What Is GAINSWave® for Men?
GAINSWave® for Men is a branded approach to low-intensity acoustic wave therapy used in the context of men's sexual health. The treatment delivers controlled acoustic energy to selected areas with the goal of producing localized tissue responses.
Erectile function depends on adequate blood flow as well as healthy nerve function, smooth muscle activity, hormonal balance, and psychological factors. For some men, vascular factors play an important role in erectile difficulties, which is one reason low-intensity shockwave therapy has been studied as a potential treatment approach.
GAINSWave® does not require a surgical incision, penile implant, or direct injection of medication into penile tissue.
It is also different from the high-energy shockwaves used for procedures such as kidney-stone lithotripsy. The energy levels, treatment objectives, and clinical applications are different.
GAINSWave® Is Not a Guaranteed Treatment for ED
Low-intensity shockwave therapy should not be presented as a guaranteed cure for erectile dysfunction. Treatment response varies, and the underlying cause of ED is an important consideration when determining whether this approach is appropriate.
The 2025 European Association of Urology guidelines state that low-intensity shockwave treatment may be considered for certain men with mild vasculogenic erectile dysfunction, including some men who do not wish to use or are not suitable for oral medication and some men who respond poorly to PDE5 inhibitors. The recommendation is weak because the available evidence remains limited and continues to develop.
The American Urological Association takes a more conservative position and considers low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy investigational for erectile dysfunction.
These differences in clinical guidance are important when discussing treatment. A physician-led evaluation can help determine whether GAINSWave® is appropriate and whether an established treatment or additional medical evaluation should be considered instead.
How GAINSWave® Works
Low-intensity shockwave therapy uses controlled acoustic energy to produce mechanical stimulation within targeted tissues. Researchers have studied whether these signals can influence cellular and vascular processes associated with tissue repair and blood-vessel function.
For men with a vascular component to erectile dysfunction, the treatment is being investigated for its potential effects on the physiological processes involved in penile blood flow.
The proposed mechanisms do not mean that treatment physically removes arterial plaque or guarantees the formation of new blood vessels. The biological response and clinical outcome can vary between patients.
Supporting Blood Flow and Tissue Signaling
A healthy erection requires adequate blood entering and remaining within the erectile tissues. Vascular disease, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, aging, and other conditions can interfere with this process.
Low-intensity acoustic waves are being studied for their potential effects on vascular signaling, including processes associated with angiogenesis and tissue repair. However, the degree of benefit varies among studies and patients, and treatment should not be described as physically clearing arterial plaque or creating guaranteed new blood vessels.
Why the Cause of ED Matters
Erectile dysfunction is a symptom with multiple possible causes. A man whose symptoms are primarily associated with vascular health may have a different treatment pathway from someone whose erectile difficulties are related mainly to medication effects, hormonal abnormalities, nerve injury, psychological factors, or another condition.
That is why we consider GAINSWave® as part of an individualized sexual-health evaluation. Identifying potential contributors to erectile dysfunction helps determine whether acoustic wave therapy is appropriate or whether another treatment or
medical evaluation should come first.
Who Is a Candidate for GAINSWave®?
GAINSWave® may be considered for adult men experiencing erectile difficulties who are medically appropriate for acoustic-wave treatment. It may be of particular interest when an evaluation suggests that vascular factors could be contributing to erectile dysfunction.
Potential candidates may include men who:
Symptoms alone do not establish candidacy. The decision to pursue treatment should follow an evaluation of your health, erectile symptoms, previous treatments, and goals.
When Another Treatment May Be More Appropriate
Some men may benefit more from established erectile dysfunction treatments such as oral medications, injectable therapies, vacuum erection devices, or surgical options. Others may need evaluation or treatment for cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes, hormonal abnormalities, medication effects, or another underlying condition.
GAINSWave® should not delay appropriate diagnosis or treatment of a health condition contributing to erectile dysfunction. If another approach is better suited to your circumstances, that should be part of the treatment discussion.
A consultation is the starting point for determining whether GAINSWave® is appropriate. We review your sexual-health concerns alongside your medical history, medications, previous treatments, and treatment goals.
You may be asked about:
- When your erectile changes began
- Whether you have difficulty achieving, maintaining, or both achieving and maintaining an erection
- Erections during sleep or upon waking
- Current medications and supplements
- Cardiovascular or metabolic conditions
- Previous ED treatments
- Pelvic or penile injury or surgery
- Libido or other sexual symptoms
- Your expectations for treatment
This information helps us identify possible contributors to erectile dysfunction and determine whether acoustic wave therapy belongs in your treatment plan.
