Platelet Rich Plasma Injections
(PRP)
What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?
How does PRP help erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Do PRP injections really help ED?
What do the critics say?
Are PRP injections FDA approved?
Is a PRP injections the same as a P-Shot?
Click on links to learn more
TREAT ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
STRONGER, FIRMER ERECTIONS
EASIER TO ACHIEVE & MAINTAIN ERECTIONS
INCREASED SENSITIVITY IN THE PENIS
BETTER OVERALL BLOOD FLOW
What is PRP?
1) Dashore, S., Chouhan, K., Nanda, S., & Sharma, A. (2021). Preparation of platelet-rich plasma: National IADVL PRP taskforce recommendations. Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 12(Suppl 1), S12.
PRP is plasma that has been separated from your blood. Your blood is processed to separate the red blood cells from the plasma. It is spun again to further concentrate the platelets and growth factors. This concentrated plasma, rich in platelets and growth factors, up to 5 times more concentrated than the plasma that we originally harvested from your blood. We use a double spin technique to ensure the highest concentration of platelet rich plasma possible.
How does PRP work?
1) Boswell S.G., Cole B.J., Sundman E.A., Karas V., Fortier L.A.. Platelet-rich plasma: a milieu of bioactive factors. Arthroscopy. 2012;28:429–439. 2) Foster T.E., Puskas B.L., Mandelbaum B.R., Gerhardt M.B., Rodeo S.A.. Platelet-rich plasma: from basic science to clinical applications. Am. J. Sports Med. 2009;37:2259–2272. 3) Pavlovic V, Ciric M, Jovanovic V, Stojanovic P. Platelet Rich Plasma: a short overview of certain bioactive components. Open Med (Wars). 2016 Aug 12;11(1):242-247.
Platelets contain more than 1100 different proteins. Importantly, they are a storage site for the seven main growth factors found in blood. These include platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). These growth factors result in cellular regeneration and the growth of new blood vessels necessary for proper erectile function.
Is PRP safe?
1) John’s Hopkins Medicine. Platelet Rich Plasma Injections. Accessed December 26, 2023. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/plateletrich-plasma-prp-treatment#:~:text=Although%20the%20equipment%20used%20to,is%20not%20considered%20a%20drug.
PRP has been experimented with since the 1970’s due to its potential for tissue regrowth and healing. Since it is harvested from your own blood there is no chance of having an allergic reaction. It is currently widely used in medicine for tendon, ligament, muscle and joint injuries, post-surgical wound healing, osteoarthritis, hair loss, skin rejuvenation, and erectile dysfunction. John Hopkin’s Medicine considers PRP injections “a low-risk procedure and does not usually cause major side effects.”
How does PRP help ED?
Platelets release growth factors that result in tissue regeneration, blood vessel growth and repair, and healing. Platelets injected into the penis in strategic locations will promote the formation of new blood vessels and healing of damaged vessels. Rats have even demonstrated nerve regeneration in penile tissue after injection of PRP.
1) El‐Sharkawy, H., Kantarci, A., Deady, J., Hasturk, H., Liu, H., Alshahat, M., & Van Dyke, T. E. (2007). Platelet‐rich plasma: growth factors and pro‐and anti‐inflammatory properties. Journal of periodontology, 78(4), 661-669. 2) 2) Anastasiadis, E., Ahmed, R., Khoja, A. K., & Yap, T. (2022). Erectile dysfunction: Is platelet-rich plasma the new frontier for treatment in patients with erectile dysfunction? A review of the existing evidence. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 4, 944765.
Do PRP injections really help ED?
1 ) Poulios, E., Mykoniatis, I., Pyrgidis, N., Zilotis, F., Kapoteli, P., Kotsiris, D., ... & Hatzichristou, D. (2021). Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) improves erectile function: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The journal of sexual medicine, 18(5), 926-935.) 2) Anastasiadis, E., Ahmed, R., Khoja, A. K., & Yap, T. (2022). Erectile dysfunction: Is platelet-rich plasma the new frontier for treatment in patients with erectile dysfunction? A review of the existing evidence. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 4, 944765. 3) (Alkandari, M. H., Touma, N., & Carrier, S. (2022). Platelet-rich plasma injections for erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease: a systematic review of evidence. Sexual medicine reviews, 10(2), 341-352.)
