Abstract
Purpose: Approximately 50% of women seeking urogynecological evaluation experience female sexual dysfunction (FSD). A potential option for the treatment of FSD is a Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection into the clitoral body and vagina – which is being marketed as a way to increase sexual arousal and satisfaction. However, due to limited evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of PRP for these purposes, our primary objective was to evaluate clinical trials involving the use of PRP injections for the treatment of FSD using the US National Library of Medicine’s clinical trial database.
Design Methods: We performed a cross sectional analysis of trials registered in the clinical trials database pertaining to the utilization of PRP in relation to FSD on April 5, 2024. We included trials involving the injection of PRP into the female genitalia region with the primary outcome of treating sexual dysfunction or gynecological conditions resulting in reduced sexual functioning.
Results: Following our search query, we included 18 studies from the 110 total results. The excluded trials were not related to FSD or PRP. Of the 18, only 33.3% were completed. Only 3 published results with consistent evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of the use of PRP injections in the treatment of conditions contributing to FSD. Of note, none of the studies found statistically significant improvements in sexual satisfaction or arousal.
Discussion / Conclusion: While current marketing of PRP is towards improved sexual satisfaction, evidence from registered clinical trials, though limited, does not support these claims. However, completed trials show promising outcomes related to the safety and efficacy of PRP treatment for FSD related conditions. Thus, to establish PRP as accepted therapy for FSD and sexual satisfaction, there is a need for more extensive, longitudinal clinical trials with larger sample sizes. This can be accomplished with added efforts in recruiting study participants and normalizing FSD discussions.
Design Methods: We performed a cross sectional analysis of trials registered in the clinical trials database pertaining to the utilization of PRP in relation to FSD on April 5, 2024. We included trials involving the injection of PRP into the female genitalia region with the primary outcome of treating sexual dysfunction or gynecological conditions resulting in reduced sexual functioning.
Results: Following our search query, we included 18 studies from the 110 total results. The excluded trials were not related to FSD or PRP. Of the 18, only 33.3% were completed. Only 3 published results with consistent evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of the use of PRP injections in the treatment of conditions contributing to FSD. Of note, none of the studies found statistically significant improvements in sexual satisfaction or arousal.
Discussion / Conclusion: While current marketing of PRP is towards improved sexual satisfaction, evidence from registered clinical trials, though limited, does not support these claims. However, completed trials show promising outcomes related to the safety and efficacy of PRP treatment for FSD related conditions. Thus, to establish PRP as accepted therapy for FSD and sexual satisfaction, there is a need for more extensive, longitudinal clinical trials with larger sample sizes. This can be accomplished with added efforts in recruiting study participants and normalizing FSD discussions.
Original language | American English |
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Pages | 31 |
State | Published - 13 Sep 2024 |
Event | 2024 Symposium on Tribal and Rural Innovations in Disparities and Equity for Health - Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah, United States Duration: 13 Sep 2024 → 13 Sep 2024 |
Conference
Conference | 2024 Symposium on Tribal and Rural Innovations in Disparities and Equity for Health |
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Abbreviated title | STRIDE 2024 |
Country/Territory | United States |
City | Tahlequah |
Period | 13/09/24 → 13/09/24 |