Will P-Shots Make a Man’s Penis Bigger, Longer, and Harder?

The P-shots — the P stands for Priapus, an ancient Greek god of fertility and the male genitalia — were designed by the same Dr Charles Rune that came to fame when the Kardashians underwent his ‘vampire facial’ therapy. What do the P-shots really do, and do they really work? We ask consultant urologist Professor Dr Christopher Ho Chee Kong.

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

FEATURED EXPERT PROFESSOR DR CHRISTOPHER HO CHEE KONG Consultant Urologist School of Medicine Taylor’s University

If we want to get medical, the proper name for P-shots is plasma-rich platelet (PRP) intracavernosal injections.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PLATELETS

P-shot involves injection of one’s own platelet-rich plasma or PRP into an area of the penis.

• This will supposedly help to achieve a stronger erection, better orgasm, even increase penis size.
• According to Professor Dr Ho Chee Kong, the theory behind this is that the PRP will act on cells in the targeted area.
• The PRP itself contains high levels of growth factors and cytokines.
• These substances can increase the number of cells via a process called mitogenesis. They also act to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels from existing ones, via a process called angiogenesis.

These changes can stimulate — no pun intended — changes that can improve the strength and quality of a man’s erection as well as his sex life.

P-SHOTS HELP TO OVERCOME ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION?

It is also speculated that P-shots may help a man with erectile dysfunction, by changing or stopping the issues that cause the problem.

This could be possible through the mechanisms triggered by P-shots that can help stimulate growth of nerve cells, protect these nerve cells, repair damaged tissues, and prevent or stop inflammation.

However, Evidence Is Still Inconclusive

Animals only

• One issue, Professor Dr Ho points out, is that much of the research done on P-shots were performed on animals.
• While some of this research shows positive results, we can’t conclusively say that P-shots will work the same way on humans.

Limited research on human participants

While some research is done on humans, the number is low and tends to involve only a small number of participants.

“Only 1 randomized, placebo-controlled trial has been published to date regarding the use of PRP intracavernosal injections as a single therapy for erectile dysfunction,” Professor Dr Ho explains.

• He elaborates that while this study has shown an impressive response in erections in a highly selected cohort of men, there is a snag: the study only followed the men up to 6 months after their treatment.
• “More long-term follow-up data is needed for us to obtain information such as long-term impact of these injections on a man’s erectile function — how long can the positive effects last, whether there are any long-term side effects, etc,” Prof Dr Ho says.

GETTING A P-SHOT AT THE CLINIC

• The doctor obtains your blood sample.
• Your blood sample is processed in an autologous platelet separator to obtain platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
• A torniquet, a wearable device that applies pressure, is fitted around the base of your penis
• The PRP will be injected into your penis.
• The torniquet is removed after 20 minutes.

P-SHOTS CAN BE COMBINED WITH OTHER TREATMENTS FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Professor Dr Ho shares that P-shots can be and have been used in conjunction with other treatments to improve the chances of obtaining positive results.

These other treatments include phosphodiesterase type 5 (PED5) inhibitors, vacuum pump, and low intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT).

However, Professor Dr Ho also notes that there are not many studies done that provide conclusive evidence for the benefits of treatments such as Li-ESWT either.

Vacuum pumps by large is quite safe when used properly. He notes that to date, though, there is only 1 published abstract on the effectiveness of combining PRP injections and vacuum pump.

SO, THE RM 1 MILLION QUESTION: SHOULD MEN GO FOR P-SHOTS?

“You should first try more established treatments such as PDE5 inhibitors, vacuum pump, prostaglandin injections, etc,” advises Professor Dr Ho.

“P-shots are still considered an experimental treatment,” he adds, “and this treatment has not been endorsed by any medical regulatory body to date due to the lack of conclusive evidence.”

Furthermore, results of P-shots are not guaranteed, and the cost of getting these shots can be high.

Hence, go for the more established, more medically proven options first, and consider P-shots only as an option after the more established options fail to yield desired results.

Even then, go to a qualified doctor to get those P-shots!

References:

1. Anastasiadis, E., Ahmed, R., Khoja, A. K., & Yap, T. (2022). Erectile dysfunction: Is platelet-rich plasma the new frontier for treatment in patients with erectile dysfunction? A review of the existing evidence. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 4, 944765. https://doi.org/10.3389/frph.2022.944765
2. Poulios, E., Mykoniatis, I., Pyrgidis, N., Zilotis, F., Kapoteli, P., Kotsiris, D., Kalyvianakis, D., & Hatzichristou, D. (2021). Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) improves erectile function: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 18(5), 926–935. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.03.008