PRP Therapy: How Platelet-Rich Plasma Is Used

Overview

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is used in many different areas of medicine. Whether you have concerns about sexual function as a woman or as a man, would like a non-surgical option for the appearance of your face or breasts, or have joint pain, you may have heard about PRP. It is being used and studied for all of these concerns; the evidence is stronger for some uses than for others, and results vary.

How Can One Product Be Used for So Many Concerns?

To understand PRP, it helps to understand the various conditions women and men face, and how a single product made from your own blood is being used in different areas.

When we address women’s sexual wellness, we may look at the face, the breasts and the organs involved in healthy sexual function. When we address men’s sexual dysfunction, we mean the health of the penis. Considering aging in both genders, we also realize that both women and men face joint problems.

PRP for the Face and Breast

Aging women may feel that their face is sagging, dropping and drooping, and this can affect how they feel about themselves. Many proactive women seek facial rejuvenation, with options ranging from surgery to lasers to fillers. Some people choose PRP as a non-surgical option aimed at a more natural, subtle result; research on PRP for facial rejuvenation is still limited.

As the breast ages, it can lose its normal position and firmness, and some women seek a breast lift. Some women choose PRP as a non-surgical option, but it is not a replacement for a surgical breast lift, and research on this use is limited.

Women’s Sexual Wellness

Women can also experience sexual dysfunction, and it can place real strain on relationships. The main types of sexual dysfunction in women include:

• Low desire for sex
• Female sexual arousal disorder, where it is difficult to become aroused during sexual intercourse
• Female orgasmic disorder, where it is difficult to reach or experience orgasm
• Dyspareunia, a condition where women experience real physical pain during sexual intercourse

PRP is being studied for some of these concerns, but the research is early, and PRP is not an approved treatment for them. Talk with your physician about all of your options.

Men’s Sexual Health

Men can also experience sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction (ED). PRP is being studied as a possible option to support erectile function; studies so far are small, results are mixed, and it is not an approved treatment for ED. Erectile problems can affect self-esteem and relationships, and they can also be an early sign of heart disease or other conditions, so a medical evaluation is important. Where a serious condition is involved, AWAREmed offers supportive and adjunctive care alongside conventional medical treatment. Learn more about testosterone and sexual health.

PRP for Joints

PRP is also used for joint problems. Have you faced a situation where your joints are painful on and off, and whenever you use painkillers, the pain goes away for a while but then comes back later? PRP is one option some people consider. For knee osteoarthritis, some studies suggest PRP may help reduce pain for some people, while others show little benefit. Ask your physician whether it may be appropriate for you.

What Is the Common Thread?

What is the common thread between the face, the breast, the vagina, the penis and the joints and their dysfunction? Many of these problems involve damaged or aging tissues. When the breast loses its firmness, it is often because the connective tissues around it are getting older, not necessarily damaged. Sagging of the face may be due to aging or to injury that has worn out the tissues. Vaginal concerns may relate to tissue changes from childbirth and age. Similarly, in the aging penis, connective tissue and blood flow may decline with age and with health conditions such as heart disease.

How Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Work?

Human blood contains a liquid component called plasma, and within that liquid are red cells, white cells and platelets. Platelets play a key role in clotting blood. Platelets also carry hundreds of proteins commonly referred to as growth factors. These growth factors are present in every person’s blood and play a role in the body’s natural healing of tissues.

PRP is prepared by separating the red and white blood cells from the plasma, which concentrates the platelets and their growth factors. This platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the targeted area, with the aim of supporting the body’s natural tissue repair.

It is normally not a long process. A blood sample is taken from the patient and processed to obtain platelet-rich plasma, which is then injected into the targeted tissue.

Is PRP Right for You?

Are you concerned about a sagging face or breasts, or experiencing joint deterioration or pain? Dr. Dalal Akoury, MD, MPH, the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, can evaluate your concerns and discuss whether PRP may be an option for you. The procedure itself is usually short, around 30 minutes.

What About Side Effects?

Because PRP is made from your own blood, the risk of an allergic reaction is low. However, like any injection, PRP can cause side effects such as pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site, and, rarely, infection or injury to nearby nerves or blood vessels. Many people return to their usual routine soon after the procedure, but recovery varies. Ask our team about cost before your treatment.

Learn more about regenerative medicine at AWAREmed, or book a consultation to discuss whether PRP may be right for you. You can also call (423) 430-6170.

Related reading: The Vampire Facelift (PRP facial): a comprehensive guide and intimacy and sexual wellness: about the O-Shot (PRP).