Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice, and is just the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to erectile dysfunction.
Peak Performance for Men is an erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment that’s getting a lot of attention for its bold claims. The brand claims on their website that their treatment has an 80% success rate for men ranging from their 30s to their 80s.
But is Peak Performance for Men actually proven to work, or are these just marketing claims? Are there any risks or side effects? How does Peak Performance for Men work in the body? And how much does the treatment cost?
In this article we'll review medical studies on the technology used by Peak Performance for Men to give our take on whether the treatment is likely to be effective, or if it's a waste of money.
We'll explain how the treatment works to resolve ED, discuss side effects and document the costs associated with and without health insurance.
Does Peak Performance Work?
Peak Performance for Men uses a technology called focused linear compression therapy (FLCT), which has been studied in medical trials.
FLCT is sometimes referred to as shockwave therapy.
A clinical trial published in the Therapeutic Advances in Urology journal examined the efficacy of shockwave treatment for ED.
The study authors concluded that this type of therapy “is a revolutionary treatment of ED, and probably possesses unprecedented qualities that can rehabilitate erectile tissue.”
Shockwave treatment not only improved “subjective measures” of ED (meaning that patients noticed improved erections), but also objective (measurable) results like improved blood flow in the penis.
A 2019 medical review reported similarly positive results. Patients who underwent shockwave therapy for ED reported both subjective improvements and objective improvements to their erectile quality on average.
A 2021 clinical trial found shockwave therapy to improve erection quality and sexual function in middle-aged Taiwanese adults. 86% of patients reported satisfaction with the treatment, and 90% reported that they would recommend the same treatment to others.
Based on the available research, we consider Peak Performance for Men somewhat likely to improve ED. The underlying technology appears to be highly effective, but the research is early-stage and it's unclear if Peak Performance for Men uses the same specifications as those used in clinical studies.
But how does the FLCT actually work in the body to resolve ED? We'll discuss that in the next section.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
The technology underlying shockwave therapy is so early-stage that even researchers are unclear on exactly how it works. A medical review on FLCT published in the International Urology and Nephrology journal stated:
“The precise mechanism of action of low-intensity shockwave therapy (LISWT) is not fully understood; however, it is believed that the compression and subsequent negative pressures created from the shockwave energy, the so-called cavitation phenomenon, is an important factor.”
What’s proposed by the researchers as a mechanism of action is that the waves promote increased expression of a growth factor in blood vessels in the penis, which causes the growth of new blood vessels. The medical terminology for this process is called neovascularization.
This type of therapy has been shown to be effective not only for ED, but also for other soft tissue disorders. A 2014 medical review found that FLCT is effective for plantar fasciitis and calcific tendonitis.
A medical device brand called “Venn Healthcare Ltd” published a useful animated video on this type of therapy which has reached over 12 million views:
Does Peak Performance Cause Side Effects?
Peak Performance’s website claims that the treatment has no side effects. Medical research suggests otherwise.
A medical review on side effects caused by extracorporeal shock wave therapy to treat tennis elbow noted that reddening of the skin was experienced by 22% of patients (but this effect was not permanent), pain by 4.8% of patients and haematomas (small blood vessel injuries) by 3% of patients.
Similar side effects and rates were noted by researchers in a 2017 medical review on shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis.
Since Peak Performance for Men uses the exact same type of technology, it seems logical that the side effect profile would be similar to that seen in these studies. If their clinics use lower-intensity shock waves, then perhaps they can truly be side-effect-free, but the brand fails to provide evidence of that.
Even if Peak Performance for Men has similar side effects to FLCT for other conditions, it’s still a relatively mild side effect profile, and less concerning than side effects for commercial treatment of ED in our opinion.
As we documented in our Bluechew review article, upwards of 30% of men taking that popular ED medication report side effects that last 12 hours or longer.
How Much Does It Cost?
At the time of initially publishing this article, a regional Peak Performance location in Michigan charged $150 per 60 minutes for an initial evaluation and follow-up, and $1,200 for a 10 visit package.
However, at the time of updating this article, it appears that Peak Performance for Men may have shut down operations. Their main website does not currently work, and the regional clinic we previously cited now re-directs to a physical therapy business.
Patients interested in shockwave therapy for ED should discuss treatment options with their doctor. Since ED is a health condition, treatment may be covered or subsidized by health insurance.
Can Ginseng Naturally Support Erections?
Panax ginseng has been studied in multiple clinical trials for its potential to naturally treat ED and improve male sexual function.
A clinical trial published in The Journal of Urology found that after eight weeks of treatment, erectile function scores were "significantly higher" in the ginseng group than the group taking placebo pills.
Another clinical trial found that 60% of patients supplementing with panax ginseng had improvements to ED.
Illuminate Labs sells a Panax Ginseng Extract supplement which is third-party tested to ensure label accuracy, potency and purity, and which contains no questionable additive ingredients.
Interested consumers can check out Illuminate Labs Panax Ginseng Extract at this link to the product page on our website, where the supplement can be purchased for only $15 on a subscription basis.
Pros and Cons of Peak Performance
Here are the pros and cons of Peak Performance for Men in our opinion:
Pros:
- Should improve ED
- Impressive early research
- Minimally invasive
- Low chance of side effects
- Long-term solution
Cons:
- Company may have gone out of business
- Unclear pricing
