Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for Erectile Dysfunction and Peyronie's Disease: A Systematic Review of Evidence

Introduction: Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Peyronie's Disease (PD) are debilitating medical conditions affecting patients' quality of life (QoL). Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are one of the various emerging approaches proposed to treat these medical conditions.& nbsp;Aim: To describe the evidence of the potential role of PRP injections in ED and PD.& nbsp;Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review according to the PRISMA statement using the following databases in November 2019: The National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Ovid Medline, Cochrane, Scopus, Embase, and Embase classic. The search was performed using keywords drawn from studies on the use of PRP in ED and PD in clinical and preclinical studies.& nbsp;Results: Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria for review, including 12 studies on the use of PRP in humans and 6 on the use of PRP in rats. Ten studies reported on the efficacy of PRP in ED exclusively, 7 in PD exclusively and one in both conditions. In humans, 6 and 3 studies showed promising results in PD and ED, respectively. No major complications were noted. Unwanted minor side effects were noted by studies reporting on PD, including mild penile bruising, ecchymosis, hematomas as well as transient hypotension noted in 2 out of 90 patients.& nbsp;Conclusion: PRP injections for the treatment of ED may be promising, but no recommendation can be made because of scarce evidence. Safety and effectiveness of this therapy in the treatment of ED and PD require further preclinical and clinical studies with standardized protocols to gain an adequate insight into its potential implications. Patients should be offered to be part of such trials to better understand PRP potential. Copyright (C) 2021, International Society of Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have been proposed as a potential treatment approach for erectile dysfunction (ED) and Peyronie's Disease (PD). However, there is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of PRP in treating ED and PD, and further preclinical and clinical studies are needed.