Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the in-ability to achieve and maintain a penile erection adequate for satisfactory sexual intercourse. ED is affecting almost 50% of men in the 40-70 year age range. ED is generally considered as a manifesta-tion of a functional and/or structural abnormality affecting the penile circulation. The current treat-ment modalities in the management of ED mainly consist of oral pharmocotherapy, intracavernosal injections and implantation of penile prosthesis. In recent years, new therapeutic strategies as low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) have been estableshed for the treatment of ED. LI-ESWT induces cellular microtrauma, which in turn stimulates the release of angiogenic factors and subsequent neovascularization of the treated tissue. Animal studies have shown that LI-ESWT significantly improves penile hemodynam-ics and restores pathological changes in the penis. Recent studies have reported that LI-ESWT could partially restore corpus cavernosum fibromuscular pathological changes, endothelial dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy.
In this review, the history, the effect mecha-nisms, in vitro and animal studies and the clinical use in ED of LI-ESWT were reviewed with cur-rent literature.
Key Words: Erectile dysfunction, therapy, low-intensity extracorporeal shock waves
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the in-ability to achieve and maintain a penile erection adequate for satisfactory sexual intercourse. ED is affecting almost 50% of men in the 40-70 year age range. ED is generally considered as a manifesta-tion of a functional and/or structural abnormality affecting the penile circulation. The current treat-ment modalities in the management of ED mainly consist of oral pharmocotherapy, intracavernosal injections and implantation of penile prosthesis. In recent years, new therapeutic strategies as low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) have been estableshed for the treatment of ED. LI-ESWT induces cellular microtrauma, which in turn stimulates the release of angiogenic factors and subsequent neovascularization of the treated tissue. Animal studies have shown that LI-ESWT significantly improves penile hemodynam-ics and restores pathological changes in the penis. Recent studies have reported that LI-ESWT could partially restore corpus cavernosum fibromuscular pathological changes, endothelial dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy.
In this review, the history, the effect mecha-nisms, in vitro and animal studies and the clinical use in ED of LI-ESWT were reviewed with cur-rent literature.
Key Words: Erectile dysfunction, therapy, low-intensity extracorporeal shock waves