The jab that could revolutionize the treatment of erectile dysfunction by using a man’s own blood
A one-time injection of his own blood could be a new treatment for erectile dysfunction.
In a recent study, researchers gave the injection to men undergoing shockwave therapy – which is already used to help people with erectile dysfunction (ED) – and found that its effectiveness increased significantly.
Six weeks after the combination treatment, the men, some of whom had been suffering from erectile dysfunction for 19 years, reported that their sexual performance had almost doubled on average, compared with only 25 percent of those who received the shockwave therapy alone.
ED is usually the result of narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the penis, resulting in insufficient blood flow to achieve an erection. This can be the result of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, for example.
The theory is that the growth factors stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, repair the muscle cells of the penis, and reduce inflammation (a contributing factor to erectile dysfunction).
PRP injections are becoming increasingly popular for conditions ranging from sports injuries to hair loss
First-line treatment consists of medications such as sildenafil (brand name Viagra), which improve blood flow to the penis.
But about a third of men find that these drugs do not help. They are also not suitable for men who take heart medication that dilates the blood vessels (because blood pressure can become too low, for example).
Shockwave therapy, which fires painless shock waves into the penis, is said to help repair damaged tissue and blood vessels. This therapy is not offered on the NHS, but is available in private clinics.
A 2022 study in The American Journal of Men’s Health found that the treatment worked best in moderate cases.
In the new study, 160 men received two sessions of shockwave therapy per week for six weeks, or shockwave therapy plus an injection of their own blood.
A sample of their blood was centrifuged in a machine to produce platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which has a high concentration of growth factors. This was then injected into the base of the penis at the start of the six-week trial.
PRP injections are becoming increasingly popular in treating a variety of conditions, from sports injuries to hair loss.
The theory in this case is that the growth factors stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, repair the muscle cells of the penis, and reduce inflammation (a contributing factor to ED).
In addition to an improvement in symptoms, men who received the combination treatment also had a measurable improvement in penile blood flow, compared with those who received shockwave therapy alone, urologists from RUDN University in Moscow reported earlier this year in the journal European Urology Supplements.
Testosterone levels also increased slightly in the combined group.
Previous research has shown that PRP can also influence hormone production.
Professor Raj Persad, a consultant urologist at Bristol Urology Associates, described the new approach as ‘innovative’, adding: ‘Testosterone stimulates male libido, while blood flow and nerve regulation are important for the ‘mechanics’ of erectile function. It will be interesting to see the long-term effects of this approach.’