Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment Options
Understanding Erecticle Dysfunction (ED)
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common medical condition defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. Clinical guidelines from the European Association of Urology (EAU) define ED as symptoms lasting for at least six months.
ED affects men of all ages and may be associated with vascular disease, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, neurological conditions, psychological stress, medication side effects, or lifestyle factors.
Importantly, ED may be an early indicator of cardiovascular or metabolic disease. Evaluation by a licensed healthcare professional is strongly recommended.
Self-Assessment:
Could Erectile Dysfunction Be Affecting You?
The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) is a validated screening questionnaire
frequently used in clinical practice.
This short assessment does not replace medical diagnosis but may help determine
whether consultation with a qualified urologist is advisable.
TREATMENT METHODS
MEDICATION-BASED TREATMENTS
Well-known therapies such as PDE5 inhibitors, apomorphine or impotence injections are often associated with side effects⁷.
NON-MEDICATION-BASED TREATMENTS
Compared to more invasive methods such as penile prosthesis implantation or the use of a vacuum erection device, low-intensity shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment option that is generally well tolerated⁸.
NATURAL ED RELIEF WITH
INNOVATIVE SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) represents an innovative and proven method for treating erectile dysfunction, as measured¹⁴ by International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Erection Hardness Score (EHS). This therapy leads to a significant improvement in erectile function, enabling patients to regain sexual spontaneity, which in turn restores their overall quality of life. The effectiveness of shockwave therapy is based on addressing the primary cause of erectile dysfunction: reduced blood flow to the penile tissue.
SIMPLE
TREATMENT
Shockwave therapy is a gentle and effective treatment option for patients with urogenital conditions.
NON-
INVASIVE
Shockwave therapy is generally pain-free and requires no anesthesia. To date, no significant side effects have been observed.
SCIENTFICALLY
SUPPORTED
The effectiveness of shockwave therapy has been demonstrated in numerous clinical studies. These studies¹⁵ show that improvement in erectile function can last for at least two years after treatment.
RESTORES
NATURAL ERECTIONS
By stimulating the body’s own production of growth factors and promoting the formation of new blood vessels, shockwaves facilitate the development of natural erection.
WHAT ARE SHOCKWAVES?
Shockwaves¹⁶ are high-energy acoustic pulses characterized by rapid pressure changes. In medical applications, controlled shockwaves are used to stimulate tissue repair and vascular regeneration.
They have been applied in urology, orthopedics, wound care, and rehabilitation medicine.¹⁷
HOW DO THE TREATMENT WORKS?
And how effective are they?
Shockwave therapy harnesses the biological effects¹⁷ of acoustic waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes at both the cellular and vascular levels. It promotes the formation of new blood vessels (neovascularization), enhances local blood flow and triggers the release of angiogenic growth factors such as VEGF. Preclinical and clinical studies also indicate that shockwaves may stimulate the migration of stem cells to the treated area, further supporting tissue regeneration and vascular repair.
These combined effects contribute to a sustained improvement¹⁸ in erectile function by targeting one of the primary causes of erectile dysfunction: reduced penile blood flow. As a result, many patients report the restoration of sexual spontaneity and a significant improvement in quality of life.
Shockwave therapy is considered a safe¹⁹ and well-tolerated treatment option, particularly for patients who do not respond to phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil). It is performed on an outpatient basis, does not require anesthesia, and is typically described as pain-free. To date²⁰, no serious adverse effects have been reported in clinical studies.
HOW IS THE
DEVICE DESIGNED?
Currently, there are several companies worldwide offering shockwave therapy systems. The key difference lies in their medical effectiveness and how thoroughly their technical development has been evaluated through scientific research.
With the urogold100 therapy system, MTS Medical provides a clinically tested, non-invasive LI-ESWT treatment option for erectile dysfunction (ED) and other urogenital conditions that are both safe and designed for long-term effectiveness.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT SHOCKWAVE TREATMENT
Click on any question below to learn more.
SHOCKWAVE THERAPY EXPLANED:
EXPERT OPINIONS ON SPARK WAVE
References
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European Association of Urology. (2022). Management of Erectile Dysfunction. In Sexual and Reproductive Health Guidelines (Chapter 5). Uroweb. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://uroweb.org/guidelines/sexual-and-reproductive-health-2022/chapter/management-of-erectile-dysfunction
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Kouidrat, Y., Pizzol, D., Cosco, T., Thompson, T., Carnaghi, M., Bertoldo, A., Solmi, M., Stubbs, B., & Veronese, N. (2017). High prevalence of erectile dysfunction in diabetes: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of 145 studies. Diabetic Medicine, 34(9), 1185–1192. https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.13403
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Zenoozian, S., Bayat, F., Soltani, A., Mirloo, M. M., & Kharaghani, R. (2024). The prevalence of sexual problems in the divorced population and the prevalence of separation in populations with sexual problems: A meta‑analysis. International Journal of Impotence Research, 37, 347–355. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-024-00918-2
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Brock, G. (2002). Oral agents: first‑line therapy for erectile dysfunction. European Urology Supplements, 1(4), 30–35.
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2024). Treatment for erectile dysfunction. In Health Information | Urologic Diseases | Erectile Dysfunction. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/treatment
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Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Apomorphine (Apokyn) injection: uses & side effects. In Health Library – Drugs, Devices & Supplements. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19850-apomorphine-injection
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2024, October). Treatment for erectile dysfunction. In Health Information: Urologic Diseases → Erectile Dysfunction. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health‑information/urologic‑diseases/erectile‑dysfunction/treatment
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Cavayero, C. T., Leslie, S. W., & McIntosh, G. V. (2025, January). Penile prosthesis implantation. In StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563292/
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Kouidrat, Y., Pizzol, D., Cosco, T., Thompson, T., Carnaghi, M., Bertoldo, A., Solmi, M., Stubbs, B., & Veronese, N. (2017). High prevalence of erectile dysfunction in diabetes: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of 145 studies. Diabetic Medicine, 34(9), 1185–1192. https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.13403
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Vardi, Y., Appel, B., Kilchevsky, A., & Gruenwald, I. (2012). Does low intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy have a physiological effect on erectile function? Short‑term results of a randomized, double‑blind, sham‑controlled study. The Journal of Urology, 187(5), 1769–1775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.12.117
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