How does vascular surgery help with erectile dysfunction?

May 10, 2025

The Stop Snoring And Sleep Apnea Program™ a well-researched program created to help stop snoring and sleep apnea so that you can have a good night sleep. The techniques that you will learn from this program works immediately. It will only take you 3-7 minutes to perform these simple exercises that the author has recommended but the results that you will get will help you have a good night sleep as soon as tonight. Within a week, snoring will be a thing of the past.


How does vascular surgery help with erectile dysfunction?

Vascular surgery for erectile dysfunction (ED) is usually only recommended if ED is caused by problems with blood flow to the penis. These can be due to arterial insufficiency or venous leakage. These blood flow issues might not enable the penis to receive or maintain an erection, and vascular surgery attempts to correct these issues in a bid to improve erectile function.

Vascular surgery can help with ED in this way:

Types of Vascular Issues That Result in ED
Arterial Insufficiency:

This occurs when there’s insufficient blood flow into the penis due to blockages or narrowing of the arteries. It could be caused by conditions like atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or other vascular diseases, which restrict the amount of blood flowing into the penis during sexual stimulation.

Venous Leakage:

In this case, the veins that drain blood from the penis may not be functioning properly, and they let the blood escape too rapidly, so that it is not possible to sustain the erection. This is generally a problem with the veins that do not close during an erection.

How Vascular Surgery Helps
1. Arterial Bypass Surgery (for Arterial Insufficiency)
Procedure: In the case of arterial insufficiency, a vascular surgeon can perform an arterial bypass operation, where a new route for blood supply to the penis is created. This is done by using blood vessels from other parts of the body (e.g., leg) to bypass the blocked or narrowed arteries.

Goal: To increase blood supply to the penis for a firmer and longer-lasting erection. This operation is generally more effective in younger men (under 50) with localized arterial blockage who are otherwise healthy.

Success Rates: This surgery is generally successful for men who have vascular ED due to arterial problems, even though long-term success may be lower if there are other health factors involved, such as bad diabetes or high blood pressure.

2. Venous Surgery (for Venous Leakage)
Procedure: When the cause of ED is venous leakage, venous ligation or venous stripping can be performed. The procedures involve closing off or removing the leaking veins that cause blood to flow out of the penis at a very early phase.

Objective: The goal is to remove the premature evacuation of blood from an erection and thus improve the ability to maintain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse.

Success Rates: Venous surgery is less successful than arterial bypass surgery, and is less effective than other types of treatment (e.g., penile implants or medication). It is usually reserved for men with localized venous leakage who are not suitable candidates for other treatments.

Candidates for Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgery is usually offered to men who have:

Erectile dysfunction due to vascular issues such as arterial insufficiency or venous leakage.

Unsatisfactory response to other ED treatments, such as oral medications (e.g., sildenafil), injections, or vacuum pumps.

No overriding psychological problems leading to the ED.

Generally good health that would make them surgical and recovery candidates.

Men with advanced diabetes, advanced atherosclerosis, or other significant vascular diseases might not be the best candidates for vascular surgery, as the results might be less reliable.

Risks and Considerations
Surgical Risks: With all surgery, there are risks with vascular surgery, including infection, bleeding, and anesthesia complications. Risks specific to vascular surgery include damage to nearby blood vessels or nerves, which can affect erectile function.

Recovery: Recovery time will vary, but most men will need to take it easy for a few weeks after surgery. Physical activities and sexual activity might be limited during recovery.

Effectiveness: Vascular surgery for ED is less common today since other options, like penile implants or medication, are less invasive and more effective. For some men, however, vascular surgery is an ED treatment that will endure if other efforts are unsuccessful.

Other Treatment Options vs. Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgery is typically considered only when other, less invasive, therapies are ineffective. Some alternatives that may be tried before surgery include:

Oral Medications (such as PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil, tadalafil) act by increasing blood flow to the penis.

Penile Injections and vacuum erection devices (VEDs) may be used for erection induction via increased blood flow.

Penile Implants: Surgery to implant a device into the penis is another option if other treatments fail, particularly if there is an extreme issue with blood flow.

In Summary:
Vascular surgery for erectile dysfunction tries to improve blood flow to the penis by either bypassing blocked arteries (arterial insufficiency) or fixing venous leakage (preventing blood from flowing out too early). Although it may be effective, it is generally kept for some cases of ED because of vascular conditions, especially when other types of treatment have failed. The surgery may have more success in younger, healthier males, although risks and recovery must be carefully considered.

If you think that vascular issues are leading to ED, a consultation with a vascular surgeon or urologist will ascertain if this is the best treatment option. Would you like more information on alternatives or details of the surgery itself?

Shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED), or low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) or acoustic wave therapy, is a novel, non-invasive treatment aimed at enhancing blood flow to the penis. It uses sound waves to create tissue regeneration, increase circulation, and even promote the formation of new blood vessels. The goal is to enhance erectile function by addressing the underlying vascular causes of ED.

