Erectile dysfunction (ED) is recognized as a common problem and an important public health issue. ED is defined as the inability to develop and maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual performance or sexual intercourse. Approximately 40% of men aged 40 and nearly 70% of men aged 70 are affected by ED. In general, sexual dysfunction, including erectile disorder, affects older men. These older men also tend to report low sexual desire. It is not clear if the report of low sexual desire is solely due to age or if it is a result of the erectile dysfunction. ED is also more likely to occur in men in poor physical and emotional health.
The Erectile Hardness Score (EHS) is a simple, reliable and valid tool that scores erection hardness on a four-point scale. A study including over 7,700 men with an average age of 39 years old revealed a significant age-dependent decrease in Erectile Hardness Score (EHS), sexual confidence, and frequency of sexual activities. Sexual confidence was strongly associated with higher EHS but was also associated with older age groups, presence of offspring, awareness of better general health, and greater frequency of sexual activity.
Lower EHS (defined as EHS ≤ 2) risk was found in men who were heavy smokers (more than two packs per day) or men who had a history of metabolic syndrome, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus. This finding confirms the importance of assessing the full health history of men seeking medical help for their ED and for instituting lifestyle and nutritional changes as warranted, to control and improve blood pressure, blood sugars, lipid levels, facilitate smoking cessation as well as provide stress management strategies.
More and more randomized controlled studies and meta-analysis of worldwide research data are concluding that low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT), also called Acoustic Wave Therapy (AWT), leads to statistically significant improvements in the Erectile Function and Erectile Hardness scores of men with ED. Li-ESWT was shown to stimulate nerve regeneration, induce tissue remodeling, improve penile blood vessel lining as well as improve the micronutrient environment for better erectile function. Specifically, men in the studies reported therapeutic efficacy at an average of 6 weeks of therapy.
For men in whom success was initially achieved after their specific AWT treatment course, which depends on the severity of ED, treatment efficacy was maintained after 2 years in half of the patients. Men with milder forms of erectile dysfunction without diabetes had a 76% chance that the beneficial effects of AWT treatment would still be present after 2 years. Men with severe erectile dysfunction lost the effect of their AWT treatments within two years, especially if they also had diabetes, if they did not receive additional, maintenance treatments after their initial treatment course.
Any man who is looking for improved sexual performance or erectile function can benefit from Acoustic Wave Therapy (AWT), aka GAINSWave Therapy for ED, at SkinMD Seattle. Additionally, if you have tried and not achieved optimal results using Viagra, Cialis or other erectile dysfunction medications, AWT may be the ideal option for you. We invite you to visit SkinMD Seattle for a consultation with our physician.
To schedule a GAINSWave/AWT treatment for erectile dysfunction or Peyronie’s Disease (PD) consultation, call 206.202.8619 or email us. Details of your treatments, including limitations, benefits, adjunctive therapies and maintenance procedures specific to you, will be explained during your consultation with Dr. Balogun and her team.
References: Kimura et al. Sexual Medicine Journal and Kitrey et al. Journal of Urology
