If you are dealing with erectile dysfunction, you are not alone: ED is a condition that affects millions of men around the world. The good news is that today there are effective treat-ment options.
Many cases of ED are caused by vascular issues. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a relatively new and innovative method to treat a vascular erectile dysfunction. It is painless and many patients report a noticeable improvement of their ability to achieve an erection within a few weeks.
Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sexual disorder. Men affected by ED have consistent trouble with achieving and maintaining an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse despite being sexually stimulated. This can have a significant effect on the quality of life of men and their partners.
Causes and therapy
The condition can have physical or psychological causes. One of the major causes of ED is restricted blood flow to the penis – the amount of blood in the cavernous bodies may then not be enough to cause an erection. This type of ED is called vascular erectile dysfunction.
Men with ED are often treated with oral medications. However, they are not the only way to treat erectile dysfunction. One of the alternatives is extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT).
Shock wave therapy for erectile dysfunction
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has been used for the treatment of vascular erectile dysfunction since 2010. During treatment, low-intensity shock waves are applied to different areas of the penis. The therapy with shock waves is simple and no anaesthesia is required.
Blood flow is improved
The shock waves stimulate the creation of new blood vessels in the cavernous bodies. This improves the blood flow in the penis, which may positively affect the ability to achieve an erection.
One therapy session usually takes 15 minutes.
In general, an average of 6 to 10 therapy sessions are necessary.
Erectile dysfunction: what partners need to know
Erectile dysfunction (ED) usually affects not only the men but their partners as well. It can have a devastating effect on a relationship. Men affected by ED often avoid intimacy and sex with their partner. Suffering in silence is not a good solution and can make things even worse. Talking about ED isn’t easy and may be embarrassing, but it’s worth the effort and helps to avoid misunderstandings.
Together, you can deal with the issue effectively and discuss the next steps. ED can have many different causes and can also be an indicator of other health problems. Therefore, it is essential that your partner consults a physician. You should encourage and support him in this situation. ED can be treated in many ways. Depending on the cause of the condition, several possible options are available.