GAINSWave® is performed in the office using a handheld acoustic-wave device. The provider applies the device to predetermined treatment areas and delivers controlled acoustic energy according to the selected treatment protocol.
The treatment does not require an incision or an injection into penile tissue. You may feel tapping, pressure, or mild discomfort as the acoustic pulses are delivered. Individual sensitivity varies.
Treatment duration depends on the protocol being used. The Center for Advanced Urology's current GAINSWave® information describes individual sessions as typically lasting about 20 minutes.
Treatment is designed to be relatively brief, although the exact duration depends on the treatment plan and device protocol.
During the session:
- You will be positioned comfortably in a private treatment setting.
- The treatment area will be prepared according to clinical protocol.
- The provider will apply the acoustic-wave device to selected areas.
- Controlled pulses of acoustic energy will be delivered.
- The provider will adjust treatment parameters as appropriate.
- You can communicate with the provider throughout the session.
Because the treatment is noninvasive, there is no surgical incision or injection into the erectile tissue.
Some patients may feel tapping, pressure, or mild discomfort during treatment. Individual sensitivity varies.
GAINSWave® is generally provided as a series of treatment sessions rather than a single treatment. The recommended number and frequency depend on the treatment protocol, your symptoms, treatment goals, and individual circumstances.
Low-intensity shockwave therapy protocols vary between studies and clinical settings. Differences can include the device used, energy settings, treatment areas, session frequency, and total number of sessions.
The Center for Advanced Urology's current GAINSWave® program information describes a six-session treatment option, with individual sessions typically lasting about 20 minutes. Your provider can discuss the recommended schedule and available treatment options during your consultation.
GAINSWave® is noninvasive, so it generally does not require the type of preparation associated with surgery. However, your provider should know about medications, health conditions, recent procedures, and other treatments that could affect your care.
Before treatment, tell the clinical team about:
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Blood thinners or anticoagulants
- Supplements
- Recent procedures
- Active infections or skin conditions
- Penile pain or injury
- Significant changes in erectile function
- Other sexual-health treatments
Do not stop a prescription medication unless the physician who prescribed it specifically instructs you to do so.
One of the practical features of low-intensity shockwave treatment is that it does not require a surgical recovery period.
Because there is no incision, most patients can return to their normal daily activities after treatment. Your provider will give you any treatment-specific instructions based on your circumstances.
After a session, contact the office if you experience unexpected or persistent pain, significant swelling, skin changes, or another symptom that concerns you.
GAINSWave® is not intended to produce an instant change in erectile function immediately after a single session.
The proposed biological effects of low-intensity shockwave therapy involve tissue signaling and vascular responses that may develop over time. Consequently, treatment response should be assessed over the course of the treatment program rather than judged solely by how you feel immediately afterward.
GAINSWave® is not intended to produce an immediate change in erectile function after a single session. The proposed effects of low-intensity shockwave therapy involve tissue signaling and vascular responses that may develop over time.
The timing and degree of response vary. Some men may notice changes during a treatment series, while others may experience little or no meaningful improvement.
Factors that may influence treatment response include:
- The underlying cause and severity of ED
- Cardiovascular and metabolic health
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Medication use
- Hormonal status
- Age
- Penile tissue health
- Treatment protocol
- Individual biological response
Follow-up is important because treatment response should be evaluated rather than assumed.
Sexual function is influenced by overall health. Smoking, obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, poor sleep, excessive alcohol use, low physical activity, medications, and other medical factors can contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Addressing these factors may be important regardless of whether GAINSWave® is included in your treatment plan.
A comprehensive evaluation can also distinguish erectile dysfunction from changes in libido, ejaculation, sensation, penile curvature, or other sexual-health concerns that may require a different approach.
Erectile dysfunction is one of the primary reasons men ask about GAINSWave®.
For selected men with mild or predominantly vascular ED, low-intensity shockwave therapy is being studied as a way to influence penile vascular function. The EAU currently gives a weak recommendation for low-intensity shockwave treatment in certain men with vasculogenic ED, while the AUA considers the treatment investigational.
That distinction matters.
GAINSWave® should be discussed as one potential treatment option, not as a replacement for a complete ED evaluation or established therapies when those are indicated.
Men may seek care for changes in erection quality, sexual performance, libido, or other concerns that do not fit neatly into a single diagnosis.
These concerns can involve vascular health, hormones, medications, neurologic function, sleep, physical health, psychological factors, and other issues. GAINSWave® may be discussed when erectile function is the primary concern and acoustic wave therapy is clinically appropriate.
Other sexual-health concerns may require a different evaluation or treatment.
