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Enjoy sex like you used to
Reviewed by Kelly Brown MD, MBA
Written by Geoffrey C. Whittaker
Published 01/07/2021
Updated 07/27/2024
Shockwave therapy is among the latest ED treatments, and while it may sound a bit like science fiction, the idea of treating erectile dysfunction with sound waves is legitimate.
Most treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED) work by temporarily increasing blood flow to the penile tissue, but shockwave therapy is different — and it may be longer-lasting. That said, questions remain about this largely untested men’s health boon.
Below, we’ve explained how shockwave therapy works, the effects it could have on your erectile health and sexual performance, and what current research says. We’ve also shared some non-sonic alternatives.
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Shockwave therapy, also known as low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT), is a treatment for erectile dysfunction that promotes tissue health in the penis through sonic damage.
Yes, damage — but in a good way, we promise.
Instead of temporarily increasing blood flow to the penis like most ED medications, shockwave therapy restores the erectile mechanism and allows men with ED to get erections spontaneously and naturally.
Medications like Viagra® (sildenafil) are highly effective, but they have a problem. A single dose can’t last forever, which means the medications currently on the market don’t actually restore full erectile function for men with ED. Shockwave therapy is different.
Shockwave therapy uses linear, low-intensity shockwaves to target tissues near and in the penis. The goal isn’t simply to temporarily treat erectile dysfunction like medications do — it’s to improve blood flow to the penis and allow erections to occur naturally.
The technology behind shockwave therapy has been used to treat other medical conditions for some time. For instance, orthopedists have used extracorporeal shockwave therapy to treat injuries to bones, joints, and ligaments for over 20 years.
How does shockwave therapy work to treat ED? Penile shockwave therapy encourages healthier blood flow and function by causing purposeful damage.
Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LISWT) — like the GAINSWave procedure — causes small amounts of damage that encourage the body to heal itself and become stronger and healthier.
Shockwave therapy for ED involves placing a wand-shaped electronic device against the penis. The wand applies linear shockwaves to the penile tissue, producing a type of injury called microtrauma.
Unlike the blasting that urology professionals do on kidney stones, the damage caused by LISWT is extremely mild.
This microtrauma triggers a process called neovascularization, which involves the creation of new blood vessels. These may enhance blood flow and allow men affected by ED to regain their ability to get an erection without medication.
Shockwave therapy sounds appealing and is certainly interesting from a scientific perspective. But does it actually work? Maybe.
In general, studies show that LI-ESWT creates positive responses in your immune and circulatory systems. Several more specific studies have looked at the effects of shockwave therapy for ED, with some noting significant improvements in participants’ conditions.
One recent systematic review looked at nine clinical studies and 10 animal studies involving males with erectile dysfunction and diabetes. Researchers concluded that LI-ESWT is generally an effective treatment for those with diabetes, though more randomized controlled trials and peer-reviewed studies are needed.
A different meta-analysis looked at data from seven clinical trials with more than 600 participants. It concluded that shockwave therapy produces a significant improvement in erectile function, at least compared to non-therapeutic treatment.
A more recent study published in 2020 produced similar results, though with a small sample size. Of the 25 men with ED who participated in the study, 15 responded successfully, albeit with mild results.
In short, the research largely shows that shockwave therapy works as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, particularly for men with mild to moderate ED.
However, it’s important to note a few things. First, shockwave therapy is a relatively new, largely experimental treatment for ED. Those were pretty much the only studies we could find, and while they did show improvements, there isn’t a lot of long-term data on the procedure’s effectiveness over years or decades.
The second thing worth noting is that although shockwave therapy has produced improvements in some studies, not all men who undergo shockwave ED treatment have positive results.
While shockwave for ED may be effective, it’s by no means a perfect treatment for everyone with erectile dysfunction.
The costs of shockwave therapy for ED can vary widely, depending on certain factors like where you live and how many treatments you need.
The GAINSWave company suggests prices could be between $400 and $500 a treatment. But remember, you’ll typically need a half-dozen or more treatment sessions to see results on this therapy — potentially more when it comes to ED.
There’s more bad news. Unfortunately, since shockwave therapy isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), insurance won’t cover it. So, if this is the route you choose, you’ll have to pay for it out of pocket.
You may not choose the wave therapy route at the end of the day, anyway, as there are some risks and potential drawbacks to consider.
According to most of the research we found, there are few (if any) risks associated with radial wave therapy for erectile dysfunction. In fact, some studies posit that if wave therapy continues to deliver similar results in future testing, its essentially risk-free nature makes it an ideal treatment option for ED.
That said, the biggest risk of shockwave therapy treatment is that there could be yet-to-be-discovered adverse effects of long-term treatment. And as studies continue, they could show shockwave therapy isn’t as effective as it was once thought to be.
How likely is this? Not terribly — but it’s certainly possible. So, if your primary concern is having something already approved by the FDA for ED treatment, you might want to explore other options.
Shockwave therapy is undoubtedly an interesting idea for ED. And it’s a potentially effective option for treating erectile dysfunction over the long term — one day.
However, it’s far from ready for the mainstream right now. Plenty of other options are available to treat ED, and we’d probably pick one of those first.
