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Did you know? About 1% of males in their 40s, 17% of males in their 60s, and nearly 50% of men 75 and older cannot get an erection sufficient for intercourse [1]. Treatments have been popping in the market, including PRP for erectile dysfunction.
But how does PRP really work? Is it effective? What are its side effects? Kindly keep on reading to find out.
What Is PRP?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. It is a component of blood that can regenerate tissue, therefore promoting healing. PRP is made by extracting the blood of the patient and treating it in a laboratory to increase its platelet concentration [2].
PRP is typically used to treat muscle injuries, ankle sprains, osteoarthritis, and tendon injuries. It is also involved in augmentation, which is the process of making a body part bigger through surgery [2].
According to data from Harvard [3], PRP is also used as an alternative to surgery. In some cases, PRP is used as a complement to speed up healing.
Many world-class athletes and celebrities had PRP therapies. The media coverage for the said treatment may be wide, but is PRP as effective as it is popular? Let’s find out.
PRP for Erectile Dysfunction: Is It Effective?
To know whether PRP is effective against erectile dysfunction, let’s see what scientific studies say.
A study published by the Investigative and Clinical Urology involved 17 patients with erectile dysfunction. The patients were treated with PRP from 2012 to 2017. They were observed immediately after the PRP shots were administered and during follow-up consultations. The patients were also subjected to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Their scores were recorded thereafter.
The study concluded that PRP is a safe and feasible treatment for patients with ED [3].
PRP for Erectile Dysfunction: How Does It Work?
Injecting the corpora cavernosa with platelet-rich plasma might help manage your ED symptoms. The corpora cavernosa are the two spongy tissues in your penis that contain most of the blood during an erection.
Platelet-rich plasma contains more than 300 bioactive proteins, adhesion molecules, and growth factors that can promote vascular tissue and nerve regeneration [4].
Since an erection requires proper blood flow to the penis, improving its tissues might help. This is where PRP comes in. It might be able to make your penile tissues healthier. As a result, you can readily get an erection whenever you want to have sex.
As promising as this sounds, only a few studies were done to investigate the effects of PRP on erectile dysfunction. One study involving nine men with ED were injected with PRP. Mild improvements were reported [5].
Side Effects of PRP
Platelet-rich plasma is unlikely to cause allergies [6] since the blood used is coming from you. However, like other types of injections, PRP shots may cause some complications, including the following.
- Headache [7]
- Infection
- Bruising
- Tissue Damage
- Pain, including on the site where PRP was injected [8]
How Much Does a PRP Shot Cost?
Based on the 2018 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, the average fee for a doctor performing a PRP shot is USD 683. It does not include the fees for the facility and the treatment itself.
The cost of the treatment may vary widely among countries, states, and clinics. On average, the cost of one PRP shot is USD 1,900. Some clinics may charge for more than USD 2,000.
Finding the Right Doctor
If you want to have a PRP treatment for erectile dysfunction, you can consult your doctor. He or she can answer your questions about platelet-rich plasma. There are a limited number of doctors who can administer PRP shots for erectile dysfunction, so your doctor might help refer you to a specialist.
According to a 2019 study, PRP treatment for ED is currently patented, with a worldwide total of 683 registered clinics [9].
PRP shots are usually performed by surgeons. However, laws on who can administer PRP treatment for ED may vary between states.
When looking for someone to inject you with PRP, please check their medical credentials first. If you can, you may also want to speak to one of their former clients to see how the treatment went.
Takeaway
Platelet-rich plasma as a treatment for erectile dysfunction shows a lot of potential. It can be an effective alternative treatment for ED someday.
However, despite the large presence of PRP clinics and the increasing fame of PRP, there are only a few scientific studies that investigated PRP as an ED treatment. They are not enough to establish an evidenced-based profile for the use of PRP for ED patients.
Since there is limited data about the clinical effectiveness and potential side effects of PRP, you might want to wait until it is accepted as an official treatment.
