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There is something super exciting bubbling in the world of data, research, and scientific tests: electro-hydraulic shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction and pelvic pain!

Say, what? Can shockwave treatment help erectile dysfunction or pain in my penis?

Dr. Rachel Rubin is my guest on this episode of In Your Pants! A urologist and one of only a handful of doctors fellowship-trained in male and female sexual health (this knowledge and expertise is not as common as you think!). She practices in Washington, DC, and is an active educator through professional networks and social media.

Connect with Dr. Rubin: on Twitter, Instagram, and her website: www.intimMedicine.com

Tune in to our chat about:

• Commonly used medications by urologists and their impact on male sexual health (like Viagra, Cialis, Flomax, Tamsulosin, Finasteride, and injections)

• Low-intensity shockwave therapy for ED, PE, and pelvic pain

• Dr. Rubin’s involvement in the first clinical trial on shockwave therapy in the US

• So much more!

Dr. Rubin is doing some exciting research and is going to be part of the first placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trials for electro hydraulic shockwave therapy with an electro hydraulic shockwave machine from Germany. The study will go beyond how the participants feel after treatment and will also utilize ultrasounds and stress tests to the penis to see if the blood flow has improved and if scar tissue has decreased. This is very exciting technology that the team is cautiously studying. Unlike Viagra, Cialis, injections, or penile implants that are bandaids working around the problem, electro-hydraulic shockwave therapy works at the source. Spoiler alert: you can tell Dr. Rubin is ultra-jazzed about this new tech for men’s health!

Before you go Googling “shockwave treatment for ed” there are many different shockwave machines with technology that varies greatly from machine to machine. There are machines in chiropractic offices and machines in veterinary hospitals, machines that cause damage to bring in the activated healing response and machines that work on a longer timespan for stem cell activation. Lots of other variables too that we just don’t have time to get into here.

With everything, there are always risks, and there are risks and complications with shockwave treatment for ed and pain. As you put together a plan of action for your concerns “down below,” find a team of health professionals that you trust and that have extensive knowledge in genital health and sexual function: you are planning for the future here!

Nothing is benign when you are applying it as a change to your health, just like your thumbprint, your penis is unique to you and deserves a unique and individualized approach so that you can get back to feeling like you again. It is very important to seek out advice from health professionals who take the time to understand your body and your needs, who will take your quality of life into consideration for treatment options, and who will weigh the risk-benefit option with each treatment option.

When doctor appointments rarely last more than 10 minutes, important pieces of the puzzle get shuffled under the table and into corners, like understanding how medications and treatment can impact your sexual health. It can be frustrating after putting in hours or work, piece by piece, to find that half of the puzzle pieces are missing.

We don’t need to put the puzzle back in the dusty box, and we don’t need to go out and buy a new one. Many primary care doctors, physical therapists, and specialists like urologists and gastroenterologists help from afar with telehealth and telemedicine. If you don’t know where to get started, I receive questions all the time asking me for recommendations for a urologist or a GI who specializes in penis pain: and I’m happy to help connect you with expert doctors in your area or online that I trust. Reach out and let’s see what we can do.

This information is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding treatment, medications/supplements, or any medical diagnoses. This information is intended for educational purposes only and is in no way to substitute the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.