Vaginal injection of platelet-rich plasma improves sexual function

A pilot single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections into the anterior vaginal wall resulted in greater improvements in sexual function compared with a saline placebo. The study assessed changes in premenopausal women over a 6-month period, providing clinical data for an area of women’s health that has seen increasing public interest.^1,2

The trial (NCT05769283) enrolled 52 sexually active participants between 18 and 50 years of age who did not have severe sexual dysfunction. These participants were randomly assigned to 2 groups: 26 (50.0%) received a one-time PRP injection into the distal anterior vaginal wall, and 26 (50.0%) received a control injection of saline. The researchers utilized the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) score to measure outcomes.¹

Clinical outcomes and sexual function scores

At the 6-week primary end point, women in the PRP group demonstrated a median total FSFI score increase of 2.2 (95% CI, 0.6–4.8), whereas the control group showed an increase of 0.3 (95% CI, −1.7 to 2.3). By the 6-month follow-up, the PRP group maintained a greater increase of 1.6 (95% CI, −0.2 to 4.1) compared with 0.8 (95% CI, −1.1 to 2.7) in the control group.

Although the differences in subscale scores were not statistically significant compared with the control, women treated with PRP showed improved FSFI scores in the categories of desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm. Specifically, the 6-week change scores for the PRP group included:

• 0.6 (95% CI, 0.1–1.1) for desire
• 0.8 (95% CI, 0.2–1.2) for arousal
• 0.7 (95% CI, 0.2–1.2) for lubrication
• 1.0 (95% CI, 0.1–1.5) for orgasm.

Patient-reported outcomes via the PGI-I score showed that 69.2% of the PRP group reported improved sexual function at both 6 weeks and 6 months, whereas the control group reported improvements of 42.3% and 34.6%, respectively.

Protocol distinctions and medical commentary

The Cellular Medicine Association (CMA) reported that although the study represented progress, it did not utilize the full O-Shot procedure. Charles Runels, MD, inventor of the O-Shot and founder of the CMA, said, "We are very encouraged to see a randomized controlled trial in a high-impact journal showing that PRP injections into the vaginal area can improve sexual function. The authors cited our original work, and the principle is the same. However, they did not perform the full O-Shot procedure,” Runels said in a news release.²

Runels, who first published peer-reviewed work on PRP injections for female sexual dysfunction in 2014, noted that the investigators in this trial injected PRP only into the anterior vaginal wall and omitted clitoral injection.

"Their results are helpful because they confirm that even part of the procedure can be beneficial. At the same time, our prior studies suggest that including the clitoris and following the full protocol may produce a greater effect,” Runels said.

According to CMA, the O-Shot is a specific, trademarked medical protocol involving “defined methods of preparation, activation, and injection technique.” Runels emphasized the importance of distinguishing between generic injections and established protocols.

"When the name O-Shot is used without following the protocol, it can create confusion and less-than-optimal outcomes. This is not simply an injection—it is a defined method developed over more than a decade, supported by research and real-world clinical experience."

The randomized controlled trial reported no serious adverse events, supporting the safety profile of anterior wall PRP injections.¹ The researchers concluded that the data demonstrated a compelling improvement in sexual function for premenopausal women.

References:

1. Clarke B, Gaddam N, Garcia B, et al. Vaginal Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Sexual Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000006256
2. New study supports PRP for female sexual function; O-Shot protocol cited. Cellular Medicine Association. Press release. April 7, 2026. Accessed April 7, 2026. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-study-supports-prp-for-female-sexual-function-o-shot-protocol-cited-302735032.html