What Is Erectile Failure?
Erectile failure can be defined as a man being inadequate in sexual intercourse and the penis lacking sufficient rigidity for intercourse. Erectile failure starts to show itself in men over the age of 40. Although we do have younger patients (venous leak, psychological causes, the wish for more performance), the main age of presentation is after 40.
Today, as a result of the rush of life, the psychological pressure brought by the pandemic and lack of physical activity, erectile problems are beginning in men.
What is ESWT / shockwave therapy for erectile problems?
ESWT / shockwave therapy is a treatment for erectile failure that has become popular in recent years and has no side effects. It works on the principle of regenerating the underperforming or non-functioning tissues in the penis thanks to therapeutic waves generated by a special device. The first device produced works with electrohydraulic technology: there is water inside the head that touches the penis, and thanks to the energy a wave is created with this water to regenerate the penile tissue and form new vessels. Because the device was very noisy and the chance of success was not at the desired level, the so-called second-generation electromagnetic technology was developed. Although electromagnetic technology was successful, because it did not deliver energy to all the tissues of the penis — in other words, it acted only at specific points — the third-generation PIEZO2 wave energy was developed.
Who is ESWT suitable for?
ESWT can be offered as a first-line treatment for men with erectile dysfunction. All men who experience softening of the penis at the first stage of erection and cannot achieve a healthy erection are suitable for this treatment. Young patients who are psychologically affected and have recently experienced erectile failure, people who have lost penile rigidity due to diabetes, or men who simply want healthier erections can turn to this treatment.
How is ESWT applied?
The number of ESWT sessions is determined in parallel with the degree of the patient's erectile failure and can vary between 6 and 12 sessions. This treatment, planned as 2 sessions a week, takes about 15 minutes. A special gel is applied to the penile area of the patient lying on the couch. The special head of the device is then brought into contact with all areas of the penis so that the therapeutic waves reach the penile tissue.
Thanks to the latest-model German-technology devices we use in our clinic, there is no pain and patients receive the session very comfortably.
How effective is ESWT? Is it lasting?
After ESWT treatment, new vessel formation is achieved in the penile tissue. As a result the penile tissue becomes healthier and, because it can hold more blood, erectile failure disappears. After the ESWT sessions end, the effect lasts about 2 years on average. But if the patient looks after their health, exercises, does not gain weight and keeps diabetes well controlled, the effect can last much longer.
For ESWT treatment to be lasting, the patient needs to have a check-up once a year, keep their blood hormones balanced and live healthily, because like all the organs of the body the penis also ages.
My advice to my patients is to have themselves checked at least once a year after treatment and to protect their current health. In this way the results of ESWT treatment can continue for a very long time.
In which other areas of urology is ESWT used?
In urology, shockwaves can also be used in the treatment of kidney stones. But the intensity of the waves used for kidney stones is higher and they are applied with special devices.
In which situations is ESWT an appropriate treatment?
ESWT can be used in ALL MEN with erectile dysfunction, SAFELY, WITHOUT SIDE EFFECTS AND WITH HIGH SUCCESS RATES.
Is ESWT suitable for patients who do not benefit from medication?
As a first option for erectile failure, patients use oral medications. Because these drugs have to be taken every day, and because of possible side effects, patients look for a treatment method that can be permanent. After a certain time the drugs also stop working. At this point patients can turn to ESWT treatment.
Which ESWT technology is used at the AndroFert Clinic?
With PIEZO2 wave energy, waves can be delivered to 100% of the penis, achieving success in 87% of patients. This technology, which has no pain or side effects, has begun to be used in leading clinics around the world.
This technology, developed by the German company WOLF and called PIEZO WAVE2, was brought to the AndroFert clinic in 2021. With the 2021 and 2022 devices, our patients receive SHOCKWAVE THERAPY (ESWT) sessions with the latest technology.
