A new handheld device, VerticaPro, is being introduced in the UK as a non-invasive treatment option for men experiencing mild to moderate erectile dysfunction. The gadget utilizes low-frequency radio waves to stimulate tissue, aiming to improve blood flow and collagen elasticity within the penis.
The technology, already in use for skin tightening, is adapted in VerticaPro to target the spongy tissue where blood pools during an erection. The manufacturer claims that by gently heating this tissue, the device encourages collagen growth and elasticity, which in turn can help maintain an erection. This approach contrasts with oral medications like sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis), which target symptoms or rely on pharmacological effects.
VerticaPro is designed for men who have not responded to or prefer not to use anti-impotence drugs. Erectile dysfunction affects approximately one in five men in the UK, totaling around 4.3 million individuals. Factors contributing to this condition include aging, reduced blood flow due to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Some research also suggests that erectile dysfunction can be an early indicator of cardiovascular disease.
While Viagra and similar drugs have been widely used for two decades, they are not effective for all patients, and some experience side effects such as headaches, facial flushing, dizziness, and nasal congestion. The VerticaPro offers a potential drug-free alternative.
A pilot study involving 40 men, published in the Journal of Impotence Research in 2023, reported that over 85% experienced statistically significant improvements in erectile function after 12 sessions over eight weeks, with no serious side effects. However, this study was sponsored by the manufacturer. A larger clinical trial with 200 participants is currently underway in the United States.
The VerticaPro is set to be rolled out to selected private clinics across the UK in the coming weeks. A course of 12 sessions, spread over four weeks, is expected to cost around £1,500. Patients may also need to continue with home treatments to maintain the results.
A miniature version, Vertica, for home use, has been available in the UK since 2023 and costs approximately £1,200.
Consultant urologists have noted the potential of this technology. Professor David Ralph, a consultant urologist and andrologist at University College London Hospitals, stated that VerticaPro could benefit many men by addressing the underlying physiology of erectile dysfunction. He explained that controlled radiofrequency energy may improve blood flow, support vascular responsiveness, and stimulate long-term tissue changes conducive to erectile function, aiming to enhance the body's natural erectile mechanism.
Wai Gin Lee, a consultant urological surgeon at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, described the approach as novel and non-invasive, targeting structural causes rather than just providing temporary symptomatic relief. She added that for select patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction, it offers a drug-free option with encouraging early clinical data.