Many men have some level of erectile dysfunction, sometimes occasionally, sometimes consistently. This may strain relationships and make a man frustrated.
Erectile dysfunction is common and treatable, and it’s often an early signal about your overall vascular health as well as a symptom on its own. Under the care of Calvin H. Van Reken, M.D., Reno Sparks MedSpa offers PRP injections designed to support your body’s own healing response and restore normal erectile function. Because Dr. Van Reken is also a board-certified internist, your evaluation can include a look at the broader health factors that may be contributing to ED.
What Is PRP For Erectile Dysfunction?
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a concentrated portion of your own blood containing a high volume of platelets and growth factors. When injected into penile tissue, these growth factors encourage new blood vessel formation, improve circulation and support the health of the tissue responsible for a firm, sustained erection.
PRP is designed to restore how tissue functions, offering more than a few hours of temporary relief. This treatment builds on the same technology used in our platelet-rich plasma services, specifically applied to erectile tissue.
How PRP for ED Works
Several growth factors found in PRP play a role in this process. Platelet-derived growth factor stimulates new blood vessel growth and repair of vascular smooth muscle. Vascular endothelial growth factor promotes the growth of new vessels in penile tissue, thereby directly improving blood flow. Transforming growth factor beta helps reduce inflammation and supports healthy collagen structure in the tissue.
Together, these growth factors target the two issues most often behind ED: poor blood flow and declining tissue quality. That is a meaningfully different approach than a medication taken an hour before sex.
What Are the Benefits of PRP for Erectile Dysfunction?
Improved Blood Flow and Sensation
Penile injections of PRP are often effective at restoring normal erectile function. Many men report improved blood flow to penile tissue, which can enhance both the firmness of an erection and overall sensation. Because PRP encourages new vessel growth rather than temporarily dilating existing vessels, the effect isn’t limited to a few hours after treatment.
Reduced Reliance on Daily or On-Demand Medication
Oral medications like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra need to be taken before every encounter, and they don’t work for everyone. Alprostadil injections, sold under brand names like Caverject and Edex, require a new injection immediately before each instance of intercourse and must be repeated every time.
PRP is different. A series of two to three sessions may produce lasting improvement, meaning fewer men need medication at all, and those who still benefit from it often need less.
A Root Cause Approach, Not Just a Workaround
Erectile dysfunction rarely exists in isolation. It’s frequently connected to blood pressure, blood sugar and cardiovascular health, the same conditions Dr. Van Reken treats every day through his internal medicine practice.
Because your provider is a board-certified internist and the physician performing your PRP injections, your evaluation can go beyond the injection itself to the health factors that may be contributing to the problem.
How Does PRP Compare to Other ED Treatments?
PRP vs. Oral Medications
- PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra work by temporarily increasing blood flow for a window of a few hours. They don’t address the tissue itself, and they aren’t effective for every patient, particularly men with more significant ED or certain underlying health conditions.
- PRP is administered on a treatment schedule rather than on demand, and it’s designed to support the tissue over the long term rather than provide a temporary window of function.
PRP vs. Alprostadil Injections
- Alprostadil, sold under the brand names Caverject and Edex, is injected directly before each instance of intercourse and must be repeated every time. This should not be confused with PRP.
- PRP injections are performed in a series of clinical sessions, typically one to three sessions spaced a few months apart, and are not repeated at every encounter.
PRP vs. Surgical Implants
- Penile implants are a permanent surgical solution typically reserved for men who haven’t responded to other treatments. They involve surgery, anesthesia and a real recovery period.
- PRP offers a non-surgical option that’s generally worth trying before more invasive options like implants.
Risks and Side Effects of PRP for Erectile Dysfunction
PRP uses your own blood, so the risk of allergic reaction or rejection is low compared to synthetic treatments. It is an injection-based procedure, so it’s worth understanding what to expect before moving forward.
Common, Minor Effects
Mild bruising, swelling or soreness at the injection site is the most frequently reported effect and typically resolves within a few days. Some men also notice temporary tenderness or sensitivity in the treatment area during this time.
Less Common Risks
As with any injection, there’s a small risk of infection at the injection site, though this is reduced by using a new sterile kit for each patient. Some men experience minimal or no improvement in erectile function, particularly with more severe or long-standing ED. Results and response can vary from patient to patient.
What We Do to Minimize Risk
Every injection at Reno Sparks MedSpa is performed personally by Dr. Van Reken using sterile, single-use equipment specific to your blood draw. Your overall health history and any contributing conditions are factored in before treatment begins.
If you have questions about how your specific health history might affect your risk profile, that’s exactly the kind of conversation to have during your consultation.
What to Expect During Your PRP Treatment
Personal Consultation and Health Review
Your appointment begins with a conversation about your symptoms, health history and any medications you’re currently taking. This step often extends beyond immediately relevant topics to consider factors such as blood pressure and blood sugar that may be contributing to ED. This helps determine the right treatment plan for your situation.
