Ultrasound Wave Therapy for ED: Make it a Valentine’s Day Gift to Yourself

By: Brooke Edwards, M.D.

Is a satisfying love life sweeter than sugar? With Valentine’s Day candy sales at nearly $3.4 billion, and the market for erectile dysfunction drugs north of $3.6 billion, it’s worth reconsidering what the perfect Valentine’s gift might be.

It also is worth reconsidering if a little blue pill is still the right solution for you. 30 million or so experience occasional or long-term erectile dysfunction, or ED. Interestingly, this year Valentine’s Day happens to also be National Impotence Day, an annual campaign designed to encourage open discussion about erectile dysfunction and sexual health.

For men with ED who prefer not to take a pill or for whom a pill might no longer be effective, take heart: There are alternate treatments. Pumps, injections, surgical implants, and a long-term therapy called low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT).

What is shockwave therapy?

Despite its shocking name, low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) is not painful. It is an is an FDA-approved technology that uses energy waves to improve blood flow to the penis, the lack of which is an underlying cause of most erectile dysfunction. The therapy is typically given in six quick 15-minute treatments.

The Urology Group introduced the treatment in our Norwood facility in 2021. One major factor in our decision is that research has shown 50% of men with ED discontinue treatments, and up to 75% never receive or fill their prescriptions, leaving them at a loss for long-term help.

If you’re kicking around the idea of a new solution for your ED, here are five factors that can help determine if ultrasound wave therapy is a good match for you (or someone you know):

• This isn’t going to hurt. Wave therapy is administered through a probe that delivers low-intensity waves that give a light tapping sensation. These energy waves stimulate new blood vessel growth, therefore improving blood flow to and through the penis. There are no needles, no cutting, no surgery; the patient doesn’t even need a topical anesthesia.
• There’s no awkward waiting after treatment. While ED medications need some time to take effect (up to an hour), this treatment’s results are immediate, making spontaneous intimacy possible. Further, the full course of the therapy can take less than a month – as little as two or three weeks.
• It’s fast and get-up-and-go easy. Ultrasound wave therapy is delivered in a relaxing, private suite in our Norwood location, with each of the six sessions clocking in at just about 15 minutes; short enough to fit inside a lunch break or even before or after work. And that’s all in – there’s no need to rest or recover afterward.
• It lasts longer than flowers – and the little blue pill. Patients in clinical studies have shown positive results from LiSWT therapy for up to two years after the procedure.
• You can put a (reasonable) price on it. While the LiSWT treatment is not covered by insurance, a reimbursement from a health savings account (HSA) may be available. The Urology Group offers this therapy at a much lower costs than many other Tristate providers, with the added benefit of being seen in a practice of qualified urologists.

XXOO: Here’s What Our Patients Say

Since we introduced ultrasound wave therapy at The Urology Group, our staff has performed the treatment on hundreds of men. Here’s what some of them said:

“Staff made me feel at ease in an awkward situation. Great results from the procedure.”

“Very well satisfied. Room was comfortable and private, and staff was professional. Results were better than expected!”

“Easy and pleasant treatment. Could tell a difference around treatment #4.”

“Would recommend to other men with this problem.”

“Treatments were painless and I have seen improvement in achieving and maintaining an erection.”

Send Shock Waves Through the Bedroom

In 2022, people spent $2.3 billion on Valentine’s Day flowers. Some may have put rose petals on their beds. It’s a romantic gesture that sets the stage for an intimate encounter, so don’t leave your No. 1 fan waiting.

Take the next step toward a free, virtual consultation to learn more about the procedure and see if you’re a candidate. Click here to learn more and to request your consultation.

To learn more about the causes and symptoms of erectile dysfunction, visit our dedicated we page.