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Erectile dysfunction is common, but that does not make it any less frustrating.
Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection can affect confidence, relationships, sexual satisfaction, and overall quality of life. It can also have many different causes, from circulation and hormone changes to medications, stress, metabolic health, or other medical conditions.
One regenerative option that men increasingly research is the P-Shot, also known as the Priapus Shot.
The P-Shot uses platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, prepared from the patient’s own blood. At The Re/ Clinic in Sandy, Utah, our current P-Shot protocol may also incorporate a human tissue allograft as part of the individualized treatment plan.
But does the P-Shot actually improve erections? What happens during treatment? Does it hurt? And how much downtime should you expect?
Here is what patients should know.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: What Is the P-Shot?
The P-Shot is a regenerative sexual-wellness procedure that typically uses platelet-rich plasma derived from the patient’s own blood.
A blood sample is collected and processed to concentrate the platelet-rich portion of the plasma. That preparation is then injected into targeted areas of penile tissue.
Platelets contain numerous signaling proteins and growth factors involved in the body’s normal response to tissue injury.
The idea behind PRP treatment for erectile dysfunction is that introducing a concentrated platelet preparation may influence the local tissue environment involved in erectile function.
However, the clinical evidence remains mixed.
Some randomized controlled studies have reported improvements in erectile-function scores following PRP injections, while another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found no significant difference between PRP and placebo.
Because of those limitations, the American Urological Association currently classifies PRP for erectile dysfunction as experimental and intracavernosal stem-cell therapy as investigational.
That does not mean there is no scientific interest in the treatment.
It means patients should understand that the evidence is still developing and that a specific result cannot be guaranteed.
Watch: Dr. John Dame Explains the P-Shot
Video Transcript
Dr. John Dame:
Men, listen up! This treatment might be the perfect thing for you. I’m talking about the P-Shot.
Most of you have heard about it. Let me explain what it is.
So essentially, we take growth factors from your own body and mix them with stem cells and inject them into the penis.
What that does is help with the number one issue that men are facing, which is erection quality and duration. That’s a blood flow issue, and these growth factors help increase the blood flow into the penis.
Don’t worry, we numb you ahead of time in a way that makes it benign. It doesn’t hurt.
And in follow-up, we just ask that you rest three to five days, or a little longer if there’s any bruising, which can happen, and then resume function as usual.
If you think the P-Shot might be something you’re interested in, give us a call.
Transcript lightly edited for punctuation and readability without changing the speaker’s meaning.
Important Context About the Video
The video gives a short overview of how The Re/ Clinic approaches the P-Shot, but there are a few points worth explaining in more detail.
First, erectile dysfunction is not always simply a blood-flow problem.
Vascular disease is an important cause of ED, but erectile function can also be affected by:
- Hormones
- Diabetes
- Neurological conditions
- Medications
- Pelvic surgery
- Psychological factors
- Relationship factors
- Alcohol or substance use
- Sleep and overall metabolic health
That is why persistent erectile dysfunction deserves a proper medical evaluation rather than automatically choosing one procedure.
Second, The Re/ Clinic’s current P-Shot service information describes the procedure as using PRP derived from the patient’s own blood together with a human tissue allograft.
Patients should ask exactly which biologic product is being recommended for them, where it comes from, how it is regulated, and what evidence applies to that specific product.
Finally, while researchers are studying PRP and cell-based approaches for erectile dysfunction, neither should be presented as guaranteed to increase blood flow, restore erectile function, or replace established ED treatments.
1. What Is PRP?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma.
Platelets are components of the blood best known for helping with clotting, but they also contain signaling proteins and growth factors involved in the body’s response to tissue injury.
To create PRP:
- Blood is drawn from the patient.
- The blood is processed, usually using a centrifuge.
- Components of the blood separate based on density.
- The platelet-rich portion is collected.
- The PRP is prepared for injection.
Because PRP comes from your own blood, it is called an autologous treatment.
Different PRP systems can produce preparations with different:
- Platelet concentrations
- White blood cell concentrations
- Red blood cell contamination
- Injection volumes
- Activation methods
That variability is one reason research results involving PRP are sometimes difficult to compare directly.
2. How Does an Erection Work?
An erection depends on a coordinated interaction between:
- The nervous system
- Blood vessels
- Smooth muscle
- Hormones
- Psychological stimulation
During sexual stimulation, chemical signals cause smooth muscle within penile arteries and erectile tissue to relax.
That allows more blood to enter the corpora cavernosa, the two erectile chambers running through the penis.
As those chambers fill, venous outflow is compressed, helping maintain the erection.
