PRP for ED (Platelet-Rich Plasma for Erectile Dysfunction)

PRP Tube
An example of a PRP Tube

PRP is short for Platelet-Rich Plasma. Platelets are tiny pieces of protein in the blood whose main function is to plug up small spots of bleeding. Plasma is the liquid component of blood. If you centrifuge a tube of blood and drive all the solid components (mostly cells) to the bottom of the tube, the clear golden colored fluid floating atop the cells is plasma. So imagine taking a tube of blood, getting rid of all the cells and half the plasma, what you have left is a bit of plasma containing a lot of platelets. This is Platelet-Rich Plasma.

PRP Tube
An example of a blood tube that is used to collect whole blood which is then centrifuged and prepared into PRP.

What is so special about PRP?

The thing about platelets is that they do not just help with clotting. They contain all sort of healing and growth factors. For the science details please read this article by Liu and his team published in May 2020 in Cells. So the theory goes that if we are able to concentrate all these healing chemicals found in platelets into where they are needed most, we can speed up the healing. In fact, this treatment of injecting PRP into injured areas has been proven to work in the field of Orthopedics. PRP injections are used successfully to treat injured muscles, ligaments and tendons. PRP has also been used in the field of Aesthetic Medicine especially to help with hair re-growth.

PRP Tube after centrifuge
After centrifuge, the components of the blood are separated. The plasma portion mixed in with platelets forms PRP.

What about using PRP in Men's Health?

PRP use in Men’s Health is a relatively new but evolving and exciting field. PRP has been used to treat a variety of Men’s Health conditions including Erectile Dysfunction and Peyronie Disease (bent or crooked penis). Some Doctors also claim that PRP injections can increase the girth and length of the penis. In this article, we will focus our discussion on using PRP to treat Erectile Dysfunction.

So does PRP really work for ED?

To be fair the jury is still out on that. Although the scientific theory is sound, we still lack substantial real world data to answer this question conclusively. A review paper published in the Journal Sexual Medicine Reviews concluded that PRP is safe and “has the potential for treating male sexual dysfunction“.

The most promising study I am aware of was conducted by Epifanova and his colleagues in 2017. Out of 75 patients they recruited, 60 were given PRP injections and 15 were given what was effectively a sham treatment. The group that received the PRP not only experienced an improvement in symptoms. The measured velocity of blood flow in their penises also improved. 

Interestingly, a study conducted by Ruffo and his team in 2018 found that combining PRP injections with ESWT (Shock Wave Therapy) to treat ED had synergistic effects.

ED1000
The ED1000 by Medispec. I use this machine in my clinic to conduct shock wave therapy for various Men's Health conditions including ED.

What my experience has been using PRP to treat ED

Of course I would first have to say that there are many causes of ED and the most important thing is to first see a Doctor and get properly diagnosed. So that the Doctor can then recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.

That said, I must say my overall experience using PRP to treat ED has been a positive one. My patients tolerate the process really well. The only complication my patients have experienced so far (touch wood) is some bruising which resolves within a week. My patients respond well to the therapy and experience an improvement in their erections.

I also agree with Ruffo and his team that combining PRP injections with ESWT treatment is synergistic. And allows patients to extract more benefit from each treatment.

What is the process like and how many treatments are needed?

The process is rather straightforward and take only 15 to 20 minutes. First, blood is drawn from the arm. This is no different from drawing blood for a standard blood test. Next, I use either a numbing cream or numbing injection to prepare the patient so that he is completely comfortable during the injection process.

The blood drawn from the arm is then centrifuged and the PRP is prepared. The PRP is then injected into the penis. There is no downtime at all. Patients can immediately get up and resume their usual activities.

Different studies recommend different number of treatments. They usually range from 1 to 4. And the recommended interval between treatments also range from 1 to 2 weeks. You will have to speak to your Doctor to find out what is right for you. 

PRP Centrifuge
Different PRP regimes require different preperations. This is one example of a centrifuge machine used to prepare PRP.

In Conclusion......

There is mounting scientific evidence that PRP is a safe effective treatment for ED. However, at the time of writing this article, it is still not a recognized standard treatment for ED. Unlike PDE5 Inhibitor medicines such as Viagra and ESWT which are must more established treatments. More research needs to be done.

If you think you can benefit from PRP, have a frank discussion with your Doctor and understand the potential benefits and pitfalls to aid you in making an informed decision.

2 Comments

    • Hi Xian. Yes we do offer PRP treatment at our clinic. The cost ranges from $600 to $900 depending on the treatment. Please do WhatsApp us on +65-97505037 or email us at doc@drtanmedicalcenter.com.sg if you wish to set up an appointment. We are located at Novena Medical Center #09-30.

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