PRP injections for erectile dysfunction are relatively new and have not had time for robust clinical evidence to be gathered. To date, there is only one double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of PRP injections in 60 patients with mild and moderate ED. The results were very promising and no serious adverse events were reported.1 However, a responsible physician must acknowledge that further studies must be conducted to gather more scientific evidence. We look forward for those studies to be performed. In the meantime we look at subjective evidence, or what our patients report on how PRP injections have helped their ED.
At least 18 studies have been performed on PRP injections for ED which were not double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies. “Despite their limitations, the cohort studies published to date have shown a tendency for PRP to improve erectile function and to improve outcomes in men with ED and the results have been encouraging.”2 “No major complications were noted.”3
Studies on rats have been very encouraging for ED caused by nerve damage. Nerves of the penis were intentionally damaged through crush injuries and diabetes. Following treatment with PRP injections, these rats showed improved hardness (measured by pressure gauges) of erections. Microscopic evaluation of the penis tissue showed “increased number of myelinated axons (nerves)” showing that “nerve damage was reversed with PRP treatment.”2
What do the critics say?
1) Campbell, J. D., Milenkovic, U., Usta, M. F., Albersen, M., & Bivalacqua, T. J. (2020). The good, bad, and the ugly of regenerative therapies for erectile dysfunction. Translational Andrology and Urology, 9(Suppl 2), S252.
We believe that individuals should be empowered with all the unbiased evidence for and against any medical treatment so they can make an informed decision regarding their own health.
The biggest concern, fortunately not a safety concern, is regarding the quality and study design of the existing studies that have looked at PRP for erectile dysfunction. This calls into questions the validity of the study results.
The following is an excerpt from a medical journal that fairly looks at both sides of the evidence (or lack thereof) regarding Li-ESWT for ED:
"Overall, the currently available data suggest that PRP treatment for ED is safe, with human studies attesting to a low risk of adverse events. Although this treatment has been successful in other fields of medicine, we cannot conclude that there is a long-term functional benefit in sexual medicine. Based on other medical literature, the clinical utility or PRP is sound, due to the presence of growth factors; however, the current data using PRP for ED has low patient numbers, a lack of controls, and questionable clinical efficacy. ... Further prospective and randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed before this treatment can be accepted as a therapy to improve erectile function."1
We anxiously await the results of further research to gain additional insight into PRP injections for ED.
Are there side effects?
Since PRP comes from your own body there is no chance of an allergic reaction. Side effects can be cause by the needle and are generally limited to mild penile bruising, ecchymosis, hematoma. John Hopkin’s Medicine considers PRP injections “a low-risk procedure and does not usually cause major side effects.”
1) Scott, S., Roberts, M., & Chung, E. (2019). Platelet-rich plasma and treatment of erectile dysfunction: critical review of literature and global trends in platelet-rich plasma clinics. Sexual medicine reviews, 7(2), 306-312.). 2) John’s Hopkins Medicine. Platelet Rich Plasma Injections. Accessed December 26, 2023. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/plateletrich-plasma-prp-treatment#:~:text=Although%20the%20equipment%20used%20to,is%20not%20considered%20a%20drug.
Do PRP injections hurt?
Mild discomfort can be experienced from the small gauge needle piercing the skin. Topical anesthesia can be given to provide more comfort. Most patients are quite comfortable during the procedure.
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Are PRP injections FDA approved?
“Research for the different applications of PRP is promising and rapidly growing. Although the equipment used to produce PRP and the injections themselves have been cleared by the FDA, this procedure is considered investigational and has not been officially approved by the FDA for most uses. Since PRP is a substance derived from one’s own blood, it is not considered a drug. FDA clearance means that doctors can prescribe and administer PRP if they believe it’s in the best interest of the patient. However, lack of the FDA approval means that PRP treatments may not be covered by insurance.” (John's Hopkins Medicine)
1) John’s Hopkins Medicine. Platelet Rich Plasma Injections. Accessed December 26, 2023. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/plateletrich-plasma-prp-treatment#:~:text=Although%20the%20equipment%20used%20to,is%20not%20considered%20a%20drug.
Is PRP the same as the P-Shot?
“P-Shot®” stands for Priapus Shot, a name trademarked and patented in the US by Dr. Charles Runels. It involves harvesting your bodies platelet rich plasma (PRP) and injecting it into specific areas of the penis to help with symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
To use and market the name P-Shot®, a physician must pay a fee. We deeply respect Dr. Runels work and the trademarked name P-Shot®. We do not pay the fee to use the name P-Shot®, therefore our PRP injection for erectile dysfunction is not called a P-Shot®. It is an injection of platelet rich plasma into strategic areas of the penis to help with symptoms of erectile dysfunction.