COMPARING ED TREATMENTS
Shockwave Therapy vs. Vertica
If you are researching shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction, you are likely looking for a treatment that goes beyond pills and aims to improve erectile function more naturally.
Shockwave therapy is one option. Vertica is another.
This page explains how both approaches work, how they differ, and which type of treatment may be more suitable depending on your situation.
Understanding Shockwave Therapy for ED
Shockwave Therapy, sometimes called acoustic wave therapy for ED, uses low-intensity sound waves. It works by sending these sound waves into the penile tissue. The idea is to help grow new blood vessels and improve blood flow in the penis.
Here’s what you generally need to know about Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction:
- How it’s given: It’s a treatment you get at a clinic. You’ll usually need to go for multiple sessions over several weeks. This means booking appointments, travelling to the clinic, and fitting it into your schedule.
- What it does: Its main job is to encourage new blood vessels to form, aiming to boost blood flow.
- Privacy and Comfort: Because it’s done at a clinic, it involves being in a medical setting, which some men might find less private and awkward.
- How Long Do Results Last? Shockwave Therapy is used to help with ED, though it’s typically not a permanent solution. The improvements might fade over time, meaning you could find yourself needing more ‘top-up’ treatments down the line to keep the benefits going.
- Costs: Each session of Shockwave Therapy has a fee, and most health insurance (in the UK) won’t cover it. So, if you do need those future treatments, those bills can quickly start adding up.
Shockwave therapy may help some men, particularly those with mild vascular ED, but results are not guaranteed.
Comparing ED Solutions: Vertica vs. Shockwave Therapy
| Feature | Vertica by OhhMed | Shockwave Therapy (Li-ESWT) |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment Environment | Your home, your control. Vertica offers discreet, at-home use, empowering you to manage your ED treatment privately. |
Clinic-only. Requires multiple visits to a medical clinic, involving scheduling and travel. |
| Ease of Use | Designed for independent use. A user-friendly handheld device with pre-set programmes. No professional operator required. |
Requires professional application. Sessions must be applied by a trained healthcare professional. |
| How It Works | Multi-pathway stimulation. Utilises low-intensity Radiofrequency (RF) energy to promote blood flow, tissue repair, and strengthen erectile function. |
Acoustic wave stimulation. Primarily uses acoustic waves to stimulate blood vessel growth and improve local circulation. |
| Privacy & Comfort | Private and comfortable. Treatment is conducted in your own home, maintaining full privacy and comfort. |
Clinic setting. Involves physical exposure in a clinical environment, which may be less private for some individuals. |
| Accessibility | Always available. No appointments or travel needed. You control when and where your treatment occurs. |
Dependent on clinic access. Limited by clinic hours, location, and appointment availability. |
| Cost Structure | One-off ownership. Designed for cost-effective ownership with no recurring per-session charges. |
Per-session costs. Involves recurring fees for each treatment session. |
| Long-term Approach | Consistent routine care. Integrates into your health routine for ongoing, consistent benefits. |
Typically involves a series of sessions that require scheduling and planning. |
| Clinical Evidence | Clinically tested. 85% of men showed improved erectile function in clinical trial, with a favourable safety profile. |
Varying evidence. Clinical studies show mixed results, with efficacy varying between individuals. |
Why is Vertica different to Shockwave?
Vertica is a CE-marked, at-home medical device that uses controlled radiofrequency (RF) energy rather than acoustic shockwaves.
Shockwave Therapy is all about growing new blood vessels, but Vertica does more than just that.
Vertica uses Radiofrequency (RF) energy, a non-invasive method that targets vital aspects like blood flow and tissue health – addressing several key areas for an erection:
- Boosts Blood Flow & Strengthens Tissue: Vertica’s RF energy helps blood vessels widen, allowing more blood in for a firm erection (like Shockwave also aims for). But it also actively helps renew and strengthen penile tissue, which Shockwave Therapy does not directly do. This helps you get and hold an erection properly.
- Supports Nerve Signals: Beyond blood flow and tissue, Vertica also helps improve nerve function. Healthy nerves are essential for starting and maintaining an erection, and Shockwave isn’t designed to work on them directly.
- Home Use & Privacy: Unlike clinic visits for Shockwave, Vertica is for personal, at-home use. You get full control and privacy, managing your treatment in your own comfortable space, without appointments or travel.
- Easy to Use & Independent: Vertica is a handheld device with programmes already set up. You don’t need a medical professional present for each session, which is required with Shockwave Therapy. This allows you to manage your treatment independently, you are in control.
- Fixed Cost, No Hidden Fees: Vertica is a one-time purchase for home use, so you won’t face any surprise bills later. Unlike Shockwave Therapy, which charges per session and may requires future maintenance treatments on-going, your future costs are clear from the start with Vertica.
- Results & Comfort: In a clinical trial, 85% of men saw improved erectile function. Users found the device “very comfortable, simple, and easy to operate” with no reported side effects.
Shockwave Therapy for ED: Common Questions Answered
Does shockwave therapy work for erectile dysfunction?
Low-intensity shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) has been studied in multiple clinical trials and systematic reviews. Some evidence suggests it may improve erectile function in some men, but effects can be small and vary between studies. Confidence in the evidence is limited due to study differences and design quality.
Is shockwave therapy considered standard ED care?
Many urology guidelines do not currently list shockwave therapy as an established standard treatment. While research continues and results are mixed, some professional organisations describe it as still under investigation or needing more high-quality evidence.
How is Vertica different from shockwave therapy?
Vertica uses radiofrequency (RF) energy, not acoustic shockwaves. RF is a different type of energy that heats tissues in a controlled way. Vertica is designed for home use as a guided device, whereas shockwave therapy is delivered in a clinic using focused sound waves.
Is Vertica a shockwave device?
No. Vertica does not use shockwave technology. It uses controlled radiofrequency (RF) energy, which is a different technology from the acoustic waves used in shockwave therapy.
Do I need a prescription for Vertica?
No prescription is required. Vertica is a CE-marked medical device intended for home use. Please note local regulations and availability may vary.
Making Your Choice ✅
Choosing the right way to manage ED is a big decision. We’ve laid out the details about both Shockwave Therapy, often clinic-based and focused on blood vessels, and Vertica, a innovative at-home option that works on blood flow, tissue health, and nerve function.
- Want to avoid repeated clinic visits
- Value privacy and discretion
- Single, fixed cost than on-going fees
- Are looking for a longer-term programme rather than a one-off procedure
By understanding these differences, you’re now better equipped to consider which approach truly fits your life and offers you the most hope for getting back to feeling like yourself.
