Treatment of erectile dysfunction without medication includes vacuum devices, shockwave therapy, as well as regenerative approaches such as stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This was reported to The Conversation by a researcher from the Department of Sexology at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM).
According to researchers, erectile dysfunction is more often linked not to age itself but to conditions that impair blood flow, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. For a normal erection to occur, blood must flow freely into penile tissue and be retained there, which is why many new treatment approaches focus on restoring this process.
Stem cell therapy involves the injection of cells that may help repair damaged tissues and blood vessels responsible for blood inflow. Platelet-rich plasma therapy, in turn, uses the patient’s own blood: components that stimulate the growth of new blood vessels and improve circulation are extracted and reintroduced.
“Low-intensity shockwave therapy affects tissues using low-energy acoustic waves, which can also stimulate the formation of new blood vessels and enhance the blood flow necessary for an erection,” the researchers explained.
Special attention is also given to vacuum erection devices. These create negative pressure, drawing blood into penile tissue, after which the erection is maintained using a constriction ring. Modern models have become more user-friendly: they are battery-powered, nearly silent, and can be connected to mobile applications.
Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter