Shockwave Therapy

Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Francisco, CA

A non-invasive, clinically proven treatment that targets the root cause of erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow and restoring natural erectile function.

Mechanism of action

At BeYoungerPrime clinic, we use a focused shock wave system (storz duolith) to deliver evidence-based treatment.

Focused low-intensity shock wave therapy is the evidence-based modality for erectile dysfunction. It delivers energy directly to the corpora cavernosa, helping improve blood flow and vascular function.
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Radial (acoustic) wave devices are superficial and dissipate quickly, limiting
penetration to erectile tissue. A randomized, sham-controlled trial showed no benefit compared with placebo.
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Focused systems such as the Storz Duolith SD1 have randomized, placebo-
controlled clinical data demonstrating improved erectile outcomes in appropriately selected men.
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The clinical evidence for shock wave therapy in ED is based on focused—not radial—technology.

References

Sandoval-Salinas et al., J Sex Med 2022; Chung et al., World J Mens Health 2023;

Olsen et al., Scand J Urol 2015; Lu et al., Eur Urol 2017; Kalyvianakis et al., J Urol 2022; European Association of Urology; American Urological Association.

How it works

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is often caused by reduced blood flow to the penis. One of the most promising non-surgical treatments developed in the last decade is low-intensity shockwave therapy, also called Li-ESWT (Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy).

Unlike medications that temporarily improve erections, shockwave therapy is designed to restore the underlying vascular health of the penis, helping the body regain its natural erectile function.

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy uses low-intensity acoustic energy waves delivered to penile tissue using a specialized medical device.

These sound waves pass through the skin and stimulate biological repair processes within the erectile tissue.

The treatment is:

  • Non-invasive
  • Performed in the clinic
  • Does not require anesthesia
  • Typically takes about 15–20 minutes

How erections normally occur

An erection depends on three main systems working properly:

  • Healthy penile arteries that bring blood into the penis
  • Healthy smooth muscle inside the corpora cavernosa
  • Nitric oxide signaling, which allows blood vessels to relax and expand

When these systems are impaired—most commonly due to aging, vascular disease, diabetes, or lifestyle factors—erections may become weaker or difficult to maintain.

Shockwave therapy works by stimulating repair of the penile blood vessels and surrounding tissue.

How Shockwave Therapy improves erectile function

1. Stimulates New Blood Vessel Formation

Acoustic waves create controlled micro-stimulation in penile tissue, activating the release of growth factors. This encourages angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), improving blood flow during erections.

2. Improves Penile Blood Circulation

Shockwave therapy enhances the function of existing blood vessels and increases nitric oxide signaling. This improves the ability of penile arteries to dilate and fill the erectile chambers.

3. Enhances Smooth Muscle Function

Healthy smooth muscle is necessary to trap blood inside the penis during erection.Shockwave therapy may improve smooth muscle activity and tissue elasticity, supporting stronger erections.

4. Activates Tissue Repair Mechanisms

Shockwave therapy stimulates release of key repair molecules:

  • VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)
  • eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase)
  • Stem cell signaling pathways

These effects help restore erectile tissue health over time.

Who is the best candidate for Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy works best for men with vascular erectile dysfunction, especially in early or moderate stages.

Good candidates include men who:

  • Have mild to moderate ED
  • Have mild to moderate ED
  • Still achieve partial erections
  • Respond to medications like Viagra or Cialis but want a more natural solution
  • ant to improve function without surgery

Men with severe nerve damage, advanced diabetes, or significant fibrosis may have more limited response.

Treatment protocol

Typical protocol:

  • 6–12 treatment sessions
  • 2 treatments per week
  • Over 3–6 weeks

During treatment, a handheld device delivers several thousand pulses of acoustic energy to different areas of the penis. The procedure is well tolerated and requires no downtime.

Success rates

Clinical studies suggest significant improvement in many men with vascular ED:

ED SeverityImprovement Rate
Mild ED70–80%
Moderate ED60–70%
Severe ED30–50%

Many patients report:

  • Improved erection firmness
  • Better sustainability
  • Reduced dependence on medication

Results often continue improving over several months.

