Erectile Dysfunction Program | Shockwave Therapy
29 November 2023 2024-06-27 15:46Erectile Dysfunction Program | Shockwave Therapy
Erectile Dysfunction Program | Shockwave Therapy
Our Approach to Shockwave Therapy for ED
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an uncomfortable topic for most men and their partners. ED is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. It is a common condition, affecting more than half of men over 40 and now recognized to affect up to 30% of men younger than 40 years old.
We understand that ED can have a significant effect on a man’s confidence, his self-esteem, and his relationships. To add to this challenge, the overwhelming range of new treatments offered by different types of practitioners ultimately results in only 10% of men seeking medical advice or treatment.
ED is treatable at any age. Importantly, ED can be associated with significant medical conditions and you should be evaluated by a medical specialist who will perform a full Men’s Health evaluation and provide an evidence-based discussion of individual treatment options.
What We Offer You With Shockwave Therapy For Erectile Dysfunction?
State-of-the-art Health Canada approved technology
Compassionate care for each person
Rapid access to safe and discrete expert medical care
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
About Erectile Dysfunction
What causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Achieving and maintaining an erection is a complicated multi-system process that can be affected by:
- Aging and diseases that affect blood vessels, nerves, or hormones.
- Medications that affect your mood or blood flow.
- Injury, surgery, or radiation treatments to the pelvis (ie. prostate, colorectal, bladder cancer surgery or radiation)
- Neurologic disease or spinal cord injury
- Lifestyle habits, including smoking and drug or alcohol misuse.
Emotional stress from depression, anxiety, or relationship problems.
Conditions Treated Erectile Dysfunction
How is Erectile Dysfunction treated?
- Health and lifestyle changes
- Counselling
- Medications to include Sildenafil, Tadalafil and Vardenafil are a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.
- Male hormone replacement (testosterone)
- Penile injections
- Vacuum device
- Surgery including penile prosthesis.
Risks of Erectile Dysfunction
What are the risk factors for ED?
- Risk factors associated with ED include advancing age, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking.
- Research suggests that ED and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases share the same risk factor profile. ED may serve as an early warning sign for cardiac disease and stroke.
What to Expect with Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy
Shockwave therapy (Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy or Li-SWT) is a non-invasive treatment using low intensity focused shockwaves applied to the penis. Mechanisms of action includes angiogenesis (stimulation of new blood vessel growth), tissue repair, and nerve regeneration thereby improving penile blood flow and erectile function. Treatment goals include natural, longer lasting, and stronger erections.
Originally introduced in 1960s, Shockwave therapy has many medical applications to include kidney stones fragmentation, orthopaedics, and more recently over the last decade treatment for ED. Shockwave Therapy is Health Canada approved for Erectile Dysfunction, Chronic Pelvic Pain, and pain associated with Peyronie’s Disease.
This treatment is not covered by OHIP.
Before the Procedure:
- There is no preparation is required in advance of treatment. You can drive to and from your treatment session.
During the Procedure:
- During the procedure, your practitioner will use a handheld probe to administer low-intensity focused shockwaves to different areas of the penis. A gel is used as an interface to conduct the shock pulses. Treatment is delivered with the DUOLITHâ SD1 Ultra Focused Shockwave device by Storz Medical (Switzerland).
- An anesthetic is not required, you may experience a slight tingling sensation in the treatment area.
- Each treatment session applies a set amount of shocks per minute for a fixed amount of time. Each session will last 15 minutes for an average of 6 treatments. If you experience discomfort, over the counter medications (such as Acetaminophen) may be used.
After the Procedure:
- The patient can drive before and after treatment. Post procedure discomfort can be managed with Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen as needed.
What are the possible risks of Shockwave Therapy?
Clinical studies have demonstrated that Shockwave therapy is a safe procedure with virtually no short-term adverse effects reported. Some very rare and mild side effects include:
- Mild pain or bruising at the site
- Mild bruising, numbness, or tingling on and around the penis.
How effective is treatment?
