Understanding the effectiveness of Focused Shockwave Therapy for advanced Erectile Dysfunction treatment in East London.
Updated: Oct 20
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a widespread issue that impacts millions of men globally. This condition is generally caused by physiological issues (especially for men over the age of 50) and can in turn lead to a man suffering with emotional and psychological stress and anxiety as a result.
Over the last few years, an innovative treatment that is gaining huge popularity for the treatment of vasculogenic ED, is Focused Shockwave Therapy offered at our private, dedicated clinic in Highams Park, East London.
In this article, we are going to go into more depth on how Shockwave Therapy can potentially help the millions of men who are suffering with ED in the UK. We will look into its effectiveness, the process, potential side effects, and the overall impact on a man's health.
If you'd like to explore options alongside advice from your GP, read on.
What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Shockwave therapy?
Shockwave Therapy - particularly Focused Shockwave therapy, uses sound waves, and is thought to work by encouraging blood flow. It was first used for musculoskeletal conditions (MSK) such as tendonitis, and is now also being studied for erectile dysfunction.
Shockwave therapy for ED involves sending low-intensity sound waves directly into the penile tissue. This non-invasive treatment is thought to encourage the growth of new small blood vessels, which may help blood circulation to the penis. Most men feel only mild discomfort during treatment.
Research suggests Li-ESWT may give a small improvement for some men with vasculogenic ED, but the evidence is low certainty and results vary. ED can sometimes be an early sign of heart disease or diabetes, so we'll ask about your general health at your assessment. Please don't stop or change any medicine without speaking to your doctor.
How does Shockwave Therapy work for Erectile Dysfunction?
Shockwave Therapy works on the process where the body has a natural ability to heal itself. The sound waves initiate a healing response in the penile tissue, which may help erectile function in some men. Shockwave therapy helps with:
Mechanical stimulus: Shockwaves create small micro traumas within the penile tissue, which in turn initiates a biological inflammatory healing processes.
Increased blood flow: This enhanced blood flow works alongside structural changes to increase blood availability during sexual arousal.
Improved tissue health: Shockwave encourages the creation of new blood vessels and the repair of older damaged ones that are not working optimally, which may help the health of erectile tissue.
The benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction.
Shockwave therapy is one option some men with ED consider. Here's what's involved:
Non-invasive treatment
Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive procedure. Only sound waves are used during ED Shockwave sessions and no invasive procedures such as injections are needed. Treatment sessions last about 20 to 25 minutes. Patients do not generally need any downtime after the treatment, allowing them to resume their normal activities as usual.
Side effects are usually mild
Side effects reported in studies are usually mild and short-lived, such as temporary discomfort or bruising. Some men feel mild discomfort during treatment.
What the research shows
Studies have mostly looked at men with mild to moderate vasculogenic ED. Any improvement is likely to be small, there's little long-term data, and results vary. A healthy lifestyle matters too, and we'll talk about this at your assessment.
Before starting a course of ED Shockwave treatment therapy, you should have an ED assessment with Rich, to determine you are a good candidate for proceeding to the ED Shockwave course of six sessions. This is done for two main reasons.
The first is to evaluate your lifestyle, such as diet, medical health conditions, exercise levels and medication for example. We want to make sure everything is as should be.
The second reason is to determine how severe your ED symptoms are and whether shockwave is likely to be suitable for you.
Every conversation is confidential.
Your confidentiality is taken very seriously by ED Shockwave professionals in the world of Men's pelvic health issues and nobody would even know what you would be having treatment for.
What to expect during your ED Shockwave treatment?
The treatment protocol.
For most men, suffering with mild to moderate ED, a typical treatment plan would generally require six sessions, over a three week period (two sessions per week). Each session lasts about 20 to 25 minutes, so it's easy to fit around work.
Patient experience.
During the treatment, patients are comfortably positioned on their back and the men's health practitioner will use a Focused Shockwave handheld device to deliver the acoustic waves to the appropriate areas of the penis. Many describe the sensation as a mild pressure or tingling, and most men find it comfortable. Tell us at any point if you'd like us to adjust it.
Who can benefit from ED Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy is most suitable for men who are suffering with mild to moderate vasculogenic ED. Most research has involved men with mild to moderate vasculogenic ED.
The majority of men seen in clinic for Erectile Dysfunction are predominantly over 45 years old but, we do on occasions also see younger men in clinic from time to time as well.
There's less research in men with severe ED. If this applies to you, we'll talk honestly about whether shockwave is worth considering.
Potential side effects of ED Shockwave Therapy.
As with any medical treatment, Shockwave Therapy can pose potential side effects. These side effects are usually mild and short-lived, and can include;
Discomfort or pain: Some patients could report a mild discomfort during and right after the procedure.
Bruising or swelling: Temporary bruising or swelling may occur in the treated area but this is very unlikely and not normally reported back.
