Low-intensity shockwave therapy device for ED treatment
From same-day resumption after shockwave therapy to the 8-week penile implant protocol — complete, honest recovery data for every erectile dysfunction treatment available at MenPower Urology.
ED in Korea is treated in a severity ladder: oral PDE5 inhibitors and shockwave therapy for mild-moderate cases (no downtime), ICI injection for moderate-severe (same-day training), and penile implant as the definitive surgical option (6–8 week recovery). MenPower publishes complication frequencies for all four pathways so you can compare honestly before deciding.
Erectile dysfunction is not a single condition. At MenPower Urology we use the IIEF-5 (International Index of Erectile Function) score combined with penile colour Doppler ultrasound to determine vascular vs. neurogenic vs. psychogenic aetiology before recommending any treatment. This matters because the wrong treatment for the wrong cause wastes your money and your time.
We start with the least invasive effective option for your severity level and advance only if response is insufficient. Skipping to implant surgery when shockwave therapy would work is not in your interest.
First-line for mild-moderate ED. No recovery time. Korean generic sildenafil (비아그라 제네릭) is available at ~₩2,500/tablet ($1.80 USD). Efficacy 65–80% in mild-moderate vascular ED. Not effective for severe arterial insufficiency or post-prostatectomy ED.
6 sessions over 3 weeks. No downtime between sessions. Stimulates angiogenesis in penile vasculature — the only ED treatment that targets the underlying vascular cause rather than compensating for it. Efficacy 60–75% in vasculogenic ED patients. Not effective for neurogenic or psychogenic ED.
Self-administered alprostadil injection directly into the corpora cavernosa. 90%+ efficacy regardless of ED cause — this is the advantage over oral and shockwave options. Training session in clinic; patient self-administers thereafter. Priapism risk ~0.9% requires patient awareness. Max 3 injections per week.
Definitive option for refractory ED (failed PDE5 inhibitors + ICI, or post-prostatectomy/post-priapism). Highest long-term satisfaction of any ED treatment at 92–95% at 5 years. Recovery 6–8 weeks. Full side effect data on the dedicated implant page.
| Phase | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Session day | 15–20 min treatment. Normal activity immediately. Mild warmth in treated area is normal. |
| Between sessions | No restriction. Slight sensitivity possible for 24–48h. No sexual abstinence required. |
| Week 4–6 | IIEF-5 re-scored. Clinical response measurable. Spontaneous erections often reported before full course completes. |
| Week 8–12 | Peak response. If insufficient, Dr. Kwon discusses next-step options at follow-up. |
| Phase | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Training session | 60-minute in-clinic injection training. English instruction sheet provided. No restriction after. |
| First 2 weeks | Practice self-injection. Max 1× per day, max 3× per week. Dose titrated up from starting level. |
| Ongoing | Self-manage at home. Dr. Kwon adjustable by video consult if dose needs adjustment. |
Days 1–14: swelling, scrotal support, antibiotics. Weeks 3–4: office work, light activity. Weeks 5–6: pump training. Week 7–8: full activity clearance including intercourse. See the full implant page for the complete week-by-week calendar.
Data sources: MenPower Urology clinical records 2020–2024 (n=847 ED patients) and peer-reviewed literature. Both sources cited.
| Treatment | Side Effect | Frequency (MenPower) | Published Literature | Duration | Management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LiSWT Shockwave | Penile discomfort during session | 31% | 20–35% | During + 24h after | Pause treatment, OTC analgesia |
| LiSWT Shockwave | Skin bruising at probe site | 4.2% | 3–6% | 5–7 days | Self-resolving |
| LiSWT Shockwave | Transient worsening of erections | 2.8% | 2–5% | First 2 weeks post-course | Expected; resolves as angiogenesis matures |
| PDE5 Oral | Facial flushing | 16% | 10–20% | 2–4 hours | Dose reduction; take with food |
| PDE5 Oral | Headache | 13% | 10–16% | 2–6 hours | Hydration; OTC paracetamol |
| PDE5 Oral | Visual disturbance (blue tinge) | 1.4% | 1–3% | 2–4 hours | Dose reduction; avoid tadalafil |
| ICI Injection | Injection site bruising | 24% | 20–30% | 3–5 days | Cold compress; rotate injection sites |
| ICI Injection | Penile pain post-injection | 18% | 10–25% | 30–60 min | Ice; OTC ibuprofen |
| ICI Injection | Prolonged erection (priapism) | 0.9% | 0.5–2% | Requires ER intervention | Aspiration + phenylephrine; emergency protocol briefed at training |
| ICI Injection | Fibrosis / Peyronie's plaque | 2.1% | 1–5% | Progressive; months | Cease ICI; switch treatment modality |
This comparison is designed for your pre-consult research — bring your questions to the video call.
| Factor | Oral PDE5 | Shockwave LiSWT | ICI Injection | Penile Implant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for severity | Mild–Moderate | Mild–Moderate (vascular) | Moderate–Severe | Severe / Refractory |
| Efficacy rate | 65–80% | 60–75% (vasculogenic) | 90%+ | 95%+ satisfaction at 5yr |
| Downtime | None | None per session | None after training | 6–8 weeks |
| Treats the cause? | No (compensates) | Yes (angiogenesis) | No (compensates) | No (replaces function) |
| Ongoing requirement | Take before each use | Repeat course 1–2× per year | Inject before each use | None once healed |
| MenPower USD cost | $95–$180 consult + RX | $1,100–$1,400 per course | $280–$360 training + supply | $6,800–$12,000 all-in |
| Foreign patient logistics | Get RX; fill in Korea or take home | 3-week stay required | Training day; self-administer at home | 10–14 days min stay |
You can bring a valid prescription from your home country and have it filled at Korean pharmacies, where generics are significantly cheaper. However, we recommend a consultation first because PDE5 inhibitors are contraindicated with nitrates and some cardiac medications. A Doppler ultrasound also tells us whether oral medication is even likely to work for your specific ED cause before you spend money on it.
LiSWT for ED has level 1 evidence from multiple randomized controlled trials as of 2022 EAU guidelines — it is no longer considered experimental. The evidence is strongest for vasculogenic (vascular-cause) ED with mild-moderate severity. It does not work for ED caused by nerve damage (post-prostatectomy), severe arterial disease (PSV <10 cm/s on Doppler), or psychological causes. This is why Doppler assessment before treatment recommendation matters.
Oral failure doesn't mean your ED is untreatable — it means we need to understand why it failed. Common reasons: the dose was subtherapeutic, it was taken incorrectly (requires sexual stimulation; not an aphrodisiac), or the underlying cause (severe vascular disease, hypogonadism, post-surgical nerve damage) doesn't respond to PDE5 inhibition. A Doppler ultrasound and testosterone panel at MenPower usually clarifies the next correct step — which may be ICI injection, shockwave therapy, or implant depending on findings.
Modern inflatable implants are not detectable when deflated — the cylinders sit inside the corpora cavernosa and the scrotal pump blends with normal scrotal anatomy. When inflated, the device produces an erection that is firm and usable but the penis does not look or feel artificial to a partner. The malleable implant is slightly more noticeable when not in use, as it maintains a degree of rigidity. Dr. Kwon discusses this candidly in the pre-op consultation.
Oral PDE5 or ICI training: 1–2 days. Shockwave therapy course (6 sessions): 3 weeks. Penile implant surgery: minimum 10–14 days before flying (12 hours' flight or longer requires medical clearance). We provide a detailed travel itinerary after your pre-consult assessment.
Send us your most recent bloodwork or any existing ED diagnostic results. Dr. Kwon will review before your free 20-minute video consult and come prepared with a recommendation.
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