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Extra Caporal Shockwave Treatment plus Regenerative Medicine and Treating a Male Sexual Dysfunction: An update

Male sexual dysfunction is an increasing modern life condition with more than 40% of men being affected as age of 40. This is further complicated by the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the sedentary lifestyle. This has led to ever increasing incidence of atherosclerosis hyperlipidemia and type two diabetes.

Natural Cures for Erectile Dysfunction

In addition to the importance of the emphasis on improving the lifestyle measures and treating a male sexual dysfunction(Mainly in the form of exercise stopping smoking minimizing the alcohol intake and adopting healthy diet), Other medications seem to help Though on a temporary basis.

Recently there has been increasing interest and more permanent and as close to natural as possible solutions for male sexual dysfunction. Below are some of them:

Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

LiESWT:Shockwave therapy was introduced since the early 80s with the first experience being targeted towards kidney stones. However, recently, studies have shown that microtrauma and used by shockwaves would lead to an acute inflammatory reaction of the effect of tissues with the resultant stimulation of the healing process towards normality.

This would theoretically stimulate the growth and development of small blood vessels with the resultant increase blood flow to the affected area. This has been adopted and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and other several musculoskeletal conditions.

Urology, being at the forefront of other specialties, has adopted this method and treating various mail conditions including Peyronie’s disease and Erectile dysfunction.

Although shockwave treatment as monotherapy has now been adopted at the Urology guidelines its results are marginally encouraging With an estimated success rate of around 70%. The treatment is fairly simple considering 2 to 3 weekly attendances is at the clinic with a 15-minute session per visit for up to six weeks and the results are expected between three and six months

Platelet-rich plasma cells

Another recently adopted treatment for a variety of medical conditions mainly cosmetic with the principle of using the patients’ own fluids after being purified, keeping the platelets and other essential growth factors and nutrients and possibly Stem Cells, to help regenerating and repairing the damage tissues.

While this method is widely adopted in various clinical conditions, its effectiveness in treating erectile dysfunction is yet to be determined

Whilst there are several animal studies a demonstrating the improvements of the erectile tissue following PRP treatment there are no human trials supporting the above.

Stem cell therapy:

Stem cells are “toti-potential” and their nature with the ability to grow and regenerate and eventually specialize into functional sells according to the organ they are being introduced to

There are few but reliable human studies mainly in treating men with erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy with the stem cell therapy and the results are very encouraging with more than 80% success in terms of improving erections and penetration until orgasm. However, the number of participants in these trials as very limited.

Stem Cells and LiESWT combined:

The aim of injecting the Stem Cells is to direct them into the targeted area with the aim of repairing and regenerating cells and resultant improvement of the function of that organ.

Stem Cells, however, need guidance to go to the affected area. There are several animal studies demonstrating and using microtrauma to the target in the organs followed by injection of Stem Cells with the resultant of higher concentration of those cells to go to the affected tissue.

Hence, logically, by combining low intensity ESWT and stem cell therapy at the same time might improve the delivery of the stem cells and the two methods would yield more encouraging results in treating erectile dysfunction.

Ongoing studies regarding the above are being carried out and the results are anxiously awaited

Stem Cell Therapy in Male Sexual Dysfunction:

Erectile dysfunction is becoming a common urological problem affecting men worldwide, with almost 40% of men at and above the age of 40 years being affected by the disease, at various levels.

Whilst there are several conservative and interventional treatments for erectile dysfunction, they would treat but not cure the disease.

What is Stem cells

Stem cells exist as undifferentiated cells. They are present in the embryonic and adult stages of life and are considered as a source for differentiated cells that make up the building blocks of tissue and organs.

Due to their abundant source and high differentiation potential, stem cells are considered as potential new therapeutic agents for various medical conditions.

Recently, there has been a vested interest to investigate their use in male sexual dysfunction.

Stem Cell Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction

According to the European Association of Urology’s latest press release, new clinical trial results demonstrated the ability of stem cells to restore sufficient erectile function to allow previously impotent men to have spontaneous intercourse. This is the first time stem cell therapy has produced patients who have recovered sufficient erectile function to enable intercourse.

In recent years several groups have worked to develop stem cell therapy as a cure for erectile dysfunction. None of the male participants reported significant side effects over the trial period, or in the following year. Within 6 months of the treatment, 8 out of the 21 patients reported that they had recovered sufficient erectile function to achieve penetrative) sexual activity. This improvement has been maintained for a year, indicating that this treatment may confer long-term benefits.

Stem Cell Therapy Results

Results presented at the European Association of Urology conference in London show that 8 out of 21 have successfully regained sexual function.

We use stem cells taken from abdominal fat cells via liposuction (under local anesthetic as an office-based procedure). After isolating the stem cells, they were injected into the corpus cavernosum area of the penis. The patients are able to be discharged the same day.

Is stem cell therapy for ED Safe

This treatment is suitable for men seeking to improve their sexual performance without taking medication and/or any other external treatment, also the patient with Diabetes, Hypertension, and other diseases can benefit from this safe treatment.

Some patients might feel the benefit immediately after the treatment, but the majority will feel gradual improvement over the next 2 to 3 months, with the maximum effects achieved at 6 months.