P-Shots or Priapus, aptly named after the Roman god of sexual health, are a fast-growing trend in the world of sexual health. Seeing the marketing behind them by some urologists and medical spas, one would think it was a guaranteed way to improve erectile health. However, is this all hype or is there something to it?
Let’s start by understanding what exactly a p-shot is and if it has any value in medicine and erectile function. These shots are essentially injections of platelet-rich plasma into the penis. Platelet-rich plasma is prepared by drawing the patient’s blood and spinning it in a centrifuge. This spinning action separates the various components of the blood, including plasma, which contains the platelets necessary for the healing process. After the plasma is collected, it is re-injected into the penis with the promise of rejuvenating the tissue.
What is special about platelet-rich plasma?
Platelet-rich plasma and stem cells have been an area of great interest in the last decade. Many medical specialties have dealt with these treatments, the most notable of which is orthopedics. Orthopedic surgeons nationwide have been using injections of platelet-rich plasma into joints to stop joint degeneration known as osteoarthritis. Although this practice is relatively common, long-term data are still lacking. In other words, we see some benefits but don’t know their extent.
You may also have seen PRP injections marketed for hair regrowth, especially in men with male pattern baldness, known as androgenetic alopecia. With a combination of medical treatments and PRP, some men have reported slowing and even regrowth of hair. Again, there is not much data showing the effectiveness of PRP, although it is widely used in dermatology, medical spa and hair restoration practices.
Even aesthetic practices have jumped on the PRP bandwagon, offering what’s known as a vampire facial where, along with other aesthetic treatments, patients are injected with platelet-rich plasma from their own blood.
With so many applications, the concept of PRP for penile health may have some validity in theory. After all, platelet-rich plasma contains nutrient-dense cells that could potentially help regenerate tissues. The real question is, does PRP offer any real benefit when injected into the penis? And does the supposed benefit justify the cost of treatment, which can be quite substantial? Let’s examine the claims made and whether they hold water.
The circumference will increase
This is one of the most egregious claims made by doctors, medical spas and practices that advertise PRP. All men are gifted with a certain size anatomy, which is generally determined in our early 20s when our tissues are as healthy as they’ve ever been. The idea that injecting platelets into older tissue will somehow increase the penis in length or girth doesn’t seem to make much sense. If there is any growth, it could be due to a number of factors, including an inflammatory reaction to the injection itself. Any legitimate practice advertising this service will likely emphasize the fact that any gains are very temporary.
It can help with erectile dysfunction
Moderate to severe erectile dysfunction is mainly caused by a lack of blood flow to the penis. This is due to a phenomenon known as atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up along the walls of the arteries. Because the arteries that supply the penis are significantly smaller than other areas of the body, they tend to become blocked more quickly, which is why we often see erectile dysfunction as a potential precursor to more significant artery disease, including coronary artery problems. With that said, injecting PRP into the penis would not address this problem because it simply cannot open the arteries.
However, there is a psychogenic component to erectile dysfunction, especially in younger patients. If patients are concerned about their performance and have difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, the placebo effect that PRP could provide may legitimize these shots, at least in the eyes of some patients.
Improve the quality of erection
Finally, some claims are made that PRP can improve the quality of an existing erection. Once again, the most likely effect is psychological, with patients believing that they have somehow been enhanced in the sexual health department. That said, we don’t know enough to completely dismiss this notion. As we’ve discussed before, there is some research into PRP as a potential tissue rejuvenator – so this claim could be valid. That said, no rigorous study shows this to be the case.
Should you get P-shots?
As with many alternative sexual wellness questions, our answer is: if you have the money and choose a legitimate and experienced practitioner to perform a relatively safe procedure whose risks you understand, we don’t necessarily discourage you from doing so. In other words, if you’re not doing damage and you’re okay with potentially losing money on something that doesn’t work, we won’t stand in your way.
However, there is a certain point where patients need to understand that their erectile function revolves around something none of us can control – age. It’s something many of us struggle to deal with, certainly in our 40s and 50s. After all, each of our bodies is different, and one of the great advantages of modern urology is that we have effective treatments for almost every patient and every circumstance of sexual well-being. Therefore, we want to emphasize that you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Natale and understand more about your options using tried and true methods that have been rigorously tested in clinical trials.
