Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or sustain a penile erection for vaginal penetration and satisfactory sexual performance. It is the second most frequent problem of sexual dysfunction in men, after premature ejaculation, with an approximate prevalence rate of 30%. Most cases of erectile dysfunction have an organic origin, mostly vascular diseases, but it is also associated with psychological, neurological, and hormonal factors, or with structural alterations of the penis. Therapy with 5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors has been clinically effective, but some patients do not respond to it. Lowintensity shock waves may improve penile vascularity and blood flow, leading to better erections, and improvement of the quality of sexual performance. In this review several studies are included that show the effectiveness of this treatment for erectile dysfunction.