Several other treatments are available for ED, including:
Medication. Medications like avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, and their brand-name counterparts are effective at treating ED. They work by increasing blood flow to your penis, making it easier to get and keep an erection. You can even get ED medications online, including our chewable ED meds. Learn more about how these medications work in our guide to PDE5 inhibitors.
Psychotherapy. Sometimes, the cause of ED is psychological rather than physical. If your erection issues are due to performance anxiety, stress, or another psychological factor, you may benefit from online therapy more than medication or other treatments.
ED devices. Several devices are available to improve erectile function in men with ED, including options like vacuum constriction devices (AKA penis pumps). These may be an option if you can’t use ED medication due to a health condition or injury.
Other treatments. From injectable medications to suppositories and surgery, there are several other treatments available for erectile dysfunction. We’ve covered these in more detail in our complete guide to ED treatment options.
Shockwave therapy is one of the most promising erectile dysfunction treatments that hasn’t been proven to work — yet.
You may have been hoping the miracle cure was finally here, but for the time being, there’s no cure for ED.
If you want to deal with your ED, shockwave therapy might be one option to talk to healthcare providers about. But generally, the most important thing you can do if you’re struggling to get hard is to remember the facts:
ED is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions experienced by men. Roughly 30 million men in the United States alone are affected by some degree oferectile dysfunction.
Many health conditions may cause erectile dysfunction. Diseases and conditions that affect blood flow, such as heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), and diabetes, can contribute to ED. If you have ED because of a physical issue, such as poor blood flow, shockwave therapy could be a good treatment option.
Your behavior may increase your risk of ED. Things like drinking too much alcohol, smoking, using recreational drugs, being overweight, or living a sedentary lifestyle may give you an increased risk of developing ED.
Shockwave therapy might treat ED. Instead of making it easier to get an erection temporarily, this non-invasive treatment is designed to promote erectile health and restore your ability to get and maintain an erection naturally.
You can try wave therapy for ED. If you’re interested in trying shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a urologist or an ED specialist.
Shockwave hasn’t been proven to work yet. While several clinical studies have shown that shockwave treatment can be effective, there currently isn’t much research on its long-term results.
Proven treatments are what you should focus on. In the meantime, ED pills like sildenafil and tadalafil can provide relief from ED and improve your sexual performance.
Ready to get help? Numerous treatments are available for erectile dysfunction, from medications — like Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis® (tadalafil), and Stendra® (avanafil) — to lifestyle changes, vacuum devices, and more.
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Dr. Kelly Brown is a board certified Urologist and fellowship trained in Andrology. She is an accomplished men’s health expert with a robust background in healthcare innovation, clinical medicine, and academic research. Dr. Brown was previously Medical Director of a male fertility startup where she lead strategy and design of their digital health platform, an innovative education and telehealth model for delivering expert male fertility care.
She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. She took a position at University of California Los Angeles as a radiologic technologist in the department of Interventional Cardiology, further solidifying her passion for medicine. She also pursued the unique opportunity to lead departmental design and operational development at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, sparking her passion for the business of healthcare.
Dr. Brown then went on to obtain her doctorate in medicine from the prestigious Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine and Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, with a concentration in Healthcare Management. During her surgical residency in Urology at University of California San Francisco, she utilized her research year to focus on innovations in telemedicine and then served as chief resident with significant contributions to clinical quality improvement. Dr. Brown then completed her Andrology Fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin, furthering her expertise in male fertility, microsurgery, and sexual function.
Her dedication to caring for patients with compassion, understanding, as well as a unique ability to make guys instantly comfortable discussing anything from sex to sperm makes her a renowned clinician. In addition, her passion for innovation in healthcare combined with her business acumen makes her a formidable leader in the field of men’s health.
Dr. Brown is an avid adventurer; summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (twice!) and hiking the incredible Torres del Paine Trek in Patagonia, Chile. She deeply appreciates new challenges and diverse cultures on her travels. She lives in Denver with her husband, two children, and beloved Bernese Mountain Dog. You can find Dr. Brown on LinkedIn for more information.
Education & Training
Andrology Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin
Urology Residency, University of California San Francisco
M.D. Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineB.S. in Radiologic Science, Chemistry Minor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Published as Kelly Walker
Cowan, B, Walker, K., Rodgers, K., Agyemang, J. (2023). Hormonal Management Improves Semen Analysis Parameters in Men with Abnormal Concentration, Motility, and/or Morphology. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 118, Issue 5, e4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/fertility-and-sterility/vol/120/issue/1/suppl/S
Walker, K., Gogoj, A., Honig, S., Sandlow, J. (2021). What’s New in Male Contraception? AUA Update Series, Volume 40. https://auau.auanet.org/content/update-series-2021-lesson-27-what%E2%80%99s-new-male-contraception
Walker, K., Shindel, A. (2019). AUA Erectile Dysfunction Guideline. AUA Update Series, Volume 38. https://auau.auanet.org/content/course-307
Walker, K., Ramstein, J., & Smith, J. (2019). Regret Regarding Fertility Preservation Decisions Among Male Cancer Patients. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e680-e681. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556300.18991.8e
Walker, K., & Smith, J. (2019). Feasibility Study of Video Telehealth Clinic Visits in Urology. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e545-e545. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556071.60611.37