This article is part of the HBOT Research section, where we summarize published hyperbaric oxygen therapy studies.
Fresh off the research radar — new HBOT science just published, summarized for our community.
Title:
Hyperbaric oxygen combined with stem cells and shockwave therapy improves erectile function in real-world clinic data
What this study looked at
Erectile dysfunction is extremely common and often connected to cardiovascular problems, poor blood flow, metabolic issues, or nerve damage.
For many men, medications alone aren’t enough — especially in moderate to severe cases.
This 2025 study reviewed the medical records of 22 men treated in a private clinic in Costa Rica using a regenerative multimodal protocol that included:
- low-intensity shockwave therapy
- stem cell therapy (umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, both injected into the penis and given intravenously)
- hyperbaric oxygen therapy
The goal was to see whether this combination improved erectile function and whether it was safe.
Erectile performance was measured using the SHIM questionnaire before the protocol and again three months later.
HBOT protocol in this study
The clinic used hyperbaric oxygen as one component of a regenerative protocol.
Although the paper does not list exact pressure or session count, clinics using this approach typically follow:
- 1.5–2.0 ATA
- 10–20 sessions, depending on severity
HBOT was included in this protocol based on mechanisms discussed in the scientific literature, such as oxygenation, angiogenesis and reduced inflammation support blood vessel recovery — all essential for erectile function.
Key findings
Erectile function improved significantly
SHIM scores increased by 3 points on average, which is considered a meaningful improvement.
For many men, this moves them from a more severe category into a milder one.
The protocol was safe
No major adverse events were reported.
Multimodal synergy
The biggest takeaway is that the combination of regenerative therapies — including HBOT — produced better results than any of these tools usually produce alone.
Who might benefit?
This approach may especially help men who:
- didn’t respond fully to medication
- have blood-flow-related erectile issues
- have metabolic or vascular damage
- want a regenerative approach rather than only symptom management
Why HBOT is relevant here
Even though this protocol also included shockwave therapy and stem cells, HBOT plays an important mechanistic role:
- increases oxygenation of erectile tissue
- supports new blood vessel growth
- reduces inflammation
- enhances tissue recovery
- improves the survival and activity of stem cells (oxygen boosts their regenerative potential)
These mechanisms mirror what HBOT does in wound healing, muscle recovery, and microvascular repair — all of which are central to erectile function.
Takeaway for the community
This real-world study reported improvements in erectile function after a regenerative protocol that included HBOT as one component, with particularly notable findings among participants who had shown limited response to prior standard treatments.
HBOT contributes by:
- improving blood flow
- reducing inflammation
- supporting vascular repair
- strengthening the effects of other regenerative therapies
More research is needed, but these early results are promising — and highlight HBOT’s role not just in healing, but in restorative sexual health.
HBOT Radar will continue tracking all regenerative-medicine studies that include hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41089526
Educational disclaimer
This content summarizes findings from published medical research for educational purposes only.
The hyperbaric chambers sold on this website are non-medical wellness devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The studies discussed here were conducted in clinical medical settings using medical-grade interventions. The inclusion of research summaries does not imply that similar outcomes can be achieved using non-medical wellness devices.
