Treatment guide
Evidence status: EmergingShockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction (EdSWT)
What is EdSWT?
EdSWT (erectile dysfunction shockwave therapy), also called Li-ESWT, applies low-intensity shockwaves to the penis. It is aimed mainly at vasculogenic (blood-flow related) ED. It is non-invasive, with no injection. Careful patient selection matters, because it is not a treatment for every cause of ED.
Key fact: The 2026 EAU guideline reports a mild average improvement from low-intensity shockwave therapy and gives a weak recommendation for selected men with vasculogenic ED. (European Association of Urology, 2026; page updated )
At UZ Clinic Antalya, shockwave therapy is offered after assessment, with a defined protocol and a doctor who checks whether it fits your ED type.
Private & confidential enquiry. You do not need to call.
Key takeaways
- Intended primarily for vasculogenic ED. Patient selection is important.
- Clinic protocol: 12 sessions with 18,000 shock waves in total.
- The 2026 EAU guideline reports a mild average improvement from low-intensity shockwave therapy and gives a weak recommendation for selected men with vasculogenic ED.
Who shockwave therapy may help
Vasculogenic ED
ED mainly caused by reduced blood flow. This is the group studied most.
Learn more →Blood-flow related ED
Men with risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, where assessment suggests a blood-flow pattern.
Partial responders to tablets
Men who respond only partly to PDE5 inhibitors (for example sildenafil or tadalafil). The doctor first checks that tablets were used correctly.
Men who prefer to avoid injections
Some men want a non-invasive option. Guidelines refer to well-informed men who do not want or cannot take oral therapy.
Who may be less suitable
ED with another main cause
Mainly psychological, hormonal, drug-related or nerve-related ED may respond less. These are checked first.
Severe ED
The evidence is stronger for mild vasculogenic ED. Benefit in severe disease is less certain.
Unclear diagnosis
If the cause has not been assessed, treatment can be premature. A proper evaluation comes first.
Other medical reasons
The doctor screens for conditions that make treatment unsuitable for you.
Diagnostic assessment and penile Doppler
Because shockwave therapy is aimed at blood-flow related ED, assessing blood flow is useful. Penile Doppler ultrasound can show how well blood enters and stays in the penis. The doctor decides whether you need it.
Doppler results can also show whether a venous leak is likely, which affects what is realistic.
The clinic's treatment protocol
Device: Omnispec ED1000. The clinic's current protocol is:
Block 1: 6 sessions
2 to 3 sessions per week, with 1,500 shocks per session.
3-week interval
A planned break between the two blocks.
Block 2: 6 further sessions
Again 2 to 3 sessions per week, with 1,500 shocks per session.
Total
12 sessions and 18,000 shock waves. Protocols can be adjusted by the doctor.
Clinical evidence
The 2026 EAU guideline reports a mild average improvement from low-intensity shockwave therapy and gives a weak recommendation for selected men with vasculogenic ED. Protocols and devices vary between studies, and long-term benefit is uncertain. Focused or linear low-intensity devices used in ED trials should not be confused with radial pressure-wave devices.
No treatment can be guaranteed to work for every man, and suitability and expected benefit vary between patients.
Shockwave compared with other options
The most appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause of ED.