Problems can occur anywhere along this pathway.
For example, erectile dysfunction may involve:
- Insufficient arterial blood flow
- Difficulty maintaining blood inside the penis
- Nerve dysfunction
- Low testosterone or another hormone issue
- Medication effects
- Psychological factors
- Structural penile conditions
- Cardiovascular or metabolic disease
This is why the phrase “ED is a blood-flow issue” can be useful as a simple explanation but does not describe every patient’s condition.
3. How Is PRP Being Studied for Erectile Dysfunction?
Researchers have become interested in PRP because of the signaling molecules released by activated platelets.
Laboratory and animal research has investigated whether those signals may influence:
- Blood-vessel biology
- Endothelial function
- Tissue remodeling
- Nerve-related pathways
- Local inflammatory responses
Human studies then began asking whether intracavernosal PRP injections could improve measurable erectile function.
Most clinical trials use standardized questionnaires such as the:
International Index of Erectile Function Erectile Function domain, or IIEF-EF
Researchers compare scores before and after treatment to determine whether an improvement is large enough to be considered clinically meaningful.
The research is still relatively small compared with established ED therapies.
4. What Does the Research Actually Show?
This is where the answer becomes more interesting.
The studies do not all agree.
A 2021 Randomized Trial Reported Improvement
A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine included 60 men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.
Participants received either two PRP treatments or placebo injections.
At six months, 69% of evaluable participants receiving PRP reached the study’s threshold for clinically meaningful improvement compared with 27% receiving placebo.
No adverse events were reported in that study.
Those results were encouraging.
A 2023 Randomized Trial Found No Benefit Over Placebo
Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in The Journal of Urology reached a different conclusion.
Sixty-one men with mild to moderate ED were randomized to PRP or placebo.
Although erectile-function scores improved within both groups, researchers found no significant difference between PRP and placebo in their primary outcome.
They also found no meaningful changes in penile Doppler measurements at six months.
The researchers concluded that the treatment appeared safe in their study but was not more effective than placebo.
Another 2023 Study Reported Positive Results
A separate randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 100 men reported greater improvements in erectile-function scores and Doppler parameters among patients who received PRP compared with saline placebo.
Again, the findings were encouraging, but differences between studies illustrate why larger and better-standardized trials are needed.
What Do Recent Reviews Say?
Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in 2024 combined the available studies.
One meta-analysis of four randomized controlled trials involving 413 participants found that PRP was associated with better erectile-function outcomes at several follow-up points compared with placebo. However, the authors also acknowledged that conclusive evidence remains limited.
Another 2024 systematic review emphasized significant variability between studies and the need for stronger research before PRP can be considered an established ED treatment.
What Does the AUA Say?
The current American Urological Association ED guideline states that:
- PRP therapy for ED should be considered experimental
- Intracavernosal stem-cell therapy should be considered investigational
The guideline therefore does not consider either an established standard treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Bottom Line
There is enough human research to make PRP for ED scientifically interesting.
But there is not enough consistent evidence to promise that a P-Shot will improve erectile function for every man.
5. What Happens During a P-Shot at The Re/ Clinic?
The Re/ Clinic offers the P-Shot as part of its men’s sexual-wellness services in Sandy, Utah. Its current service information describes the treatment as combining platelet-rich plasma with a human tissue allograft.
The exact protocol should be reviewed with your provider, but a typical appointment may involve several steps.
Step 1: Consultation
Before treatment, the provider should review:
- Your symptoms
- Erectile-function concerns
- Medical history
- Medications
- Sexual-wellness goals
- Previous ED treatments
- Relevant health conditions
The goal is to understand whether the P-Shot is reasonable to consider and whether another issue needs to be addressed first.
Step 2: Blood Draw
Blood is collected from your arm.
That blood is then processed to create the PRP preparation.
Step 3: Numbing
A local anesthetic or other numbing protocol is used to make the injections more comfortable.
Dr. Dame specifically discusses this in the video because injection discomfort is one of the first concerns many patients have.
Step 4: Injection
The PRP and any other components included in the patient’s treatment protocol are administered into targeted penile tissue.
The Re/ Clinic’s current service page describes the procedure itself as relatively quick.
Step 5: Aftercare
Patients receive instructions regarding:
- Activity
- Sexual activity
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Exercise
- When to contact the clinic
Follow the instructions given for your specific procedure rather than assuming every P-Shot protocol has identical aftercare.
6. Does the P-Shot Hurt?
This is probably one of the first questions most men want answered.
The penis is a sensitive area, so numbing is an important part of the procedure.
