Shock Wave Treatment - Therapy ( ESWT )

  • Home
  • Shock Wave Treatment - Therapy ( ESWT )

ESWT, which stands for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, is commonly preferred in urological problems and emerges as an important option. This method, once used for breaking kidney stones in the past, is now also utilized in low doses for painful musculoskeletal conditions.

What is Shockwave Therapy in Urology?

Shockwave therapy, or ESWT, involves the application of high-frequency and pressurized waves to the affected area through a steel-tipped applicator outside the body. In urology, shockwave therapy is most frequently used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in recent times. Additionally, ESWT is quite beneficial for conditions such as prostatitis and penile curvature in men, as well as vaginal dryness and urinary incontinence in women.

How is Shockwave ESWT Treatment Administered?

Shockwave therapy is administered by sending waves to five different points on the penis using a gel. Pain is not experienced during the procedure; only a mild tingling sensation may be felt. Each session of shockwave therapy lasts approximately 15-20 minutes. A total of 6-24 sessions are administered, and there can be a break of 1-7 days between each session.

Advantages of Shockwave Therapy ESWT

  • ESWT therapy is painless,
  • ESWT therapy does not require hospitalization and yields quick results,
  • After ESWT treatment, there may be slight redness, but there are no other side effects,
  • Patients can return to their daily lives after treatment,
  • In some patients, improvements can be seen within 1 week after the first session of ESWT, but the average healing process generally begins after 1 month,
  • There is no age limit for the application,
  • No anesthesia is required for the procedure.

Features of Shockwave ESWT Treatment Method

The goal of shockwave therapy is to alleviate pain with shockwaves in the treatment of Peyronie's disease. It reduces plaque development and ensures the softening of this plaque. One of the important features of shockwave therapy is that it does not have side effects compared to other treatment options. Another important feature is the ability to return to normal life quickly. Patients who do not feel pain during treatment can achieve permanent solutions. Each session lasts for 20 minutes.

Areas Where Shockwave ESWT Treatment Is Applied

Shockwave ESWT therapy is used in the treatment of erectile problems in men. Research has shown that ESWT is also quite beneficial in diseases such as prostatitis and penile curvature in men and conditions like vaginal dryness and urinary incontinence in women.

ESWT Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

In patients with erectile problems, a treatment consisting of 6-18 sessions, each lasting 20 minutes, is applied to support vascular formation in different parts of the penis and solve erectile problems. Patients can continue with their daily lives after the application. Shockwave therapy helps us achieve very satisfactory results in such patients. These complaints are more common in men over 40 years old, but the incidence has also increased in patients under 40 years old in recent times. If you have erectile problems, you should definitely consult a specialist doctor in the field of urology/andrology.

ESWT in Chronic Prostatitis: Shockwave therapy provides successful results in the treatment of prostatitis. Healthy tissues are preserved in the affected areas of the prostate through shockwave therapy. Increased growth release occurs within the prostate due to microtrauma. Tissue damage caused by prostatitis is corrected.

ESWT in Peyronie's Disease: Peyronie's disease, also known as penile curvature, is important to diagnose during the early stages when penile curvature has not yet settled for the treatment to be effective. Men who experience pain in the penis during an erection should definitely seek consultation with a specialist physician. After determining the diagnosis and stage, a personalized treatment is established for the individual.

Who Are Not Suitable Candidates for ESWT Treatment?

If erectile problems are caused by hormonal reasons, ESWT may not yield positive results in patients. ESWT is not applied to individuals with systemic infections or those using a pacemaker.

How is ESWT Applied in Peyronie's Disease?

Peyronie's disease involves calcification and hardening in the layer that surrounds the structures responsible for erection in the penis. In addition, patients experience pain during an erection. The disease has two stages, acute and chronic. These are divided into acute and chronic stages. Pain is not experienced in the chronic stage. The acute stage lasts for 1 year. Effective medical methods can be applied during the acute period of Peyronie's disease. In the chronic period, surgery can be considered depending on the patient's condition. If patients also have an erection problem, a penile prosthesis may be suitable in addition to treatment.

What Problems Can Be Resolved with ESWT?

In patients in the chronic stage, improvements can be seen in their complaints after ESWT. These can be listed as follows:

  • Sexual problems improve,
  • Urinary problems may improve,
  • Quality of life improves.

How Does ESWT Affect Chronic Prostatitis?

In cases of chronic prostatitis, ESWT application provides improvement. These improvements can be listed as follows:

  • It reduces muscle contractions,
  • It reduces pain by affecting pain receptors,
  • It blocks the flow of nerve signals, eliminating pain,
  • It reduces oxidative stress in prostate tissue.

ESWT Treatment in Chronic Prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate. Patients with this condition experience urinary complaints, groin pain, and premature ejaculation. ESWT is administered 1 or 2 times a week for 6-18 sessions. Approximately 1500-3000 shockwaves are applied in each session. During the procedure, the patient lies on their back, and the application is made between the scrotum and anus.

How Many Sessions of ESWT Are Applied to the Penis?

An evaluation is made considering the patient's complaints and condition. Applications are made between 6-18 sessions. Generally, up to 3 sessions per week can be applied.