Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (LI-ESWT) for Erectile Dysfunction

Abou Chawareb, E, Muhammed A.M. Hammad, Supanut Lumbiganon, Babak K. Azad, Jessica M. Yih, Faysal A. Yafi

Erectile Dysfunction; Shockwave; Regenerative Therapy

Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) is an innovative, non-invasive, regenerative

treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). LiSWT works by generating microbubbles in the

vasculature and tissue, which collapse and disrupt the endothelium. This disruption

activates resident stem cells and induces chemokine production, attracting endothelial

progenitor cells and stimulating the release of vascular endothelial growth factor

(VEGF). These factors collectively promote neoangiogenesis, enhancing penile blood

flow essential for erections. The film demonstrates the preferred treatment setup,

highlighting the importance of precise shockwave application to the penile and perineal

areas, facilitated by a conductive gel. The painless procedure involves targeting specific

regions to maximize therapeutic outcomes. By detailing the mechanisms and procedural

steps, the film aims to educate both patients and healthcare providers on the benefits

and scientific basis of LiSWT for ED.

none

FAY: Coloplast: Advisory board, speaker; Endo: Advisory board; Haleon: Advisory

board; Halozyme: Advisory board, speaker; Masimo: Intellectual property; Softwave:

Advisory board; Sprout: Consultant; Vertica: Research investigator; Xialla: Advisory

board. Other authors has nothing to disclose.

1) Leslie SW, Soon-Sutton TL, Khan MAB. Male Infertility. 2024 Feb 25. In:

StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan.

2) Asker H, Yilmaz-Oral D, Oztekin CV, Gur S. An update on the current status and

future prospects of erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy. Prostate.

2022 Sep;82(12):1135-1161. doi: 10.1002/pros.24366. Epub 2022 May 17.

3) Gruenwald I, Appel B, Kitrey ND, Vardi Y. Shockwave treatment of erectile

dysfunction. Ther Adv Urol. 2013 Apr;5(2):95-9. doi:

10.1177/1756287212470696.

4) Young Academic Urologists Men's Health Group; Fode M, Hatzichristodoulou G,

Serefoglu EC, Verze P, Albersen M. Low-intensity shockwave therapy for erectile

dysfunction: is the evidence strong enough? Nat Rev Urol. 2017 Oct;14(10):593-

606. doi: 10.1038/nrurol.2017.119. Epub 2017 Jul 25.

5) Liu J, Zhou F, Li GY, Wang L, Li HX, Bai GY, Guan RL, Xu YD, Gao ZZ, Tian WJ,

Xin ZC. Evaluation of the effect of different doses of low energy shock wave

therapy on the erectile function of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Int

J Mol Sci. 2013 May 21;14(5):10661-73. doi: 10.3390/ijms140510661.