Numbness: A brief feeling of numbness may follow treatment sessions but yet again very rare and unlikely.
These side effects are generally very short-lived, with most patients able to go back to their normal activities straight away after their treatment session for ED.
Research and evidence supporting Shockwave Therapy
We use a Storz Medical focused shockwave device.
A number of studies have looked at shockwave for ED. A meta-analysis in the Journal of Sexual Medicine looked at changes in erectile function scores in men who had shockwave therapy compared with men who had a sham treatment.
Shockwave therapy for ED: what do studies measure as 'success'?
Studies of focused low-intensity shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) for vasculogenic ED usually compare treated men with a sham (placebo) group. They measure changes in erectile function scores, such as the IIEF-5, over one to twelve months. Results differ between studies and between men, and the group studied most is men with mild to moderate vasculogenic ED. At a private assessment we'll explain what the research covers and what's realistic for you.
The scores studies use
IIEF-5 and the IIEF erectile function domain. These are short questionnaires about erections over the past four weeks. Higher scores mean better erectile function. The IIEF-5 was developed as a quick way to measure how severe ED is. You can download the IIEF-5 questionnaire here. Please bring it to your assessment rather than emailing it.
Erectile Hardness Scale (EHS). A simple 1 to 4 rating of firmness.
Sham comparison. The better trials give one group a sham treatment that looks and feels similar. That lets researchers tell how much of the change comes from the treatment itself.
What the reviews found
A 2025 Cochrane review of 21 sham-controlled trials found that low-intensity shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) may lead to a small improvement in erectile function scores in the short term, although the change may be too small for many men to notice. A smaller number of studies suggest it may help over a longer period. The reviewers rated the certainty of all this evidence as low, partly because of how the trials were run, and noted that several were funded by device makers. So we can't say how well it will work for any individual man. We'll talk through what's realistic at your assessment.
Earlier meta-analyses in the Journal of Sexual Medicine and the International Journal of Impotence Research also measured changes in IIEF scores against sham treatment.
The European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines include low-intensity shockwave therapy, with or without ED tablets, as a possible option for men with mild ED caused by blood-flow problems. They also list it for men who can't take or don't want ED tablets, and for men with blood-flow-related ED whose tablets haven't worked well enough. This is a weak recommendation. The guidelines describe the improvement as mild, and say results are hard to compare because devices and treatment protocols differ between studies. The EAU recommends lifestyle changes and prescribed ED tablets as the usual first steps. We'll ask about your general health at your assessment. Please don't stop or change any medicine without speaking to your doctor.
Your general health matters.
ED can sometimes be an early sign of heart disease or diabetes, so we'll ask about your general health at your assessment. Shockwave isn't a replacement for a health check with your GP. Please don't stop or change any medicine without speaking to your doctor. The NHS has more on erection problems. Results vary from person to person, and we can't promise a particular outcome.
Find out more on our ED treatment page.
Exploring the future of Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction.
As research progresses, the potential for Shockwave Therapy is set to expand, especially with increasing understanding of the underlying mechanisms.
Shockwave therapy and medication work in different ways, and some men use both. Don't stop or change any prescribed medicine without talking to your GP.
Combining Shockwave Therapy with other types of treatments.
Some men use shockwave therapy for ED alongside other approaches. For example, lifestyle changes - such as improving a man's diet, increasing the amount of cardiovascular exercise and even potentially visiting a psychological counsellor to discuss the issues a man has been suffering from (such as a very high stress lifestyle) - can be part of looking after your sexual health, alongside advice from your GP.
This should be taken seriously by patients suffering with ED and not overlooked if they are serious about benefitting from the Shockwave treatment for the long term.
Key considerations before starting treatment.
Your general health: you can book with us directly. ED can sometimes be an early sign of heart disease or diabetes, so we'll ask about your general health at your assessment.
Realistic expectations: Patients should have realistic expectations for ED Shockwave treatment, recognising that outcomes vary from person to person, and some men notice little or no change.
Aftercare and follow-up: Follow-up appointments if necessary and maintaining the healthcare advice given at the consultation session are crucial to maintain progress after the course of treatment is completed.
The way forward for game changing and non-invasive ED Shockwave Therapy.
Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction is a newer approach to ED that's still being researched. Focused shockwave is one option some men consider, alongside advice from their GP.
As research on ED keeps advancing, men suffering with Erectile Dysfunction can anticipate a bright future concerning treatment alternatives that are more readily available on the market.
Pairing medical interventions with lifestyle improvements and open conversations about sexual health can enhance one's well-being, quality of their sex life and also their overall quality of life in general.
Watch the short informative video from Storz Medical on how ED Shockwave Therapy could potentially help men suffering from the frustration of vasculogenic Erectile Dysfunction.
You can download the IIEF-5 questionnaire here. Please bring it to your assessment rather than emailing it.
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