Platelet-Rich Plasma is prepared by taking a small sample of blood and subjecting it to centrifugation (spinning the blood sample at a high rate of speed), which separates red blood cells and white blood cells from the remaining plasma. The remaining plasma is “packed” with platelets that remain behind, hence the term Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). PRP contains numerous Growth Factors which have the ability to promote the repair and healing of damaged or injured tissue throughout the body.
Growth Factors (GFs) are signaling molecules that have the ability to call upon the cells to regenerate and repair. They regulate the healing cascade, including inflammation and cell proliferation. Examples of Growth Factors include (to name just a few):
- VEGFs (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors) which promote growth and new generation of vascular endothelial cells
- TGF-B (Transforming Growth Factors-Beta) which promote growth of epithelial, endothelial cells and wound healing
- PDGF (Platelet Derived Growth Factors) which promote growth and new generation of blood vessels and collagen production
Once PRP is collected and injected into the “injured” tissue, PRP releases Growth Factors which then trigger the natural healing process.
PRP is used in various medical treatments, such as nerve injury, orthopedic injuries, plastic surgeries, cosmetic surgeries and male sexual health, including, but not limited to, the following examples:
- Musculoskeletal Injuries – Application of PRP on the injured areas decreases the healing time, which further decreases the chances of surgery. As a result, PRP is an alternative to surgery for the musculoskeletal injury.
- Plastic Surgery – It promotes early wound healing.
- Cosmetic Benefits – It has been proved that PRP injections are very successful in treating wrinkles of the face, hands, and neck.
- Hair restoration – PRP injections into the scalp promote hair growth in both men and women.
- Nerve Injuries – The first ever treatment of nerve injury using PRP was done in 2012, proving it to be a new application of PRP.
- Men’s Sexual Health – PRP, when injected into the corpora cavernosa, results in the formation of new blood vessels, healthier penile tissue and stronger, harder, more sustaining erections. PRP used to restore erectile function is commercially referred to as P-Shot® or Priapus Shot® in literature published by other providers.
- Harder erections
- More spontaneous erections
- More sustainable erections
- Enhanced sensation and stronger orgasms
- Increased length and girth (See question #5)
- Improved sexual performance
- Combined with ™ and Stem Cell Therapy, it is used to treat Peyronie’s disease.
Many patients report an increase in length and girth, and the added sensation of the penis feeling “fuller” after the treatment. While not yet proven, it is conceivable that with a healthier blood flow and more frequent erections, along with tissue rejuvenation, the penis can in fact gain “substance”, resulting in increased size, both in flaccid and rigid states.
The effects of PRP therapy in ED treatment have been clinically shown to last at least two to three years after the initial treatment. A maintenance program of scheduled treatments can be offered to help maintain the effects over a longer period of time.
Because PRP is processed from the patient’s own blood (autologous PRP), there is virtually no risk of an allergic reaction or rejection. When PRP is injected into the corpora cavernosa, you may experience minimal pain, pinpoint bleeding, and redness.
The centrifuge machine used to harvest PRP is an FDA-cleared 510(k) Class II medical device. The method to harvest PRP was FDA approved in 2009. PRP therapy itself is a procedure and is therefore not regulated by the FDA. Its application is used according to the areas of specialty and is considered off label.
According to the guidelines of the International Cellular Medical Society for the use of PRP, the following contraindications (conditions under which PRP should not be used) were published:
Absolute contraindications:
- Platelet dysfunction syndrome
- Critical thrombocytopenia
- Hemodynamic instability
- Septicemia
- Local infection at the site of the procedure
Relative contraindications:
- Consistent use of NSAIDs within 48 hours of procedure (which inhibits blood clotting)
- Corticosteroid injection at treatment site within 1 month
- Systemic use of corticosteroid within 2 weeks
- Tobacco use
- Recent fever or illness
- Cancer – especially hematopoietic cancer or bone cancer
- Hb (hemoglobin) level less than 10
- Platelet count less than 105
The whole process takes about 30 minutes. Other than avoiding taking NSAIDs 48 hours before the treatment, there are no other necessary preparations, and there is no down time. You can resume your normal daily activities after each treatment. You can use ICP or oral ED pills as appropriate or engage in sexual activity without any restrictions.
There are many factors that can influence the number of PRP treatments required, including your goals, the severity of your ED, age, health status and other concurrent therapies being offered. While it can be used by itself, more often than not, it is used in combination with other therapies such as ™ or Stem-Cell Therapy. An average of two to six PRP applications are often required before lasting improvement is observed. Generally speaking, the more severe the ED, the more treatment you will need.
The goals of ™ and PRP therapy are the same: the repair and regeneration of healthy tissue. They work synergistically, and together, they produce greater results.
Generally, it takes 4-6 weeks after each PRP treatment for the blood vessels to form. It may take up to 3 months for the full benefits of the treatment to be realized. Some patients however report improvements as soon as one month after the treatment.
- Return of nighttime and morning erections
- Experience spontaneous erections during sexual arousal
- Experience more erections throughout the day
- Erections lasting longer
- Increased girth and length and sense of “fullness”
- Shorter refractory period
- Increased effects of ED medications
First, we encourage you to experience “regular” erections during the treatment period and for 30 days after the treatment. You can achieve this goal using:
- Penile pump, 10 minutes a day at 10 mm/Hg, twice a day; or more commonly
- Oral ED medications if that is appropriate for your condition, 2- 3 times a week; or
- Penile injection therapy 2-3 times a week
Currently it is not covered by insurance but the office visit often is. We can provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance provider to file a claim regarding the PRP injections received, if your individual plan provides this benefit.
There are currently other providers of PRP therapy who are charging an average of $2000 per treatment. At Clinic for Him, PRP therapy starts at $1000 for each treatment. Depending on the number of treatments required, different pricing options and/or more economical packages may be offered. Please verify pricing with your provider.
Maintenance therapy refers to the additional intermittent therapy after completing a full course of treatment. The benefits of maintenance therapy are to maintain and improve the effects already achieved. Maintenance therapy can be offered once every few months, depending on the severity of the condition or the goals of the treatment.
No. There is no guarantee in medical treatment. With , PRP™ or Stem-Cell Therapy™, we cannot predict any outcome.
In addition to ™ and PRP™, patients can now access the advanced benefits of Stem Cell Therapy. For more information, please refer to the section about Stem Cell Therapy.
