Services for Erectile Dysfunction
2024/05/15
Extra-Corporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a new non-invasive treatment for certain types of erectile dysfunctions that are vasculogenic (i.e., caused by poor blood flow). A probe is positioned over different areas of the penis to deliver low-intensity shockwaves, stimulating the growth of new blood vessels, thereby allowing more spontaneous and harder erections. Each treatment session usually lasts around 30 minutes, and a response may need six to 12 sessions, usually once a week.
This involves placing the penis in a plastic cylinder and creating a vacuum around it to encourage blood flow. Once the penis is sufficiently erect, a ring is placed at its base to maintain the blood in the penis. However, ejaculation is not possible as the ring compresses the urethra.
This medication can be injected into the penis to induce an erection. The doctor may prescribe this if response to oral medications is sub-optimal. Patients will be instructed on how to self-administer the injection, with the first injection conducted in the clinic under the supervision of a doctor or specialist nurse.
Some side effects include:
- Pain
- Bruising
- Painful prolonged erection of more than 4 - 6 hours (priapism) even after intercourse – this requires emergency intervention
If all other treatments prove ineffective, surgery may be considered to implant a penile prosthesis. Options include semi-rigid malleable rods or inflatable cylinders that can be pumped up to achieve an erection as required.
Some complications may include:
- Pain
- Erosion
- Infection, which may require another procedure to remove the implant
- Failure of pump system
