Statistically speaking, 50% of all men, have experienced erectile dysfunction (ED) at some time or another, and the chance of developing ED increases as you age. The medical management of ED has evolved greatly over the past several decades.
Prior to the introduction of oral phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5i) such as Viagra, Cialis and related medications, doctors could offer patients one of only two definitive treatments for ED: implantation of penile prosthesis and surgical penile revascularization.
The introduction of Viagra and related oral ED medications have ushered in a new era of non-invasive treatments for erectile dysfunction. While these drugs can be very effective, we know they are not indicated for all men suffering from ED.
An alternative to oral ED medications has been introduced. It is called the GAINSWave™, and it uses high-frequency acoustical waves to treat the root cause of ED. As a man ages, the blood vessels that supply the blood needed for good erectile function, begin to collapse or break down. The pulsating soundwaves of the GAINSWave™ improve blood flow by opening existing blood vessels and stimulating the growth of new blood vessels. Increased blood flow results in improved sexual performance.
Shockwave, or acoustical wave therapy represents the latest in an evolution of alternative treatments to oral ED medications that began with pumps and penial injections.
A New Wave in Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
The GAINSWave uses technology that is known as "Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy," also known as ESWT. The treatments are also sometimes referred to as Linear Shockwave Therapy, or LSWT, or simply "acoustical wave therapy." ESWT has been used for several years for the treatment of conditions ranging from orthopedics to urology.
In the case of ED, the procedure uses high-frequency acoustical waves to open and repair blood vessels in the penis that tend to build up with plaque, or otherwise become compromised over time.
When used to treat vascular related erectile dysfunction, the mechanism of action for the ESWT is induced angiogenesis and neovascularization in the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum. The resulting improvement in blood flow, achieved by the creation of new blood vessels and the rejuvenation of existing vessels, increases the patient's ability to obtain and sustain an erection.
Shockwave Therapy for ED has Been Clinically Proven
In clinical trials, ESWT for ED proved to be effective, even for men that did not respond well to other treatments. A recent study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, found that all of the men in the study treated with shockwave therapy showed improved erectile function. Men in the study who were using Viagra or some other ED medication, achieved significant improvement, and reported that they did not need to use their ED prescription for "several months" after the shockwave treatment.
A similar study, this one published in Therapeutic Advances in Urology, concluded "ESWT is a revolutionary treatment for ED, and probably possesses unprecedented qualities that can rehabilitate erectile tissue. The clinical improvement in erectile function together with the significant improvement in [blood flow] following ESWT confirm that ESWT has unique properties that may create a new standard of care for men with ED."
The technology has been successfully used to treat ED in Europe for 10 years, but it is new to the states. The GAINSWave™ uses the only device that is approved by the FDA to provide ESWT for erectile dysfunction.
As compared to other ED treatments:
- • Acoustical wave therapy for ED is drug-free and surgery free.
- • The treatment takes less than 30 minutes and is pain-free!
- • It is highly effective, with 80% of men reporting positive results.
- • It is ideal for men who cannot take oral ED drugs, such as those with hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes.
- • It can be used as a preventive measure to delay, or actually prevent the onset of age-related erectile dysfunction.
The numbers of men suffering with some form of ED can be truly staggering, with estimates of over 600,000 new cases every year in the US.
Effective treatment for ED can improve your patients' quality of life, self-esteem, and their ability to maintain intimate relationships.