New Erectile Dysfunction Cure: Shockwaves

Sure, Viagra works, but you’ve got to keep taking it. In the quest for a more permanent solution, Israeli scientists have hit upon an unusual idea: shockwaves. The application of low-energy waves to the penis helped men for at least 3 months. The treatment is intended for those whose issues stem from cardiovascular problems, which accounts for the vast majority of ED patients.

“When they stop the medication, they cannot function,” one of the researchers tells LiveScience. “With shockwaves, we can do something biological for the problem.” Scientists hit on the idea in experiments with animals, where they saw that shockwaves encouraged the growth of new blood vessels. Fifteen of 20 men in a study showed improvement, and a bigger study is now in the works. (More erectile dysfunction stories.)