| Treatment | Typical candidate | Invasiveness | Number of sessions | Recovery | Primary treatment concept | Clinical assessment required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P-Shot (PRP) | Selected men with organic ED after assessment | Minimally invasive (injection) | Protocol varies; confirmed at assessment | Usually short; instructions given by the clinician | Injected platelet-rich plasma, proposed to support tissue repair | Yes |
| Shockwave / EdSWT | Vasculogenic ED; some partial responders to tablets | Non-invasive (no injection) | Clinic protocol: 12 sessions over about 2 to 3 months | No downtime expected for most men; confirmed by the clinic | Low-intensity shockwaves, proposed to support blood-flow pathways | Yes |
| Stem Cell | Selected men when established options were unsuitable or ineffective | Minimally invasive; may involve cell collection | Individualised; explained at assessment | Depends on the procedure; confirmed by the clinic | Cell-based preparation, proposed to support tissue repair | Yes |
| Exosome | Men asking about an investigational option | Minimally invasive if offered | Not established; confirmed only if offered | Confirmed if offered | Cell-derived vesicles, proposed to support repair signalling | Yes |
| PDE5 medication (e.g. sildenafil, tadalafil) | Many men with ED, unless contraindicated (for example with nitrates) | Non-invasive (tablet) | Ongoing, as needed or daily depending on the medicine | None | Increases the blood-flow response to sexual stimulation | Yes (prescription, with a health check) |
| Penile injections (e.g. alprostadil) | Men for whom tablets are unsuitable or ineffective | Self-injection after training | As needed before sex | None | Medicine injected into the penis to produce an erection | Yes (training and dose setting) |
| Penile implant | Severe or refractory ED after other options | Surgical | One operation | Surgical recovery; instructions given by the surgeon | A device placed in the penis that allows an erection | Yes (surgical assessment) |
A guide for discussion with your urologist, not a ranking or recommendation. Regenerative therapies are experimental or investigational for ED.
P-Shot vs shockwave, and combinations
Shockwave is non-invasive and mainly for vasculogenic ED. P-Shot is an injection and is experimental. Some clinics combine them, but there is not enough high-quality evidence to say a combination is better, so it is treated as investigational. The doctor discusses whether any combination is appropriate for you.
Your physician
Dr. Niyazi Umut Özdemir
Urological Surgeon, UZ Clinic Antalya
Responsible for assessment and treatment planning at the clinic, with a clinical focus on male sexual health and penile rehabilitation.
Rated 4.5 on Google (47 reviews, as of 2 Oct 2026)Qualifications
- • Medical education at Ege University
- • Specialisation in urology
- • Turkish Association of Urology board certification
- • Clinical practice in Antalya, Turkey
Clinical focus
- • Erectile dysfunction assessment and treatment planning
- • Penile rehabilitation
- • Vasculogenic (blood-flow related) erectile dysfunction
- • Shockwave therapy, PRP and regenerative approaches
Education and roles
- • Ege University Faculty of Medicine (2000); urology specialisation, Ege University (2005)
- • Head of the Antalya branch, CİSED
Professional memberships
- • Turkish Urological Association
- • Society of Urological Surgery (Ürolojik Cerrahi Derneği)
- • European Association of Urology (EAU)
- • Turkish Andrology Association
- • Aegean Urological Association (Ege Üroloji Derneği)
- • Ankara Urologists Association
Ask the urologist about your case
Send your history and the clinic will advise which options may be relevant. Suitability is decided after medical assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Is shockwave therapy painful?
It is generally described as well tolerated, and no injection is involved. Experiences differ, and the clinic explains what to expect.
How many sessions are needed?
The clinic protocol is 12 sessions: 6, a 3-week interval, then 6 more, with 1,500 shocks per session.
Is the result permanent?
No permanent result can be promised. Benefit, when it occurs, varies between patients, and long-term evidence is limited.
Does shockwave work for all ED?
No. It is intended primarily for vasculogenic ED, which is why assessment and patient selection matter.
Can I use shockwave with my tablets?
Some men continue tablets during treatment. The doctor advises on your medicines and does not expect you to change them yourself.
Sources
- EAU Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health: Management of Erectile DysfunctionEuropean Association of Urology, 2026 · Guideline
- Erectile Dysfunction: AUA GuidelineAmerican Urological Association, 2018 · Guideline
Related guides
Send your case for confidential review
You do not need to know which treatment you need. Share a few details and the clinic can advise which options may be relevant to your case.
- 1. Send your caseAbout 2 minutes, private.
- 2. Coordinator contacts youBy WhatsApp, phone or email.
- 3. Doctor assessmentThe urologist decides suitability.
Private & confidential enquiry. You do not need to call.
This page provides general information and does not diagnose ED or decide whether a treatment is suitable for you. Suitability and expected benefit vary between patients and are decided after medical assessment. Treatments described as experimental or investigational are discussed with full informed consent. Seek urgent care for chest pain, new neurological symptoms, penile injury or an erection lasting more than four hours.