How Shockwave Therapy Works
Sound Wave Technology: Shockwave therapy involves the application of low-intensity sound waves, typically through a hand-held device that generates acoustic waves, to the penis.

Stimulating Blood Flow: The sound waves penetrate the skin and tissues, stimulating the endothelial cells in blood vessels, which can enhance blood flow and potentially form new blood vessels (angiogenesis).

Collagen Production: The therapy can also help to stimulate collagen production, promoting the health and elasticity of the tissues of the penis and overall erectile function.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for ED
Non-Invasive: In comparison to medications, injections, or surgery, shockwave therapy does not require the use of any needles or surgery and is therefore a non-invasive therapy.

Improved Blood Flow: Its primary benefit is that it can improve blood flow to the penis and is therefore especially helpful for men with ED that is due to vascular issues, such as reduced blood flow.

Long-Lasting Effects: Some studies suggest that shockwave therapy has long-lasting effects, with improvement in erectile function that can last for several months or longer after a course of treatment.

No Medications or Side Effects: Unlike medications like Viagra or Cialis, shockwave therapy does not have any side effects like headaches, flushing, or even interaction with other medications.

Helps Men with Organic ED: Shockwave therapy will help men with organic ED, where blood flow issues are a major component. It may be less effective in men with ED of psychological causes.

Possibility of Tissue Regeneration: Shockwave therapy, based on some studies, has the ability to regenerate damaged tissues and can also enhance general penile health.

Procedure and Treatment Plan
Duration: The shockwave therapy sessions last approximately 15 to 20 minutes and involve the application of sound waves to the penis through a handheld device.

Frequency: The treatment generally consists of a series of sessions, usually 6 to 12 sessions spanning a course of few weeks, depending on the severity of ED.

Pain-Free: The treatment is usually painless, although some men may feel a mild discomfort during the treatment, especially in the area around sensitive parts.

No Recovery Time: Since it is non-invasive, there is no downtime or recovery time. Patients can generally return to their daily activities immediately following a session.

Effectiveness of Shockwave Therapy
Improvement in Erectile Function: Various clinical studies have shown that shockwave therapy can improve erectile function, particularly in men with vascular ED (in which there is impaired blood flow), diabetes, or age-related decline in erectile function.

Varied Results: The success may vary from person to person. In some men, the effects are immediate, and in others, there is improvement over time. Some studies suggest that gains can be maintained for several months, and in some, occasional maintenance injections are necessary.

Success Rate: Success rates typically range from 60% to 80% of men experiencing some level of improvement in erectile function following a treatment cycle. Response rate, however, can depend on the etiology of ED, disease severity, and overall health of the patient.

Possible Risks and Side Effects
Mild Discomfort: Some men may experience mild discomfort or a sensation of pressure during the treatment, but this improves following the treatment.

Bruising: Bruising or skin irritation at the treated site may occur in a few individuals, but this is not common and resolves quickly.

Temporary Sensitivity: Temporary tenderness or sensitivity at the treated site may occur, but this usually disappears within a day or two.

No Guarantee of Effectiveness: Although gains are recorded in most men, shockwave therapy is not a guaranteed ED cure, especially if the ED cause is psychological or entails extensive nerve damage.

Who is a Good Candidate for Shockwave Therapy?
Vascular ED: Men whose erectile dysfunction has been induced by compromised blood flow due to such issues as vascular disease, diabetes, or aging may be good candidates.

Men who are non-responders to medications: For men who do not respond adequately to oral medications (such as sildenafil or tadalafil), shockwave therapy can be an appropriate choice.

Those who desire a non-invasive treatment: Men who would prefer to avoid medications, injections, or surgery may choose shockwave therapy as a non-invasive treatment.

Limitations of Shockwave Therapy
Not Effective for Psychological ED: Shockwave therapy is less effective for ED caused by psychological factors, such as performance anxiety, stress, or relationship issues.

Not a Cure: Although it can cause dramatic improvement, shockwave therapy does not cure ED, and its effects may wear off after a while, requiring follow-up treatments.

Still Experimental: Although it shows promise, shockwave therapy remains experimental in the eyes of some doctors, and more long-term research needs to be conducted in order to properly assess its long-term effectiveness and safety.

Conclusion
Shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction is a promising non-surgical ED treatment, particularly for men whose ED is vascular in nature. It can make significant improvements in erectile function with the possibility of long-term benefit without surgery or medication. Nevertheless, it is not always successful, and it is not suitable for everyone. Men who are considering shockwave therapy must discuss with a urologist or ED specialist whether or not it is suitable for their individual case.

Would you like to find out more about how to find clinics that offer shockwave therapy or how to think about if it is the ideal choice for you?


The Stop Snoring And Sleep Apnea Program™ a well-researched program created to help stop snoring and sleep apnea so that you can have a good night sleep. The techniques that you will learn from this program works immediately. It will only take you 3-7 minutes to perform these simple exercises that the author has recommended but the results that you will get will help you have a good night sleep as soon as tonight. Within a week, snoring will be a thing of the past.