Erectile dysfunction affects between 30 and 50 million cisgender men in the United States alone, but most of the treatments on the market are medications that cause side effects or procedures that require injections below the belt. For those looking for a less invasive solution to a problem that causes so many men to feel shame, there are far fewer options.
This all too common problem has been widely studied, which means that there are medications on the market like Viagra and Cialis, and injectables like the P-Shot and penile Botox, but they don’t work for everyone, and some people are looking for a treatment option without the side effects or recovery time.
That’s where scientists have come to the rescue. Unlike all of those other treatments, shockwave therapy is a noninvasive, pain-free procedure that has no real complications you need to worry about.
To get to the bottom of this futuristic-sounding therapy that uses acoustic waves to improve blood flow, we talked to experts in the field who treat their own patients with the procedure or who have gotten it themselves. Here is everything you need to know about shockwave therapy and whether or not it might be the solution you’ve been looking for.
What is shockwave therapy?
What is shockwave therapy?
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Low intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT), the clinical name for shockwave therapy, was once used to heal bones and treat chronic wounds, but now is being used to give people better erections.
With shockwave therapy, clinicians use a wand-like device to send targeted high-energy sound waves to different parts of the penis. The treatment emits gentle pulses, only takes approximately 15 minutes, and no anesthesia is needed. The aim is to help repair and strengthen blood vessels and improve blood flow — two things you need to get an erection, and the same goal as traditional ED medications like Viagra.
Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner Chris Bustamante tells Out that he uses shockwave therapy at his clinic because it “is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment designed to improve erectile dysfunction and overall sexual performance without the need for pills or surgical procedures.” Bustamante is the owner and CEO of Lushful Aesthetics, a men's clinic that offers shockwave therapy alongside other specialized ED treatments like penile Botox and the P-Shot.
“Our treatments for penile shockwave therapy are personalized and designed for sexual performance enhancement and ED relief,” Bustamante says. “Focused shockwave therapy works to promote new capillary development that regenerates tissue while breaking up old calcifications that occur with age, physical damage, and lifestyle.”
Eve Hall, a sexual health physical therapist, sex educator, and host of the Please Me! Podcast with Eve, agrees and explains that with a series of treatments, shockwave therapy “also helps the body to form more capillary formation. Capillaries are the tiny blood vessels that go to every cell in your body. So more blood flow equals harder erections."
What does the research say?
What does the research say?
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The FDA has yet to approve LiWST for use as an erectile dysfunction treatment, but some studies suggest that it improves erectile function with no adverse effects. Doctors using shockwave therapy as an ED treatment outside of a research setting is still considered off-label, but a 2021 narrative review shows some studies have found LiSWT to be most effective at treating moderate to sever ED, even in cases where oral medications failed, and that it worked best for treating mild ED when it was combined with other therapies.
Current research also suggests that shockwave therapy most effective for people with vasculogenic ED, which occurs when blood flow issues prevent the penis from filling with blood and retaining it. It is the most common cause of erectile dysfunction.
The Sexual Medicine Society of North America still considers shockwave therapy for treating ED to be “investigational in the U.S.” but recently found that the positive results can be prolonged by “adding five more rounds after the initial six-week treatment regimen may be more effective in treating ED.”
How effective is shockwave therapy at treating erectile dysfunction?
How effective is shockwave therapy at treating erectile dysfunction?
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There is a widespread misbelief that erections should be easy, readily available, and never fail, but since millions are struggling with ED, scientists are constantly searching for new solutions. But does this one actually work?
Bustamante says he uses this “penis rejuvenation therapy” in his clinic because “the results help treat erectile dysfunction, enhancing erection firmness and longevity while also increasing sensitivity and sexual pleasure.”
Paul Aaron Travis, a certified sexologist and sex educator, who is currently working on an upcoming book titled Joy of a Soft Cock, “boned up” on the research before trying the treatment out for himself and felt confident enough to move forward. “My practical takeaway is that the therapy appears is promising for men whose erectile difficulties are primarily vascular and who still have some natural erectile function,” Travis says. “It is less likely to be a miracle cure for severe erectile dysfunction caused by multiple medical factors.”
But before you jump on the shockwave train too, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider about your boner problems since erectile dysfunction can be a sign that other things are going on with your health. “ED can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic dysfunction, sleep apnea, chronic stress, depression, relationship issues, or lifestyle factors,” he says. "Even when shockwave therapy helps, men often get the best outcomes when they also address exercise, sleep, nutrition, stress management, hormone health, and relationship quality.”
How will shockwave therapy improve your sex life?
How will shockwave therapy improve your sex life?
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According to Bustamante, “Patients tend to experience more spontaneous erections and longer-lasting erections. Most patients also report an improvement in sensation after receiving this male enhancement procedure.”
Hall, who also administers shockwave therapy in her own practice, says most patients see “excellent functional gains” that allows them to have more of the kind of sex they’ve been craving. “When you have more blood flow, you will get more aroused and have the ability to use your genitals as they were meant to be used,” she says. “The penis functions optimally when it can be fully engorged for penetration.”
Beyond all of the studies and reports from clinicians, Travis was happy with the results he got when he tried shockwave therapy out himself. “I found the benefit to be more consistent and firmer erections, though others may find the larger benefit to be confidence,” he says. “So many men describe erectile challenges as creating a cycle of anxiety, anticipation, and self-monitoring. Improved erectile reliability can reduce performance anxiety, increase spontaneity, and allow greater focus on pleasure and connection (rather than that oh-so-common dread of whether an erection will occur or last).”
How much does it cost?
How much does it cost?
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Bustamante charges about $500 per session, or around $2400 for the six sessions he recommends getting for the best results. Travis says that when he was shopping around he found shockwave therapy ranged from $2000 to $6000 depending on the number of sessions. The cost will likely be higher if you go to a urologist for treatment, but Hall says that she charges $350 per session in her clinic.
Bottom line? Prices vary by practitioner and location so shop around and find one that works for you but be sure to pick a well-respected provider you trust.
“It is an investment, but every patient that I have helped has been so grateful to have that boost in function,” Hall says. “I also have a full protocol for my patients to follow in conjunction with treatment to maximize the treatments benefits.”
Are there any side effects?
Are there any side effects?
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While medications and injectables all have side effects that have to be weighed against the benefits of the treatment, shockwave therapy is non-invasive, doesn’t require anesthesia, and is side effect free.
“There are no negative side effects associated with shockwave therapy,” Bustamante reports. “Each session is quick, comfortable, and requires no recovery time. Some patients report feeling a vibrating sensation during the treatment, more so towards the head. But overall, penis rejuvenation therapy is relatively painless.”
Hall says that not only are there no negative side effects, but you can also have sex immediately. “There are zero side effects or down time,” she says. “You can have sex the same day. One of the positive effects is immediate changes that most men see the same week, and often the same day. More spontaneous erections and an increase in nocturnal erections or ‘morning wood.’”
Sources cited:
Chris Bustamante is an aesthetic nurse practitioner, and the owner and CEO of Lushful Aesthetics, a men's clinic that offers shockwave therapy.
Eve Hall is a sexual health physical therapist, sex educator, prividor of shockwave therapy, and host of the Please Me! Podcast with Eve.
Paul Aaron Travis is a certified sexologist and sex educator, who is currently working on an upcoming book titled Joy of a Soft Cock.
