My OB-GYN advertises the O-Shot — platelet-rich plasma to rejuvenate the vaginal tissue that promises relief for incontinence, dryness, low libido, and many other benefits. Is this a scientifically proven remedy, and are there any risks associated?
—Veronika
My initial reaction to the idea of injecting anything into my vaginal wall is ouch! But injecting tissues with platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is an idea that is being explored for a number of health problems, from hair loss to osteoarthritis.
PRP is made by taking the patient’s own blood and concentrating the platelet cells. A doctor can then inject that concentrate into tissues where the platelet will release factors that promote healing and tissue regeneration. It seems to be especially useful in areas that don’t have good blood flow, like tendons and cartilage.
When it comes to vaginal health, there have been a few studies exploring the efficacy of PRP for female sexual dysfunction and stress urinary incontinence. This review summarizes data from six prospective and one randomized controlled trial that included 327 women.
The review found that while PRP for both sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence is promising, the quality of the data available is variable and the studies are quite small. There have been no adverse effects reported from injecting PRP into the vaginal wall, but based on the data, you’re likely having a painful injection for no benefit.
There are other treatment options for the vaginal symptoms of perimenopause. Vaginal estrogen has been shown to effectively treat vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms in peri- and postmenopausal women and is safe for most women.
The takeaway: I would probably skip the vaginal PRP injections until there is more evidence.
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