Zapping the penis with sound waves could tackle erectile dysfunction, a study suggests.
Scientists tested the relatively new treatment alongside a standard pill on a group of men struggling with impotence.
They found six sessions of up to 2,400 pulses of acoustic energy to the penis gave significantly better results than the pill alone.
It is believed to work by stimulating the growth of new nerve fibres and blood vessels, restoring penis function.
The intense vibrations to the shaft during the 20-minute sessions are not painful, according to the researchers.
Shockwaves fired through the penis could be used to treat erectile dysfunction
Paolo Verze, of University of Naples Federico II, Italy, said low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LiESWT) is a ‘promising’ therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED).
The 156 study participants all had type 2 diabetes, as ED is a common problem often with more severity among those with diabetes.
It can stem from damage to nerves and blood vessels caused by poor long-term blood sugar control.
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In the study, patients took a daily pill of tadalafil, 레비트라구입 branded Cialis, a standard treatment for ED, for 12 weeks.
However, half of them also had LiESWT twice a week for three weeks at the beginning of the study.
The severity of participants’ erectile dysfunction was measured using the 5-Item International Index of Erectile Function test.