Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for Penile Rejuvenation

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a natural treatment that reinjects platelets and growth factors into your body, which have been gathered from a sample of your own blood. This produces a healing response in the body to repair and rejuvenate an area.

It has been used safely in many therapeutic areas such as sports medicine, dentistry, orthopedics, hair loss, and cosmetic medicine. PRP therapy for penile rejuvenation is a newer application of the PRP technique and is used to treat erectile dysfunction and to heighten sexual satisfaction.

Our bodies have a remarkable capacity to heal themselves. Regeneration of new tissue is accomplished by the natural production of stem cells. PRP is in the category of regenerative autologous treatments which involves concentrated platelets, rich in bioactive proteins, which release growth factors to stimulate cellular regeneration and accelerate tissue repair.

The technique makes use of the plasma (the liquid portion) of your blood, separating it from the suspended red blood cells, and injecting the platelets and their associated growth factors to help rejuvenate body tissues. Platelets are an important part of wound healing and tissue repair and this technique makes use of their natural ability to restore tissues.

PRP also contains pluripotent stem cells that have the potential to develop into several different cell types to replace those that may be lacking in number or function. It also contains Growth Factor Proteins (cytokines) that can stimulate cells to proliferate and repair tissue, increasing volume, blood supply, and rejuvenating tissue structure and function.

The potential benefits of PRP penile rejuvenation include:

• Improved libido
• Increased erection quality
• Heightened sexual pleasure
• Increased sexual stamina
• Increased penile girth and length
• Improved blood flow and circulation

To prepare the penis for PRP therapy, you will be asked to do some things before treatment starts including daily use of a vacuum erection device (VED) and low dose tadalafil. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire on sexual health at different time frames to assess and analyze the effectiveness of the treatment. Photographs may also be taken by the practitioner for a “before and after” comparison later, particularly if erectile problems or penile abnormalities are being treated.

The PRP injection is performed in the office. It should take about 40 – 60 minutes from start to finish. A numbing cream (topical local anesthetic) will be applied to the areas that are going to be injected. A small sample of blood is drawn (similar to a lab test sample) and placed in a centrifuge that spins the blood at high speeds, separating the platelets from the other components. The concentrated platelet-rich component is then injected into specific areas of the penis to restore erectile function.

The procedure is considered comfortable with a mild pinching or pressure sensation during treatment. There are generally no side effects from PRP treatment injected into the penis, but you can expect the effects of the numbing cream to last for 30 – 60 minutes after treatment, at which point you may notice mild soreness which can last for 24 hours or so. There may be redness or mild bleeding at the points of injection. You may drive yourself home after the procedure. Most people can resume normal exercise and activities, including sexual activity on the same day.

To optimize effectiveness an initial series of PRP injections are performed over a period of 4 – 8 weeks followed by maintenance treatments over the following years. Results are expected to last up to 1.5 years, but each patient is different and results achievable will vary per individual, dependent on the symptoms treated and the age of the person.