A new treatment for erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease and Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain.

LISWT is a novel technique where a small probe is placed against the penis and/or pelvic area and sound waves are applied for approximately 5 minutes. The treatment is performed in the office without the need for anesthesia. Treatment typically involves 2-6 sessions and aims to stimulate neovascularization, improving penile blood flow and cellular function.

LISWT has also been used for Peyronie’s disease (curvature of the penis) and men with chronic pelvic pain and prostatitis. Given the current information with clinical series globally and in the United States, it appears to be a safe treatment. The treatment is currently not FDA approved for these particular indications, and is not currently covered by insurance.

The existing treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED) that have been used in clinical practice for many years include:

  1. Oral medications (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Stendra)
  2. Urethral Suppositories (Alprostadil)
  3. Vacuum Erection Devices
  4. Penile injection therapy (trimix, caverject, edex)
  5. Surgery (Placement of an inflatable penile prosthesis)

The advantage of LISWT includes improvement of erectile function without the need for medication or "on-demand" interventions. Possible side effects include bleeding, infection, pain (short term or permanent), vascular injury, urethral injury or stricture (scar tissue in the urinary channel), and worsening erectile function.

Patients with chronic pelvic pain are typically treated with antibiotics, alpha-blockers and anti-inflammatories. Some patients do not respond to this therapy and their bothersome symptoms continue. LISWT for these patients can improve their symptoms by augmenting blood supply, decreasing inflammation, and improving pain.

To obtain more information regarding this new treatment option, please contact the office or use our secure form to request additional information.

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References:

Low-intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment Improves Erectile Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Lu Z, Lin G, Reed-Maldonado A. Eur Urol 2017 Feb;71(2):223-233.

Efficacy of Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave therapy on men with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome refractory to 3-As therapy. Guu SJ, Geng J, Lee Y. Am J Mens Health 2018 Mar 12(2):441-452

Penile Low-Intensity Shock Wave Therapy: A Promising Novel Modality for Erectile Dysfunction. Abu-Ghanem Y, Kitrey N, Gruenwald I. Korean J Urol 2014 May; 55(5): 295–299. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4026654/

Comparison of the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and a vacuum erectile device on penile erectile dysfunction: a randomized clinical trial https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5682793/

Role of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in management of Peyronie’s disease https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5100144/

Long term efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for treatment of refractory abacterial prostatitis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5237771/