Research Shows that Hyperbaric Oxygen Treats Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) become one of the most common and challenging conditions that Urologists contend with in working with male patients today. ED can be a marker for cardiovascular disease, given that it is most frequently caused by microvascular or macrovascular insufficiency. Treatments today typically range from medication to surgery.
However, numerous studies have also shown that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) shows significant benefits in the management of ED. In a number of studies, researchers use imaging to show blood flow and erectile response before treatment, at intervals during treatment, and after treatment. The results show that HBOT virtually eliminates physiological causes of ED in over 80% of patients.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) become one of the most common and challenging conditions that Urologists contend with in working with male patients today. ED can be a marker for cardiovascular disease, given that it is most frequently caused by microvascular or macrovascular insufficiency. Treatments today typically range from medication to surgery.
However, numerous studies have also shown that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) shows significant benefits in the management of ED. In a number of studies, researchers use imaging to show blood flow and erectile response before treatment, at intervals during treatment, and after treatment. The results show that HBOT virtually eliminates physiological causes of ED in over 80% of patients.
How Hyperbarics Helps
Opens blood vessels to increase blood supply to penile tissue
Increases oxygen carried in blood plasma, enabling increased oxygenation in the penile tissue, which improves its function and responsiveness
Promotes angiogenesis, which increases blood flow to penile tissues
Down-regulates over 4,000 inflammatory genes, and decreases inflammation within the first treatment
Reduces fibrosis, softens connective fibrous tissue. Penile fibrosis can impair erectile function.
Corrects ischemia, which improves blood flow throughout the body, including penile tissue
Most participants in recent studies show significant improvement in their ED, and some achieved full restoration a considerable time after HBOT
How does HBOT Address ED?
- Enhanced Oxygenation: HBOT floods the body with oxygen. This super-saturated oxygen can reach tissues that are not accessible by the red blood cells, leading to enhanced oxygen delivery to damaged areas, including the penile tissue.
- Improved Blood Flow: A lack of proper blood flow is a common cause of ED. Oxygen-rich blood can promote the formation of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. With more blood vessels, there's a better blood supply to the penile tissues, which can enhance erectile function.
- Reduced Inflammation: Inflammation is known to cause and exacerbate ED. HBOT reduces inflammation and supports the body's natural healing processes. Reduced inflammation permits greater blood flow and oxygenation and supports the body’s natural healing process.
- Stimulates Healing: Chronic or untreated ED can lead to fibrosis or the development of scar tissue in the penile tissues. Fortunately, HBOT has been shown to stimulate stem cell proliferation. In the context of ED, it promotes the regeneration of the tiny blood vessels in the penis, improving blood flow, and thereby aiding erections. Decreased inflammation, increased oxygenation, and increased blood flow are known to support the body's natural healing processes, which can help reverse some of the tissue damage associated with ED.
- Antioxidant Effect: HBOT also provides an antioxidant effect. Oxidative stress is a known factor in the pathogenesis of ED. By reducing oxidative stress, HBOT can enhance the functional ability of the penile tissue.
Patient Experiences
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Jesus, 58
Came in for a diabetic foot wound with neuoropathy, but HBOT also cured his ED!
Jesus came to Bay Area Hyperbarics concerned because his physician said he would probably need to have a foot amputated because of a diabetic foot wound. After 60 treatments, Jesus' wound was almost completely healed, and his neuropathy went away.
Jesus was at first shy about sharing the side-effect: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy healed his erectile dysfunction, which he had for the previous eight years. His wife felt that she had her younger husband back. They could hike and be active in ways they had not for nearly a decade.
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Jim, 58
His physician recommended Hyperbarics for migraines, and HBOT also healed his ED!
Jim had migraine headaches on average every six weeks, each of which lasted three to five days and left him unable to work. He had to lie quietly in a dark room, and even medication at times did not work. His physician prescribed hyperbaric oxygen therapy, saying, “Some patients tell me it helps.”
Throughout his hyperbaric treatments, Jim noticed increased energy, but the most surprising benefit was that his erectile insufficiency was completely gone. He said that he felt 20 years younger. He was able to run, and to experience an erection whenever he and his partner wanted.
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Related Articles
Still looking for answers?
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What is Hyperbaric Medicine?
Hyperbaric medicine, also called hyperbaric oxygen therapy or HBOT, is a medical treatment where a patient sits or lies in a pressurized chamber and breathes 100% oxygen. In HBOT, oxygen dissolves into the blood, thus raising the oxygen concentration to very high levels. This increased oxygen is a primary building block for tissues, muscle, and bone repair. Among other benefits, it kicks off cell reproduction, heals injuries and infections more rapidly, and decreases inflammation.
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Does HBOT kill cancer cells?
Current research indicates that hyperbaric oxygen does not kill cancer cells. However, there has been a small amount of research indicating that hyperbaric oxygen might reduce the size of certain tumors. Also, there has been a study on mice using hyperbaric oxygen, along with a ketogenic diet, to reduce tumors.
Hyperbaric oxygen causes many different healing modalities to kick into gear. Could its effect on strengthening the immune system inhibit the growth of cancer cells? Nobody knows. There are numerous studies conclusively showing that hyperbaric oxygen does not encourage cancer cells or tumors to grow.
Some patients claim that hyperbaric oxygen makes them feel a lot more comfortable and functional after chemotherapy and also during healing. Note that some chemotherapy drugs are not to be used with hyperbaric oxygen, as the chemotherapy drugs can be enhanced and thus become toxic. A good hyperbaric oxygen facility (such as Bay Area Hyperbarics) will always call the chemotherapy manufacturer to ensure that hyperbaric oxygen therapy will be helpful and not damaging to the patient. -
What is the CPT code for HBOT?
The CPT code for HBOT is G0277.
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Does Medicare cover HBOT?
Medicare covers Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for approved conditions, and many insurance companies also cover approved conditions. If your condition is not approved by your insurance, we can discuss our special rates. Give us a call at (408) 356–7438. We are happy to discuss your options with you.
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Can HBOT help Neuropathy?
Hyperbaric treatments help heal neuropathy by regrowing small blood vessels and nerves that have died from disease, injuries from radiation, and aging. Patients often experience numbness and or pain when they start treatment. Hyperbaric treatments most often bring back sensation and make, for example, walking easier and more enjoyable.
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Why would a physician consider HBOT?
A physician would consider using hyperbaric chamber therapy in a variety of situations. Physicians most typically refer patients to hyperbarics when the patient is not healing with traditional medical interventions, and hyperbaric chamber therapy is approved by Medicare for this condition.
Some patients experience significant unresolved pain, and unremitting disease states that the mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a hyperbaric chamber are known to affect, such as the downregulation of inflammatory genes. For example, some patients have experienced severe, unremitting hives with itching, which did not improve with any specialist interventions. Some physicians will consider hyperbaric chamber therapy if the patient has no other good avenues for improving their failing health, and they know the hyperbaric chamber therapy is safe and will not harm the patient. -
What is Hypebaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment where you inhale 100% oxygen in a chamber with increased atmospheric pressure. HBOT injects 400x the oxygen into your tissues and bones and mobilizes stem cells. It regrows healthy tissues in the brain, blood vessels, skin, and bones. It also reduces pain and swelling and speeds recovery. It is simple, effective, and painless.