In most patients, results may be observed as early as 1-3 months. Over 50% of patient had a sustained response at least 2 years after therapy. Continued lifestyle and dietary changes are important to maintain ongoing treatment benefits. Generally, no further treatment sessions are needed after a treatment cycle however additional treatments may be performed four weeks after the treatment cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What are the symptoms of ED?
Symptoms for ED may include:
- getting an erection, but it not lasting long enough for sex
- getting a partial erection that is not firm enough to have sex
- not being able to get an erection at all
What are lifestyle changes that encourage vascular heath and improvement in erectile function?
Improve your eating habits (like eating more plant-based foods, and limiting high-fat or processed foods)
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Stop smoking
- Increase exercise
- Limit drugs and alcohol
- Sleep more (ideally 7-8 hours per night)
Your doctor may suggest adjusting the prescribed drugs you take. Please do not stop or change prescription drugs without first talking to your healthcare provider
What are the most common side effects of PDE-5 inhibitors?
The most common side effects are mild and just last a short time:
- Facial flushing
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Muscle aches
- Stuffy nose
Who should not take PDE-5 inhibitors for ED?
If you are taking nitrates for your heart, you SHOULD NOT take any PDE-5 inhibitors. Always speak with your healthcare provider before using a PDE-5 inhibitor to learn how it might affect your health. Always use these drugs as directed.
What is testosterone therapy?
A treatment where medicine is given for low testosterone levels in the blood (and other symptoms). Testosterone therapy is given by a shot, pill, gel (through the nose), pellets under the skin, or with a cream, patch or gel on the skin. It may be combined with ED drugs (PDE-5 inhibitors) to help with erections.
What is penile injection therapy?
If oral drugs don’t work, the drug Alprostadil is approved for use in men with ED. This drug can be given through an injection in the penis (intracavernosal injection or “ICI”). Or, it can be given through a medicated pellet placed in the urethra (called intraurethral or “IU therapy”).
What are the risks of penile injection therapy?
The most common side effect of ICI (and IU therapy) is a prolonged erection, called priapism. Priapism is an erection that lasts longer than four hours. It is painful and damages penile tissues. Patients experiencing priapism should go to an Emergency Room for treatment. Reversing priapism requires the removal of trapped blood in the penis, plus the injection of a reversal agent. Men must be carefully monitored during priapism reversal, and may need surgical help. Priapism causes varying degrees of deep tissue penile damage (fibrosis). Penile fibrosis will worsen ED, or cause complete ED. Men using ICI who have penile erections that last longer than two to four hours should seek Emergency Room care.
REFERENCES and Shockwave Therapy Additional Information：
https://patients.uroweb.org/treatments/shockwave-therapy-ed/
https://www.storzmedical.com/en/disciplines/literature-cpps-ipp-ed
https://www.storzmedical.com/en/disciplines/literature-database-blog/database-cpps-ipp-ed
REFERENCES
- Mulhall JP, Luo X, Zou KH et al: Relationship between age and erectile dysfunction diagnosis or treatment using real-world observational data in the USA. Int J Clin Pract 2016 ; 70: 1012.
- Shahinyan RH, Amighi A, Carey AN et al: Direct-to-consumer internet prescription platforms overlook crucial pathology found during traditional office evaluation of young men with erectile dysfunction. Urology 2020 ; 143: 165.
- Epifanova MV, Gvasalia BR, Durashov MA et al: Platelet-rich plasma therapy for male sexual dysfunction: myth or reality?Sex Med Rev 2020 ; 8: 106.
Our Centre
We offer a central location north of Toronto, conveniently located near Hwy 7 and Hwy 404 in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Treatments and consultations are performed on an outpatient basis in a new private, modern clinic setting with easy-to-access free underground/ surface parking with direct access by VIVA public transit or car. We are adjacent to hotel facilities (Sheraton Parkway Toronto, Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott, and Hilton Garden Inn) for our out-of-town patients and their families.
Our center is also fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Address
- 550 Hwy 7 Unit 317, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3Z4
Hours
- Mon-Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM
English (Canada) 
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