In the video, Dr. Dame explains that the treatment area is numbed beforehand to minimize discomfort.
The Re/ Clinic’s current P-Shot page similarly describes discomfort as minimal and notes that a fine needle is used during treatment.
Individual experience will vary.
Possible temporary effects may include:
- Tenderness
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Mild soreness
- Temporary sensitivity around injection sites
Patients should contact the clinic if symptoms are severe, worsening, unusual, or concerning.
7. What Is Recovery Like After a P-Shot?
One advantage of the P-Shot is that it generally does not involve a surgical recovery.
Dr. Dame recommends allowing approximately three to five days before resuming sexual activity, with additional time if bruising or discomfort persists.
The clinic’s current service information also recommends temporarily avoiding sexual activity and heavy exercise following treatment.
Your individual instructions may differ depending on:
- Treatment performed
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Other procedures performed at the same visit
- Medications
- Medical history
The safest approach is to follow the specific aftercare instructions provided by your medical team.
8. When Can You Have Sex After a P-Shot?
Based on Dr. Dame’s current patient guidance in the video, patients are generally asked to wait approximately three to five days.
If bruising, swelling, or tenderness remains, waiting longer may be appropriate.
Why wait at all?
Immediately after injections, penile tissue has undergone a procedure involving multiple injection sites. Giving the area time to settle may reduce unnecessary irritation and discomfort.
Your provider should give you specific clearance based on how you are doing after treatment.
9. Who Might Consider a P-Shot?
The P-Shot is most commonly discussed among men concerned about sexual function, particularly erectile quality.
Potential reasons someone may ask about it include:
- Mild or moderate erectile dysfunction
- Reduced erection firmness
- Difficulty maintaining an erection
- Sexual-performance concerns
- Interest in regenerative sexual-wellness options
- Incomplete response to another ED strategy
But asking about the procedure does not automatically mean you are a good candidate.
A provider should first consider whether your symptoms could be related to another medical issue.
10. Why Erectile Dysfunction Deserves a Medical Evaluation
One of the most important things to remember is that erectile dysfunction is a symptom.
It can sometimes be the first noticeable sign of a broader health problem.
A proper ED evaluation may consider:
- Cardiovascular health
- Blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
- Testosterone
- Other hormone abnormalities
- Medication side effects
- Neurological conditions
- Sleep
- Mental health
- Alcohol or substance use
- Previous pelvic or prostate surgery
- Relationship or performance factors
The American Urological Association emphasizes evaluating ED systematically and choosing treatment through shared decision-making rather than assuming there is one correct therapy for every patient.
This matters even if you ultimately decide to pursue a P-Shot.
Treating erectile dysfunction responsibly means understanding what may be contributing to it.
11. P-Shot vs P-Upgrade: What’s the Difference?
These treatments are sometimes confused because both involve men’s sexual wellness, but they are designed for different goals.
P-Shot
The P-Shot is a regenerative treatment focused primarily on sexual function and erectile concerns.
At The Re/ Clinic, it incorporates PRP and may include a human tissue allograft.
P-Upgrade
The P-Upgrade is primarily an aesthetic penile enhancement procedure.
The Re/ Clinic currently uses hyaluronic acid filler to increase penile circumference and fullness.
The P-Upgrade therefore focuses primarily on:
- Girth
- Fullness
- Appearance
- Proportion
while the P-Shot focuses more directly on regenerative sexual-wellness goals.
The two treatments can be discussed separately or as part of a broader men’s sexual-wellness consultation depending on the patient’s goals.
12. P-Shot vs Shockwave Therapy
Another common comparison is:
They work very differently.
Involves injections of PRP and, depending on the clinic protocol, other biologic components.
Uses externally applied acoustic energy rather than injections.
The Re/ Clinic currently offers both as separate sexual-wellness services and notes that some patients may combine treatments depending on their individualized plan.
Current AUA guidance classifies low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy as investigational for ED, similar to the guideline’s cautious approach to other regenerative ED treatments.
Neither treatment should be assumed to be automatically better.
The discussion should start with:
What is causing the erectile dysfunction?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the P-Shot really work?
Research is mixed.
Some randomized clinical trials have reported better erectile-function outcomes after PRP than placebo, while another well-designed randomized trial found no significant benefit over placebo.
Recent meta-analyses suggest potential benefit, but additional high-quality standardized research is needed.
Is the P-Shot FDA-approved for erectile dysfunction?
PRP is not an FDA-approved drug treatment specifically indicated for erectile dysfunction, and the AUA currently considers PRP therapy for ED experimental. Intracavernosal stem-cell therapy is considered investigational.
