What are the Latest Advancements in Erectile Dysfunction Technology?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common and occurs in men (around 30 million in the U.S.) resulting in issues getting and keeping an erection. ED can occur because of physical, hormonal, or psychological reasons, which means there are many ways to treat it. (Rojanasarot et al., 2023)

Currently, the accepted treatments for ED involve:

• Lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise, sleep, stress modifications)
• Oral medications like Viagra or Cialis,
• Treatments for psychological conditions like anxiety and depression,
• Vacuum erection devices,
• Intracavernous injection therapy,
• Penile implants

Technology Under Investigation

The term technology, when it comes to medicine, does not always mean high-tech computer software or bionic limbs. Sometimes, it can be as simple as injections or a new form of medication. Currently, some newer therapies or technologies are being studied, but most are not yet recommended by major medical societies like the American Urological Association (AUA), who make guidelines for all urologists in the US, or the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA), the largest sexual medicine society in North America. This is because there is not enough evidence yet to recommend these therapies as safe and effective for patients.

Below is a list of some new technologies on the rise:

Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) is a treatment that involves applying focused but low-intensity shockwaves to a specific area on the body. The shockwaves penetrate the deep tissue of the penis, causing what is considered a microtrauma. This trauma helps to “wake up” the blood vessels, which can increase blood flow to the penis and help with erections down the line.

Previously, Li-ESWT was used to treat kidney stones and other muscle and bone conditions with success. However, there are fewer studies on the effectiveness of this therapy for ED.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy (LIPUS) is similar to Li-ESWT in that thermal energy targets a specific area. However, LIPUS uses ultrasound pulses to regulate tissue repair through increases in collagen, elastin, and muscle content – all of which are needed for successful erections.

Traditionally, this technology is used to help repair bone breaks, but some trials have shown some mild success with ED. While this therapy is sometimes recommended overseas, it is not currently used in the US.

Stem cell therapy has helped heal bone and skin grafts, as well as blood cancers and autoimmune diseases. It involves taking healthy stem cells (usually through bone marrow) from one part of the body and moving them to another part of the body. While recommended by the AUA for experimental use only, there has been a rising interest in stem cell therapy for ED in the past decade.

There is not enough scientific data on stem cell therapy for ED to truly know its effect and success, but this may be offered as an experimental treatment option under a clinical trial.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) takes the patient’s own blood and separates out the PRP to inject back into injured tissues. Traditionally, this has been used in the bone and muscle area of medicine, but several clinical trials have been conducted on humans for ED treatment; each of these has had varying levels of success.

There is currently not enough data to prove PRP as effective for ED treatment on its own. Some providers may offer this treatment as an add-on to others, or in an experimental way.

Eroxon is a new ED medication in the form of gel applied to the head of the penis, creating a warming and cooling effect that can create an erection in around 30 minutes. This treatment has very recently been approved by the FDA and may be a suitable alternative to oral medications like Viagra or Cialis.

Key Takeaways

• ED care is constantly evolving.
• Beyond the basics of lifestyle modifications, psychological therapy, oral meds, penile injections, personal devices, and surgery, there is no readily available option.
• While most of these new technologies are not currently recommended for regular use, it may be beneficial to ask a sexual health professional about options for experimental use or clinical trials for new technologies like these.

Resources:

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Erectile Dysfunction: AUA Guideline (2018). Erectile dysfunction (ED) guideline - american urological association. (n.d.). https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/erectile-dysfunction-(ed)-guideline

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Rojanasarot, S., Williams, A. O., Edwards, N., & Khera, M. (2023). Quantifying the number of US men with erectile dysfunction who are potential candidates for penile prosthesis implantation. Sexual Medicine, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/sexmed/qfad010

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