What’s the Difference Between Shockwave Therapy and Pulsewave Therapy for ED Treatment?

 

Fortunately, there are several conventional treatments available for ED, including lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery. But recently, Comprehensive Urology in Beverly Hills, CA has been studying the positive effects of shockwave therapy for ED. Also known as pulse wave therapy, shockwave therapy is being used in patients as part of a new set of ED treatment protocols.

Does Shock Wave Therapy Help Erectile Dysfunction?

According to a 2021 review of clinical studies, low intensity shock wave therapy (LiSWT) is a regenerative therapy that uses shockwaves to encourage regeneration of blood vessels and nerves. At Comprehensive Urology, our observational studies have also shown that applying shockwave treatment using a hand held apparatus to penile tissue, erections are more likely to happen and last longer than before. ED Shockwave therapy achieves this by increasing blood flow in the penile blood vessels.

While many types of health providers can provide shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction, it’s essential that you seek help from a board certified urology when see any treatment to your genitals. Let’s do a deep dive into treating erectile dysfunction with a comparative analysis between different shockwave therapies.

What’s the Difference Between Shockwave & Pulsewave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction?

Shockwave therapy and pulsewave therapy are two names for the same, non-invasive treatment that use sound waves to stimulate blood flow and improve erectile function. Shockwave therapy and pulsewave therapy are both low-intensity shockwave therapies as a means of treating erectile dysfunction.

The true comparison to consider comes when describing the two main subtypes of shockwave therapy, notably radial shockwave therapy and focused shockwave therapy.

While each share the same aims of treating ED via the use of shock waves to help break up plaque in damaged areas and stimulate blood flow where it might be lacking, each has a different approach, one far more aggressive than the other.

What is Radial Shockwave Therapy?

Radial shockwave therapy uses radial shockwave devices often described as ?jackhammers? that repeatedly pounds against the penile skin. Due to the intolerable nature of the treatment that typically requires anaesthetic before application, it?s largely agreed upon that radial shockwave therapy is less effective than focused shockwave therapy, a superior and all-but-painless treatment for those suffering from ED.

What is Focused Shockwave Therapy?

Focused shockwave therapy uses a lower-intensity device that happens to deliver more energy in a more accurate and pain-free manner to treat the same or similar symptoms of ED, not limited to its ability to target areas that which have been damaged by Peyronie’s disease.

Without a doubt, the focused low intensity shockwave devices are the gold standard as they?re able to deliver much higher energy with higher accuracy. This means that this therapy for erectile dysfunction has minimal discomfort, making it the optimal noninvasive treatment among the various treatment options available.

 

Is Shockwave Therapy Safe and Effective?

As for the safety and efficacy of low-intensity shockwave therapy (LISW), it has been confirmed through research that it is, in fact, confirmed as a therapeutic approach to erectile dysfunction, showing a statistically significant improvement in ED evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF). Like many treatments, however, it does require more long-term data to further back its claims.

To further back its safety and efficacy, a 2019 meta-analysis concluded that, as a non-invasive treatment, low-intensity shockwave therapy is, in fact, both safe and effective, showing significant improvement in both IIEF and EHS in participating ED patients.

While it?s universally agreed-upon that focused shockwave therapy is the gold standard of ED treatment with regards to alternative approaches, it?s important to note that not all focused shockwave therapy devices are the same. When seeking out such treatment, be certain to ensure that the device has a powerful source of adjustable strength and shock frequency that can be tailored to the person?s unique needs.

What are the Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction Treatment?

In terms of its benefits, shockwave therapies have been shown to improve erectile function, increase blood flow to the penis, and reduce symptoms of Peyronie’s disease, among other reported benefits. However, as discussed, focused shockwave therapy is often the better option for those who are looking for a gentler, non-invasive form of treatment.

Let?s take a closer look at the specific benefits of shockwave therapy at large:

• Improves erectile function: Shockwave therapy has been shown to improve erectile function by breaking up plaque and stimulating blood flow in the penis.
• Treats Peyronie’s disease: This therapy can also help to reduce symptoms of Peyronie’s disease, a condition that causes the penis to bend or become curved during erections.
• Minimally invasive: Unlike surgery, shockwave therapy is a non-invasive form of treatment that does not require incisions or general anesthesia.
• Improves blood flow: increases blood flow to the penis by stimulating the growth of new blood vessels. This, in turn, can improve erectile function.
• Gentle treatment option: focused shockwave therapy uses lower-intensity sound waves, making it a gentler form of treatment for those who are looking for a non-invasive option.

Shockwave therapy as it?s universally defined has been shown as an effective treatment for ED, however, it’s important to consider your individual needs and health history before deciding on a specific approach.

Further, while the safety and efficacy of these benefits are backed by research, the duration in which the benefits last depend on the severity of the ED. According to a 2018 study out of the Journal of Urology, it was concluded that though the benefits may be preserved in those with mild ED, such a treatment was only effective in the short-term for patients with more severe cases.

If you’re interested in trying such a treatment, be sure to talk to your qualified urologist about which one is best for you and if the benefits of it will, in fact, last. If you?re in the LA area, Comprehensive Urology can help as we are currently accepting patients for a new, innovative protocol using shockwave therapy for ED.

How Long Does it Take for Shockwave Therapy to Work for ED?

Patience can see an initial result in 1-2 days after treatment. Normally, a patient will initially receive a cluster of treatments over the course of a few weeks. The full effects of the treatment will be realized in 2-3 months after treatments.

How Many Sessions of Shockwave Therapy for ED are Required?

While there are various treatment protocols, a minimum of 6 shockwave therapy treatments are recommended for the best results. It’s best to receive 2-3 treatments a week for 2-3 weeks to achieve the maximum number of erections that will maintain for the longest period of time during sex.

How Long Will the Effects of Shockwave Therapy for ED Last?

After the initial 6 shockwave therapy treatments for erectile dysfunction, a patient will typical maintain these positive results between 12-18 months. It’s recommended that a patient continue to receive a single maintenance treatment every 6-8 weeks after the initial 6 treatments to maintain optimal erections for the longest duration.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment in Los Angeles

It?s important to remember that while focused low intensity shockwave therapy devices are effective on their own, their effect can further be enhanced by providing other supportive measures in tandem to optimize penile blood flow.

The best protocols to accomplish such an aim utilizes supportive agents to improve nitric oxide production, thus further promoting blood flow optimization to the penis.

In order for the protocol to be optimally effectiveness, however, a center must first identify the underlying cause ED thereby providing a tailored treatment program for each patient and their unique needs.

Comprehensive Urology has had fantastic results because of this very approach. Utilizing the Atlas protocol, an approach that begins with identifying the underlying cause of ED and proceeds with reversing its symptomatology, Comprehensive Urology has earned its name as a premier treatment center in Los Angeles for all things erectile dysfunction and penile enhancement.

Notably, the choice of practitioners is also important for potential shockwave therapy interventionists. With many clinicians now offering the service, it can be difficult to know who to trust, or at the very least, who to choose when seeking such a treatment.

However, it?s best to receive treatment from a board certified urologist as these are medical specialists who specialize in male sexual function. Not only are urologists medical professionals but they are surgical experts of male genitalia and sexual function. Correct diagnosis of what is causing your erectile dysfunction is essential to a successful treatment protocol.

Comprehensive Urology is a premier urology practice located in Beverly Hills that offers cutting edge, non-invasive treatments for erectile dysfunction and penile enhancements. Contact us to learn more about our ongoing clinical trials and to book an appointment with Dr. Kia Michel’s team. You don’t have to wait to regain your optimal sexual health and vitality.