Vaginal PRP Therapy Boosts Sexual Function in Premenopausal Women, Randomized Trial Finds
USA: A recent randomized controlled trial published in Obstetrics & Gynecology has found that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections into the anterior vaginal wall may enhance sexual function in sexually active premenopausal women without severe sexual dysfunction. The study, led by Bayley Clarke, MD, from the Section of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, provides emerging evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of PRP in this setting.
The single-center, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at a urogynecology clinic in the United States between June 2023 and September 2024. A total of 52 premenopausal women aged 18 to 50 years, all sexually active and without severe sexual dysfunction, were enrolled and randomized in a 1:1 ratio. Participants received either a one-time PRP injection (2–4 mL) or a saline placebo (4 mL), administered into the distal anterior vaginal wall at three predefined sites.
The primary endpoint of the study was the change in the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score at 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes included FSFI changes at 6 months, domain-specific FSFI scores, Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I), pain scores assessed by visual analog scale (VAS), frequency of sexual activity, and safety outcomes. All participants completed both short-term and long-term follow-up, and results were analyzed using an intention-to-treat approach.
Key findings were as follows:
- Women receiving PRP showed greater improvement in overall sexual function compared to the control group.
- At 6 weeks, the median FSFI score increased by 2.2 points in the PRP group versus 0.3 points in the placebo group.
- At 6 months, the improvement remained higher in the PRP group (1.6 vs 0.8), with statistically significant differences at both time points.
- A higher proportion of women in the PRP group reported improvement in sexual function at 6 weeks (69.2% vs 42.3%).
- This difference further increased at 6 months, with 69.2% in the PRP group versus 34.6% in the placebo group reporting perceived benefit.
- Improvements were observed in specific domains including desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm in the PRP group.
- However, these domain-specific improvements were not statistically significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons.
- No serious adverse events were reported in either group.
- Procedural pain scores were higher among women receiving PRP compared to those receiving saline injections.
The authors noted that their findings indicate a potential role for anterior vaginal wall PRP injections in improving sexual function among premenopausal women without severe dysfunction. While the results are encouraging, further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings and establish long-term efficacy and safety.
Reference:
Clarke, Bayley MD; Gaddam, Neha MD; Garcia, Bobby MD; Iglesia, Cheryl B. MD; Podolsky, Robert PhD; Dieter, Alexis A. MD. Vaginal Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Sexual Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology ():10.1097/AOG.0000000000006256, March 19, 2026. | DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000006256
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