Peyronie's disease involves scar tissue within the penis and can cause curvature, shortening, pain, or difficulty with sexual activity.
Although acoustic-wave treatments have been discussed in connection with Peyronie's disease, men with penile curvature should receive an appropriate urologic evaluation rather than assuming GAINSWave® will correct the condition.
Treatment decisions for Peyronie's disease depend on factors such as curvature, pain, erectile function, disease characteristics, and the patient's individual circumstances. Your physician can discuss whether acoustic wave therapy or another treatment approach is appropriate.
Why Choose the Center for Advanced Urology?
GAINSWave® is considered within the broader context of men's sexual and urologic health at Center for Advanced Urology.
A Broader Approach to Men's Sexual Health
The Center for Advanced Urology offers multiple approaches to men's sexual health, allowing GAINSWave® to be considered alongside other treatment options when appropriate.
Privacy and Patient-Centered Care
Sexual concerns can be difficult to discuss. Consultations and treatment are conducted in a private medical environment with attention to patient comfort, confidentiality, and individualized care.
Center for Advanced Urology provides men’s sexual health services to patients throughout the South Jersey and Philadelphia regions.
If you are considering GAINSWave®, contact the practice to discuss available appointments, the appropriate office for your care, and current treatment logistics.
Our Clinics
The Center for Advanced Urology provides GAINSWave® for Men consultations at two clinic locations, each serving the communities listed below.
Moorestown
Salem
Frequently Asked Questions About GAINSWave® for Men
Low-intensity shockwave therapy is not FDA-approved specifically as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. The American Urological Association considers low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy investigational for ED, while the European Association of Urology gives a weak recommendation for selected men with mild vasculogenic ED.
Your physician should explain the evidence, limitations, and alternatives before treatment.
GAINSWave® is a branded treatment approach involving acoustic-wave technology. The broader medical term often used for this type of treatment is low-intensity shockwave therapy or low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy.
Different devices and protocols can vary, so results from one study should not automatically be assumed to apply to every branded treatment.
Patients may experience tapping, pressure, or mild discomfort during treatment, but there is no surgical incision. Individual experiences vary.
The Center for Advanced Urology's current GAINSWave® information describes sessions lasting approximately 20 minutes. The exact treatment duration can vary depending on the protocol and individual treatment plan.
The number and frequency of sessions depend on the treatment plan. GAINSWave® protocols can vary, and there is no universally established schedule that guarantees a particular outcome.
The provider will discuss the recommended course after evaluating your needs.
Because the treatment is noninvasive, significant surgical downtime is generally not expected. Your provider will explain any restrictions or precautions that apply to your specific situation.
No treatment should be described as a guaranteed cure for ED. Erectile dysfunction can have multiple causes, and response to low-intensity shockwave therapy varies. Current guidelines also differ in how strongly they support its use.
Not necessarily. Some men may be candidates for medication, shockwave therapy, or a combination of approaches. Others may benefit from a different treatment altogether. Your physician can discuss the available options based on the cause and severity of your ED.
No. A medical evaluation is important because erectile dysfunction can be associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, medication effects, hormonal issues, neurologic conditions, and other health concerns.
Men with Peyronie's disease should receive an individualized urologic evaluation. Acoustic-wave treatment should not be assumed to correct penile curvature or replace established Peyronie's disease management.
There is no single duration that can be guaranteed. Research has produced varying results, and long-term durability remains an important limitation in the evidence base. Your provider can discuss what is known and what remains uncertain.
For men, the current GAINSWave® treatment pricing includes:
- Six GAINSWave® sessions: $3,000
- Six GAINSWave® sessions with one P-Shot®: $4,500
- Additional P-Shot® treatments within the GAINSWave® program: $1,500 each
The standalone price for a P-Shot® is $1,700 when it is not part of the GAINSWave® treatment program.
These prices are subject to change. Your provider can explain the current treatment options and pricing applicable to your individual plan.
Contact Us
Is GAINSWave® for Men Right for You?
GAINSWave® may be worth discussing if you are experiencing changes in erectile function or are interested in a noninvasive approach to men's sexual wellness. However, the right treatment depends on why your sexual function has changed.
At the Center for Advanced Urology, the process begins with evaluation rather than a promise of a predetermined result. Dr. Stuart Diamond and the clinical team can assess your concerns, explain the available options, discuss the current evidence, and help you make an informed decision about whether GAINSWave® belongs in your treatment plan.
To learn whether GAINSWave® for Men is appropriate for your needs, schedule a confidential consultation with the Center for Advanced Urology, serving the South Jersey and Philadelphia regions.