in the penis which means that the blood flow to the penis increases and hence stronger erections are achieved; 
• Rejuvenation of penis smooth muscle – Most patients suffering from ED do so because the smooth muscle in their penile arteries have been damaged. Shockwave therapy has been shown to induce the body to repair the smooth muscle in the penis and thus improve the function of the veno-occlusive mechanism. 

Shockwave therapy can help patients suffering from ED and even improve erections in men with no issues. A pre-treatment assessment needs to carried out before a patient proceeds with treatment to make sure it is appropriate and also determine the optimum treatment protocol.  

At Ravenscroft Health we work as a team to help you. We have our specialist Men’s health GP and also liaise with Consultant Urologists if we feel their input may be required to manage your condition if shock wave is deemed inappropriate.

Each treatment session lasts around 20 minutes. When you arrive at the clinic your Shockwave Specialist will take you to the room with the shockwave machine where you will get undressed and lie on the treatment bed. The Specialist will then apply the treatment using a special probe on different parts of your penis and perineum. Most patients experience very little discomfort or pain during the session. It is important that if you do not feel comfortable you let your Specialist know if you do and the shockwave intensity will be adjusted accordingly. You may request for a chaperone or bring in your family member if you wish to.

 At our clinics, we recommend a minimum, of 6 twenty-minute sessions over a four to six week period. 3000 shock waves administered to 3 different sites is the recommended volume per session.  

We only use Storz Medical equipment which provides the most advanced shockwave technology. Storz Medical are based in Switzerland are the leaders in Shockwave technology research and equipment.  

Our experience and the studies so far indicate that the number of sessions will depend on the severity of ED, the presence of other conditions and the response to treatment.

As the method seems to have a physiologic effect on the erection mechanism, repeating the treatment after a certain period of time seems logical. However, the question regarding a possible saturation effect remains unanswered and requires further investigation.  

Research shows that patients can benefit more in sexual performance from 12 sessions twice per week compared with 6 sessions once a week. Shockwave therapy can be repeated up to a total of 18 sessions.

The biological effects of shockwave therapy are permanent and have been established on a basic science level. However, erectile dysfunction depends on the lifestyle of patients and is usually a symptom of underlying health issues which lead to ED. 

Given that the treatment is relatively new, the longest period that patients have been followed up after treatment in a systematic way as part of a clinical trial was 12 months. The results of this study indicate that the treatment benefits were preserved after one year from the treatment but further studies are required to investigate the efficacy after a longer period of time. 

Sometimes the treatment is a little uncomfortable, but most people can stand these few intense minutes without medication. If patients are in pain during the treatment, they are to notify the Specialist as there are some adjustments that can be made to reduce the discomfort. 

Normally patients experience mild discomfort or none at all immediately after the treatment, but a mild and diffused pain may occur a few hours later. This dull pain can last for a day or so. 

Shockwave therapy treatment initiates a pro-flammatory response in the tissue that is being treated. If necessary, patients may use ordinary prescription-free painkillers. Do not use anti-inflammatory medication or ice in the treated area as both may interfere with the body’s self-healing abilities. 

Usually, the response to shockwave therapy treatment is good however it may take several months before the maximum effect is achieved. If after 3-4 months the patient still does not experience a pronounced improvement, then we recommend you get a consultation with our in-house Men’s health GP who have extensive experience in managing these conditions.