Shockwave Therapy (Li-ESWT)
Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) applies focused acoustic pulses to penile tissue and is being studied as a treatment for vascular erectile dysfunction.
Of the four procedures we offer at 15 on Orange, shockwave has the most published research behind it. It is non-invasive, needs no anaesthetic, and a session takes about 20 minutes.
How it works
A handheld probe delivers low-intensity acoustic pulses to mapped zones along the penis. The pulses are the same technology used for years in orthopaedics and wound care, tuned to much lower energy.
The working theory, supported by animal studies and imaging work, is that the pulses trigger the growth of new small blood vessels and improve blood flow in the treated tissue. Vascular ED is fundamentally a blood flow problem, which is why this mechanism attracts research interest.
There is no needle, no cutting and no downtime. Most men describe the sensation as rapid tapping. You drive yourself home afterwards and there are no activity restrictions.
What the evidence says
Randomised trials of Li-ESWT for mild to moderate vascular ED have produced mixed results: several show meaningful improvement in erection scores, others show little difference from sham treatment. Urology bodies currently class it as an emerging treatment best delivered within a structured protocol, which is how we run it. Your doctor will talk through the trial data before you commit to a course.
Who tends to be a candidate
The best-studied group is men with mild to moderate ED of vascular origin, particularly those who respond partially to tablets. Men with severe ED, unmanaged diabetes or untreated hormonal causes are usually advised to address those first. The eligibility consult settles this honestly before any money changes hands.
Medically reviewed by Dr D. Moodley [DOCTOR_NAME_PLACEHOLDER], HPCSA [HPCSA_NUMBER_PLACEHOLDER]. Last reviewed 1 July 2026.
Questions about shockwave therapy
Most men describe it as a rapid tapping or flicking sensation rather than pain. No anaesthetic is needed, sessions take about 20 minutes, and you can return to work or the gym straight afterwards.
The protocols used in published trials typically run six sessions over three to six weeks. Your exact course is set at the eligibility consult and quoted in writing, so you know the full cost before the first session.
The honest answer is that trial results are mixed. Some randomised studies show real improvement in erection scores for mild to moderate vascular ED; others show little difference from sham treatment. We present the evidence as it stands and never promise a specific result.
Sometimes, but the more common pattern is alongside them. Many men use shockwave hoping to reduce their reliance on tablets over time. Whether that is realistic for you depends on the cause and severity of your ED, which the eligibility consult works out first.
Start with the consult
The eligibility consult is R650 at Milnerton or Table View. You leave with an honest answer and, where a procedure makes sense, a written quote.
R650 private doctor consult, paid upfront by cash or card. It covers the assessment, test selection, explanation of your first results, and a script where clinically appropriate. Lab tests are billed separately by the blood lab (Lancet). Medical aid is optional: you claim back yourself if you have it.