Can Damaged Penile Blood Vessels Be Repaired?

The 2025 EAU Guidelines indicate that damage to penile blood vessels (vasculogenic erectile dysfunction) is one of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction, particularly in men with cardiovascular risk factors.¹ While direct surgical repair of damaged penile blood vessels was historically attempted, the guidelines no longer recommend this approach due to poor long-term outcomes and the availability of more effective alternatives.² For men with mild to moderate vasculogenic erectile dysfunction, the guidelines recommend phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) as first-line therapy.³ These medications work by enhancing blood flow to the penis but require functioning blood vessels to be effective. The guidelines state that PDE5Is are associated with significant improvement of erectile function with a good overall safety profile, though their effectiveness may be limited in cases of severe vascular damage.⁴ For patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction who don’t respond to oral medications, the guidelines recommend low-intensity shockwave therapy (LI-SWT), which has been shown to induce mild improvement in erectile function specifically in men with vascular issues.⁵ This non-invasive treatment aims to stimulate new blood vessel formation and improve existing vascular function, though its effects are typically modest. In cases of severe vascular damage where medications and other therapies fail, the EAU Guidelines strongly recommend penile prosthesis implantation.⁶ The guidelines note that penile implants have one of the highest satisfaction rates (92-100% in patients and 91-95% in partners) among treatment options for erectile dysfunction.⁷ Two main types are available: inflatable (two- and three-piece) and semi-rigid devices, with the choice depending on patient preference and manual dexterity.⁸ The guidelines specifically caution that men with significant vascular impairment, such as those with diabetes, have higher risk of complications from penile implant surgery, including infection and mechanical failure.⁹ However, with careful surgical techniques and appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis, infection rates can be reduced to 1-2% with antibiotic-impregnated or hydrophilic-coated prostheses.¹⁰ It’s important to note that the guidelines emphasize lifestyle modifications as an essential component of managing vasculogenic erectile dysfunction, including smoking cessation, weight loss, and increased physical activity, as these measures can improve overall vascular health and may enhance the effectiveness of other treatments.¹¹