Does PRP Work for Erectile Dysfunction? What the Evidence Says

Over the past few years I have been asked about PRP for the penis a lot. Some men have seen adverts saying it is "natural regeneration, no need for pills for life". I understand that hope well, but as a doctor I want to describe the evidence honestly so that you can make an informed decision yourself.

What is PRP?

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is plasma with a higher concentration of platelets than normal blood. It is made by taking your own blood and spinning it in a centrifuge to separate it. Platelets contain proteins called growth factors, which in the laboratory help stimulate tissue repair and the growth of new blood vessels.

For ED, the idea is to inject PRP into the penile tissue in the hope that blood vessels and nerves will recover. PRP has long been used in orthopaedics, dermatology and hair loss, but its use in the penis is still fairly new.

What does the latest evidence say?

Placebo-controlled trials

• Poulios and colleagues (J Sex Med, 2021) studied 60 men with mild to moderate ED and found that more men in the PRP group had a clinically meaningful improvement than in the placebo group at 6 months.
• Masterson and colleagues (J Urol, 2023) studied 61 men given two PRP injections one month apart compared with placebo and found no difference from placebo, in either erection scores or blood flow measured by ultrasound.
• Further research in 2024 comparing PRP with saline also found no clear difference in IIEF-5 scores.

Some meta-analyses (studies combining results) from 2024–2025 found there may be a small benefit, especially in mild vascular ED, but the authors themselves noted that the studies were small, PRP was prepared in very different ways, and follow-up was short.

What professional organisations say

• ISSM (International Society for Sexual Medicine) considers PRP appears safe when done by qualified practitioners, but evidence of effectiveness is still conflicting and more research is needed.
• SMSNA (Sexual Medicine Society of North America) takes the position that restorative treatments (PRP, stem cells and shockwave therapy) should mainly be used within research settings.
• AUA and EAU do not recommend PRP as a standard ED treatment.

In simple terms, PRP is not yet a proven treatment. It may help some men, but we can't yet say who will benefit or how long the effect lasts.

Advertising claims to be wary of

Advertising claim

• Permanently restores blood vessels
• No more medication needed
• Uses your own blood, zero risk
• Increases penis size

The facts

• No long-term evidence confirms this
• Studies have not shown this consistently
• Low risk, but not zero
• No evidence supports this

vs

AUA and EAU do not yet recommend PRP as a standard ED treatment.

Risks and side effects

• Pain, bruising and swelling at the injection site
• Infection, if sterile technique is poor
• Bleeding or a blood clot (haematoma)
• Not enough long-term safety data yet

Controlled trials have found very few serious side effects, but every injection into the penis should be done by a doctor in a properly equipped facility.

Who might consider it, and where to start

Before thinking about PRP, go through these steps first:

1. Pin down the cause of the ED, including blood vessels, hormones, medicines and psychological factors. See What causes erection problems
2. Control other conditions and change your lifestyle, which have much clearer evidence
3. Try the main evidence-based treatments, such as PDE5 inhibitors. See Tadalafil vs sildenafil
4. Address anxiety and your relationship, for example with Sensate Focus

After that, if you are still interested in PRP, the men who might fit the research profile are those with mild to moderate vascular ED, who understand the results are uncertain and can accept the cost. Men with severe ED or nerve-related ED are even less likely to benefit.

1. 1Find the causeBlood vessels, hormones, medicines and mind
2. 2Control other conditionsLifestyle changes, which have clearer evidence
3. 3Core treatmentE.g. PDE5 inhibitors as assessed by your doctor
4. 4Mind and partnerAnxiety and relationship, e.g. sensate focus
5. 5Then consider PRPUnderstand results are uncertain; measure before and after

Questions to ask before deciding

• How is the PRP prepared, how many injections, and how far apart?
• How will results be measured, for example with the IIEF-5 questionnaire before and after?
• If there is no improvement, what is the next plan?
• What are the risks, and who can I contact if there is a problem?

Get advice at Dr. Kris Clinic

We give straightforward advice about PRP, starting with finding the cause of your ED and using treatments with clear evidence first. If you and your doctor decide together to try PRP, we will explain the limits of the evidence, the risks and how results will be measured clearly from the start. Consultations are available in English, in Surat Thani or online. For the overall treatment picture, read Erectile dysfunction (ED).