What is injected during a P-Shot?
Traditional P-Shot protocols use platelet-rich plasma derived from the patient’s own blood.
The Re/ Clinic’s current protocol also describes incorporating a human tissue allograft.
Your provider should explain exactly what will be administered before treatment.
Does the P-Shot use stem cells?
Protocols vary between clinics.
Dr. Dame’s video describes The Re/ Clinic’s procedure as combining the patient’s growth factors with stem cells. The clinic’s current website describes the treatment as PRP combined with a human tissue allograft.
Patients should ask what specific biologic product is being used and how it is characterized.
Does the P-Shot increase blood flow?
Improving erectile function and penile vascular physiology is one of the reasons PRP is being investigated.
However, the clinical evidence is mixed. A 2023 randomized placebo-controlled trial found no significant change in penile Doppler parameters between PRP and placebo at six months.
It would therefore be too strong to guarantee increased penile blood flow after treatment.
How painful is the P-Shot?
Numbing is used before the procedure to reduce discomfort.
The Re/ Clinic describes the procedure as involving minimal discomfort, although individual experiences vary.
How long should I wait to have sex after a P-Shot?
Dr. Dame recommends approximately three to five days, with additional time if bruising or tenderness remains.
Always follow the individualized aftercare instructions given by your provider.
How long does a P-Shot appointment take?
The injection portion is relatively brief, although the full appointment also includes preparation, blood collection, PRP processing, numbing, treatment, and aftercare instructions.
The Re/ Clinic’s current service information describes the injection procedure itself as approximately 15 minutes.
How quickly will I notice a difference?
There is no guaranteed timeline.
The Re/ Clinic notes that some patients report changes within several weeks, but responses vary.
Clinical studies have generally measured outcomes over periods ranging from one month to six months rather than assuming an immediate response.
Can the P-Shot replace Viagra or Cialis?
Patients should not stop or alter prescribed ED medication based solely on receiving a P-Shot.
Established ED treatments and regenerative approaches have very different levels of evidence.
Discuss medication changes with the provider who manages your erectile dysfunction.
Is a P-Shot the same as penile filler?
No.
The P-Shot is a regenerative injection treatment.
Penile filler, including The Re/ Clinic’s P-Upgrade, uses hyaluronic acid filler primarily for penile girth and appearance.
Concerned About Erectile Function? Start With the Cause.
If erection quality or duration has changed, you do not have to simply accept it.
But you also do not need to decide that you want a P-Shot before understanding what may be causing the problem.
At The Re/ Clinic in Sandy, Utah, our men’s sexual-wellness services include P-Shot treatment, P-Upgrade, P-Tox, shockwave therapy, hormone evaluation, and other individualized options.
The first step is a private conversation about:
- What you are experiencing
- Your health history
- Medications
- Previous treatments
- Sexual-wellness goals
- What options are reasonable to consider
Schedule a confidential consultation with The Re/ Clinic to discuss erectile function and whether the P-Shot may be appropriate for you.
Call: 385-240-1000
Location: 9035 S 700 E, Sandy, UT 84070
References
- American Urological Association. Erectile Dysfunction: AUA Guideline. The current guideline considers platelet-rich plasma therapy experimental, intracavernosal stem-cell therapy investigational, and low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy investigational for erectile dysfunction.
- Poulios E, et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma Improves Erectile Function: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2021. This randomized trial reported greater improvement among men receiving PRP compared with placebo.
- Masterson TA, et al. Platelet-rich Plasma for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Urology. 2023. This randomized trial found no significant efficacy difference between PRP and placebo.
- Shaher H, et al. Is Platelet Rich Plasma Safe and Effective in Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction? Randomized Controlled Study. Urology. 2023. This placebo-controlled trial reported improvements in several erectile-function measures following PRP.
- Asmundo MG, et al. Platelet-rich plasma therapy in erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease: a systematic review of the literature. World Journal of Urology. 2024. The review highlights both the growing clinical literature and significant evidence limitations.
- Mao Q, et al. The efficacy of platelet rich plasma in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Aging Male. 2024. Four randomized studies involving 413 patients were included.
- The Re/ Clinic. P-Shot in Sandy, Utah. Current clinic information regarding PRP, human tissue allograft use, treatment process, aftercare, and sexual-wellness services.
- Utah Code § 58-1-512. Stem Cell Disclosure. Current Utah law requires applicable providers performing certain non-FDA-approved stem-cell therapies to provide specified disclosures, including in applicable advertising.