The potency and safety of platelet-rich plasma and its therapy protocol for erectile dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Abstract* Background Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a novel treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) that is considered to be a cost-effective option. It has demonstrated positive outcomes and minimal adverse effects. By injecting PRP into the intracavernous tissue, it has the potential to promote angiogenesis and neuroregeneration, leading to a potential permanent improvement in erectile performance. The potency and safety as well as the variety of PRP administration protocols in the treatment of ED are the objectives of this paper. Method Using certain terms, a systematic search was done on three different databases: Science Directs, Scielo, and PubMed. Papers about PRP therapy for EDs within the last decade, be randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and be original studies with freely available full-text content were included in this study. This article omitted letters to the editor, reviews, and editorials regarding PRP and ED. Results Three RCT were included in this studies. The improvement is observed at one month, three months, and six months after the treatment, compared to the baseline. PRP group participants met the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) in the International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) at a higher percentage than those in the placebo group at both one month and six months. Injection of PRP leads to a superior enhancement in the IIEF-EF score, compared to a placebo, in patients suffering from ED at one month, three months, six months. Conclusion PRP is a proven therapeutic technique that has been shown to greatly enhance ED. Yet, to establish uniform guidelines for PRP in treating erectile dysfunction, further investigation into PRP, particularly in protocol development, is imperative.