Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction
Shockwave therapy is an effective, pain-free treatment for erectile dysfunction that does not respond to oral medications.
At a glance
- Doctor referral only
- Next-day availability
- Self-Pay Available
What is shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction?
Shockwave therapy is a clinically proven, drug-free, pain-free, non-invasive treatment that involves using a probe to pass low-intensity energy sound waves into tissues to stimulate your own body’s healing mechanism by creation of new blood vessels and initiating an inflammatory response - thus stimulating tissue repair and regeneration, breaking down of micro-plaques in the penis and improvement in blood flow.
Shockwave therapy has emerged as a versatile and increasingly adopted non-invasive modality in medicine. Originally designed for lithotripsy to fragment urinary stones, the scope of shockwave technology has expanded over recent decades, with shockwave therapy now utilized for tissue regeneration, pain alleviation, and blood flow enhancement across multiple specialties. As of late 2025, shockwave therapy has robust clinical applications in urology—particularly erectile dysfunction (ED), Peyronie’s disease (PD), and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).
This procedure is non-invasive and has no down time needed.
During shockwave therapy, a probe is moved slowly and gently over your penis while low-intensity sound waves are passed through the skin and into the penile shaft.
These shock waves help smooth muscle cells enter a repair mode, which helps them to function better and also stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, which helps increase blood flow and allows for a stronger erection.
Shockwave therapy for ED targets the underlying cause of the problem in conjunction with medications such as Viagra and Cialis in a way that’s quick, painless, and discreet.
Shockwave therapy may be an option for you if you have mild erectile dysfunction that has not fully responded to other treatments, such as medications, and you are looking for a safe, effective, non-invasive treatment.
At our state-of-the-art Men’s Health centre, our expert urology and andrology consultants offer the latest treatments for erectile dysfunction, including shockwave therapy.
More information
Shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you can go home as soon as your treatment is complete. Shockwave therapy is painless and non-invasive, so you won’t need an anaesthetic before the procedure. A treatment session normally lasts around 30 minutes.
During shockwave therapy:
You’ll be asked to remove your clothes from the waist down and lie down on the treatment table.
Your consultant will apply a gel to your penis to allow the probe to move around more easily. This may feel cold for a few seconds.
Your consultant will place the probe on your penis and perineal area and move it gently and slowly over your skin. You may feel a mild tapping or tingling sensation, but the procedure is normally painless.
Shockwave therapy is a very safe procedure, and side effects and complications are rare.
However, as with any medical procedure, there‘s a small risk that complications or side effects can occur.
These may include:
Bruising or reddening of the skin around the treatment area but will go away on its own
blood in the urine (haematuria)
Skin infection
painful erections
Your consultant will explain all the potential risks before your procedure and answer any questions you may have.
There’s no special preparation required before shockwave therapy. Tell your consultant about any medical conditions or allergies you have, and any medications you take regularly.
You can eat and drink as normal before your procedure. Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to remove and put back on for your appointment.
There’s no recovery time after shockwave therapy, and you can go home and continue your usual daily activities straight after your procedure.
If you experience any pain or discomfort after your shockwave therapy, an over-the-counter painkiller, such as paracetamol, should help (avoid ibuprofen or any other NSAIDs as this will dampen the effect of the shockwave therapy).
If you have any questions or concerns after your procedure, please contact the clinic for advice.
Our self-pay pricing is as follows:
Price: £350.00 per session
Recommended: 6 sessions
At Welbeck, our men’s health consultants are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
You do not need a referral letter to be considered for shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction, but you do need to have an initial consultation with one of our consultants to ensure you’re suitable for the treatment before you can book.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with a urologist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
This treatment is not currently covered by private insurers, so is only available to self-paying patients.
Our specialists
Professor Asif MuneerConsultant Urological Surgeon & Andrologist
Professor Richard HindleyConsultant Urologist
Mr Rowland ReesConsultant Urological Surgeon and Andrologist
Mr Hussain AlnajjarConsultant Urological Surgeon and Andrologist
Mr Ammar AlanbukiConsultant Urological Surgeon
Mr Varun SadevConsultant Urological Surgeon and Andrologist
Mr Muddassar HussainConsultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon
Our locations
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Frequently asked questions
Shockwave therapy is a relatively new treatment, but research suggests it has a very good success rate for mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.
How long it takes for you to see results from your shockwave therapy varies depending on your age and the severity of your erectile dysfunction. Most men notice an improvement in symptoms in 1 to 3 months.
An initial course of shockwave treatment for ED will consist of 6 sessions with a frequency of twice a week. However, once a week is also clinically appropriate if you cannot commit to a twice a week programme. More sessions could be considered for more chronic conditions - your consultant will discuss this with you on your follow-up appointment.
The results of shock wave therapy can last for up to 2 years, depending on your age, how long you’ve had ED and the severity of your condition. Making healthy lifestyle choices such as following a healthy diet, taking regular exercise, not smoking and limiting alcohol can also affect how long your treatment lasts.