Combining Shockwave Therapy with other treatments

Shockwave therapy is often combined with regenerative approaches:

  • PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) – supports tissue repair
  • Peptides (e.g., PT-141) – enhance signaling pathways
  • Cavernosal Botox – improves smooth muscle relaxation

Combination protocols may improve outcomes in more advanced cases.

Safety and side effects

Shockwave therapy is considered very safe. Possible side effects:

  • Mild temporary redness
  • Minor tingling or sensitivity
  • Rare bruising

No known long-term adverse effects.

When do results appear?

  • Initial improvement: 4–8 weeks
  • Optimal results: 2–3 months

This reflects gradual vascular repair and tissue regeneration.

A regenerative approach to erectile health

Shockwave therapy represents a shift from symptom management to restoring erectile physiology.

Early treatment may help slow or reverse progression of ED by improving vascular health.

Medical disclaimer

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Treatment suitability should be determined by a qualified physician.

Below are credible medical references supporting the information in the article on Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy (LiESWT) for Erectile Dysfunction. These are drawn from peer-reviewed journals, urology guidelines, and meta-analyses commonly cited in academic literature.

References

Major Clinical Trials

  1. Vardi Y, Appel B, Kilchevsky A, Gruenwald I.
    Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Study.
    European Urology. 2012;62(5):870–876.
    This landmark randomized study showed significant improvement in erectile function in men with vasculogenic ED.
  2. Kitrey ND, Gruenwald I, Appel B, Shechter A, Massarwi O, Vardi Y.
    Penile Low-Intensity Shock Wave Treatment Is Able to Shift PDE5i Non-Responders to Responders.
    European Urology. 2016;70(3):556–562.
    Demonstrated that shockwave therapy can convert men who previously did not respond to Viagra/Cialis into responders.
  3. Fojecki GL, Tiessen S, Osther PJS.
    Effect of Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy on Erectile Dysfunction: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
    Sexual Medicine. 2017;5(1):e44–e52.

Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews

  1. Lu Z, Lin G, Reed-Maldonado A, Wang C, Lee YC, Lue TF.
    Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment Improves Erectile Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    European Urology. 2017;71(2):223–233.
  2. Dong L, Chang D, Zhang X, et al.
    Effect of Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    American Journal of Men’s Health. 2019;13(2).
  3. Man L, Li G.
    Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Urology. 2018;119:97–103.

Mechanism of Action Studies

  1. Gruenwald I, Appel B, Vardi Y.
    Low-Intensity Shockwave Treatment — A Novel Effective Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction in Severe ED Patients Who Respond Poorly to PDE5 Inhibitors.
    Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2012.
  2. Qiu X, Lin G, Xin Z, et al.
    Effects of Low-Energy Shockwave Therapy on the Erectile Function and Tissue of a Diabetic Rat Model.
    Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2013.

These studies demonstrate:

  • angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation)
  • endothelial repair
  • nitric oxide signaling improvement

Urology Guidelines and Expert Reviews

  1. American Urological Association (AUA) Guidelines on Erectile Dysfunction.
    Burnett AL et al.
    Journal of Urology. 2018.
  2. European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health.
    EAU Guidelines Office, 2023.

Both guidelines recognize shockwave therapy as an investigational but promising treatment for vasculogenic ED.

Review Articles

  1. Clavijo RI, Kohn TP, Kohn JR, Ramasamy R.
    Effects of Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy on Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2017.
  2. Ramasamy R, et al.
    Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: A Review of the Evidence.
    Current Urology Reports. 2019.

Key Findings from the Literature

Across studies:

  • Significant improvement in IIEF-EF scores (International Index of Erectile Function)
  • Best results in vasculogenic ED
  • May convert PDE5 inhibitor non-responders into responders
  • Works through angiogenesis and endothelial repair

Improvement rates in studies commonly range from:

  • 60–80% for mild ED
  • 50–70% for moderate ED

Example Citation for Your Website

Selected References

  • Vardi Y, et al. European Urology. 2012.
  • Lu Z, et al. European Urology. 2017.
  • Kitrey ND, et al. European Urology. 2016.
  • Clavijo RI, et al. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2017.
  • Burnett AL, et al. American Urological Association Guidelines. 2018.