In-Office Blood Draw and Processing
A simple blood draw is performed in our office, then processed using a double-spin PRP system to concentrate platelets and growth factors more effectively than a single-spin method. Each patient receives a new, sterile, single-use kit specific to their own blood draw.
Numbing and PRP Injection
Once your PRP is ready, a topical numbing cream is applied to the treatment area to improve comfort. Every injection is performed personally by Dr. Van Reken, not delegated to a technician, and the procedure itself takes only a few minutes.
Aftercare and Follow-Up
After your session, we’ll review what to expect over the coming days and discuss the timing of any additional sessions. A single injection session may be sufficient, but often 2-3 sessions a few months apart are done for best results. These injections should not be confused with aprostadil (brand names Caverject and Edex), which is injected immediately before sex and repeated each time one has sex.
Post-Treatment Care & Recovery
Taking the right steps after your PRP treatment helps support healing and allows the growth factors to do their work. In the first few days, you may notice mild soreness, bruising or tenderness at the injection site as your tissue begins the natural repair process. This is expected and generally resolves on its own.
Avoid vigorous sexual activity and intense exercise for the first 24 to 48 hours to give the treatment area time to settle. Over-the-counter pain relief can help with any discomfort, though you should check with Dr. Van Reken before taking anything that affects blood clotting. Staying well hydrated also supports the healing process during this window.
Results build gradually over the following weeks as new blood vessels form and tissue quality improves. Following these guidelines allows your body to heal properly while supporting the long-term benefits of treatment.
A side effect of PRP penile injections is an increase in penile size. Typically, the penis will elongate about an inch, and the width will increase 20-30%. This is a byproduct of improved tissue health and blood flow, not the primary goal of treatment.
Who Is a Good Candidate For PRP for Erectile Dysfunction?
You may be a good candidate for PRP injections if you:
- Experience mild, moderate or severe erectile dysfunction
- Want to reduce your reliance on daily or on-demand ED medication
- Haven’t had success with oral medications alone
- Prefer to address the underlying tissue and blood flow rather than temporarily masking symptoms
- Are looking for a non-surgical option before considering an implant
- Have stable, well-managed diabetes or another chronic condition (uncontrolled conditions may need to be addressed first)
Even men with no current ability to achieve an erection are often helped by PRP, though your specific case will be discussed during your consultation. If you’re already established with Dr. Van Reken through our internal medicine services or concierge medicine program, your PRP evaluation can be coordinated as part of your broader health care.
Frequently Asked Questions About PRP For Erectile Dysfunction
How common is erectile dysfunction, really?
More common than most men assume. The Massachusetts Male Aging Study found that roughly 52 percent of men between 40 and 70 experience some degree of erectile dysfunction, and that number only climbs with age. If you’re dealing with it, you’re in good company, and it isn’t something you have to just accept as part of getting older.
Does the research actually support PRP for ED?
Yes, and the data has continued to build. Clinical studies show measurable improvement in erectile function scores after PRP treatment, with benefits still measurable at three and six months in several studies. One placebo-controlled trial found PRP patients were roughly four times more likely than the placebo group to see a clinically meaningful improvement within the first month, though results have varied somewhat across different clinical trials.
Can I use Viagra, Cialis or Levitra with PRP?
Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and similar drugs may be used in conjunction with PRP injections, but are often not needed. Men with less severe erectile dysfunction may respond better to treatment, but even those with no ability to get erect are often helped.
I have diabetes. Can I still get PRP?
Often, yes, as long as your diabetes is reasonably well managed. Uncontrolled blood sugar can affect healing and circulation, so Dr. Van Reken reviews this closely before treatment given his background in internal medicine.
Will PRP hurt?
There’s some discomfort, similar to other injection-based treatments, but topical numbing cream is used to help minimize it. Most men describe it as tolerable rather than painful, and any soreness afterward is usually mild. Discomfort typically settles within a few days.
Why Choose Reno Sparks MedSpa for PRP Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
Dr. Van Reken was named one of the Best Doctors in America® for two consecutive years, an honor awarded when a physician’s peers vote them into the top tier of their field. He is board-certified in both internal medicine and geriatrics, and he personally performs every PRP injection administered at our practice.
Reno Sparks MedSpa combines an aesthetics practice with a working internal medicine practice under one roof. Your ED treatment can be considered alongside your cardiovascular health, blood sugar and blood pressure, rather than in isolation. For patients who want an even closer level of ongoing physician access, our concierge medicine program is available. We speak Spanish, and our team is proud to serve Reno, Sparks and the surrounding Northern Nevada community.
Restore Your Confidence with PRP for Erectile Dysfunction in Reno, NV
Erectile dysfunction is common and treatable, and it’s worth addressing with a physician who looks at the full picture rather than just the symptom. At Reno Sparks MedSpa in Reno, NV, that means a treatment plan built around your blood flow, tissue health and overall medical history, performed personally by a board-certified internist who also happens to be your injector.
To learn whether PRP injections are right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Van Reken by calling (775) 571-4665 or contacting us online.
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