Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy: What Is It and How Does It Treat ED?

What Is Erectile Dysfunction and What Causes It

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) refers to the inability or difficulty to get or maintain an erection, even when aroused. ED occurs when there is an insufficient amount of blood flowing to the penis, when the penis is unable to trap the blood and produce an erection, or when the brain is unable to send signals and reach the penis.

Symptoms of erectile dysfunction include:

• Trouble getting an erection
• Not being able to keep the erection for long
• Experiencing a reduced desire for sexual activities

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by either physical factors or psychological factors. In most cases of erectile dysfunction, both factors can come into play.

Physical causes of erectile dysfunction can include health issues like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction can be caused by conditions like stress, anxiety, depression and feeling too nervous to perform.

Read More: 5 Possible Causes of ED in Young Men

What Is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy and How It Works

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-frequency sound waves to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels and improve blood flow to the penis. During the treatment, a wand-like device is placed on the penis and high-frequency sound waves are applied to the area.

How Does Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Help Treat Erectile Dysfunction

ESWT is believed to work by stimulating the body's natural healing processes. The high-frequency sound waves used in ESWT stimulate the growth of new blood vessels and improve blood flow to the penis. This can help to improve erectile function and reduce symptoms of ED.

ESWT has been shown to be effective in treating ED caused by poor blood flow to the penis. It has also been shown to be effective in treating ED caused by Peyronie's disease, a condition that causes scar tissue to form in the penis, leading to curvature and pain during erections.

What Happens During An Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Session

ESWT is a non-invasive treatment that typically takes about 20 minutes to complete. During the treatment, the patient may feel a tingling or numbing sensation in the treated area. There is no need for anesthesia or sedation, and patients can resume their normal activities immediately after the treatment.

Patients typically receive a series of ESWT treatments over the course of several weeks. The number of treatments can vary depending on the severity of the patient's ED and their individual response to the treatment.

Alternative ED Treatments Available In Singapore

Here are some of the most common ED treatments available in Singapore:

1. Prescription Oral Medication

An effective ED treatment for many men, oral medication like Viagra, Cialis or Tadalafil are often prescribed as a first line of treatment.

These medications are known as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors).They help to restrict the enzyme PDE5 which degrades cGMP, a molecule that relaxes the muscle tissues in the body. By inhibiting PDE5, these ED medications are able to relax the muscles present in the blood vessel walls. This ultimately leads to an improved blood flow where you need it most; your penis.

Contrary to popular belief, ED medication like Viagra, Cialis or Tadalafil won't magically increase your sex drive or cause you to get random erection after you take it. They will still need you to be aroused in order for you to get hard. Thankfully for most healthy men, taking ED medication will help make getting an erection a much easier task.

It is possible that these ED medication can cause mild side effects like:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Chest Pains
• Flushing
• Indigestion
• Nasal Congestion

Unfortunately, you will not be able to purchase any oral ED medication over-counter-counter. You will need to see a doctor for a prescription.

2. Penile Injections

If prescription ED medication is not working or unsuitable for you, there are alprostadil injections that can be administered directly into the penis. These injections work by expanding your blood vessels, which increases the blood flow to your penis.

These penile injections can quickly produce an erection, which can then last up to an hour.

It is possible that penile injections can cause side effects like prolonged erection, mild bleeding, and in rare cases, the formation of fibrous tissues at and around the injection site.

3. Penile Implants

If other ED treatments are found not to be effective, penile implants might be recommended by your doctor. This ED treatment involves surgically inserting a small tube on both sides of your penis. These tubes can then be pumped with air to help erect your penis.

4. Suppositories

Alprostadil urethral suppository involves inserting a small alprostadil suppository into the tip of your penis. The medication gets absorbed by the urethral wall, which then produces an erection that can last up to an hour.

Alprostadil urethral suppository can cause side effects like pain, burning sensation in the penis, and minor bleeding.

5. Vacuum Restriction Devices (Penis Pump)

Vacuum restriction devices (also known as a penis pump) can be prescribed to treat ED. A hollow tube is placed over the penis and then connected to a pump (either operated by hand or battery).

The pumping will draw blood towards the penis due to the pressure created by the vacuum. When a tension rubber ring is placed around the base of the penis, the penis pump can produce an erection that lasts up to 30 minutes.

6. Talk Therapy

While ED medication like Sildenafil Citrate or Tadalafil works to address the physiological causes of ED, they will not be able to treat your depression, anxiety or stress.

Some methods to help psychological issues, including psychological causes of ED, include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which is facilitated by a therapist. If not, some relaxation methods that you can try at home include breathing exercises, meditation and guided imagery, which may help to relieve some symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression.