The P-Shot: Benefits, Costs & Side Effects

Would you inject your own blood into your penis if it meant better sexual function? 

While it may sound like a gimmick or merely something for shock value, the P-shot^Ⓡ (or Priapus shot) is actually a well-researched medical procedure used to improve sexual health in men.

The P-shot for men is a penis-specific version of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment — a treatment where a supply of the “good stuff” in your blood is drawn from your arm, concentrated and then injected at the site where those components are needed.

We know: needles, “experimental” treatments and your penis don’t exactly seem like an ideal combo on paper. But there is some evidence that suggests this treatment may be beneficial for improving male sexual dysfunction and sexual performance.

We’re not saying this is a new miracle erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment — research is still in an early phase, and a claim like that is far from supported at this point. 

But for people who are experiencing ED and finding current treatments ineffective, the potential P-shot benefits may be worth considering. 

As we mentioned above, the Priapus shot can be used for male enhancement and to improve sexual activity. But what does this mean exactly? Is it efficient for erectile dysfunction? What is the P-shot used for?

Named after the Greek god of sexual health, the Priapus shot was first used by Dr. Charles Runels (of Kardashian vampire facial fame — bet you never thought you’d read those words in an article about treating erectile dysfunction).

Platelet-rich plasma treatment is said to be successful for several urologic conditions, dermatologic conditions and musculoskeletal injuries, including:

• Erectile dysfunction

• Muscle, nerve, tendon and joint injuries

• Peyronie's disease, a condition where abnormal scarring causes penile curvatures and shape changes

• Stress urinary incontinence

• Male enhancement

• Hair loss

It may also be an effective treatment for hair loss.

As we mentioned, P-shots are a version of PRP treatment, which is a simple process that’s a bit like a blood transplant.

A PRP treatment usually follows these steps:

• A healthcare professional draws a blood sample from your body, typically from your arm.

• The blood is centrifuged to separate into three components — platelet-rich plasma, platelet-poor plasma and red blood cells.

• The platelet-rich plasma is extracted with a syringe. Then a local anesthetic is used to numb the injection site and the PRP extract is injected into whatever body part you’re trying to treat — which is the penis, in the case of P-shots.

What actually happens once the platelets are injected is less clear. According to one study, the concentrated platelets seem to result in a large increase in various growth factors wherever they’re injected.

This could mean that the cells and tissue injected into your penile tissues promote growth and increase blood flow — a necessary part of getting erections — to give you firmer erections for better sex.

Recent research has looked to P-shot treatment as one of the latest ED treatments, with studies showing promising results.

In one study of PRP injections, none of the patients experienced complications after treatment, and the injections were considered effective for ED. However, this was a very small study of only 17 patients.

A slightly larger study of over 60 men with mild to moderate ED also found that two plasma-rich platelet injections taken a month apart were safe. However, researchers didn’t find any difference between the PRP treatment and a placebo.

In short, P-shots are still considered a novel treatment, and we’ll need to see a lot more research before we can support its effectiveness as a viable ED treatment.

Wondering what to expect when it comes to the P-shot cost? 

The price tag of this procedure can vary, based on factors like your geographic location, the healthcare provider performing the procedure (it's only done by a few trained healthcare professionals) and more logistics.

A 2020 report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found the average fee for a PRP procedure was just short of $1,000, not including other expenses like prep and aftercare.

But where you get your treatment done can affect the cost — for example, a single procedure averaging between $1200 and $1800 at Bella Medical Aesthetics in Maryland, while the same procedure could cost upwards of $1800 at Miami Aesthetic Institute in Miami, Florida.

You should also know that since Priapus shots are often deemed a cosmetic treatment, your health insurance may not cover them.

Of course, as with any medication or treatment, there can be risks involved with P-shots and other ED injections. A risk to be aware of is that the treatment may not work. 

Reported P-shot side effects have generally included:

• Redness

• Swelling

• Pain and discomfort at the site of injection

• Bleeding

• Bruising

• Infection

• Allergic reactions, although these are rare

If you’re still looking for a solution for erectile dysfunction, vampire penile facials aren’t the only way to go.

One of the most researched and proven effective ways to treat ED is the use of medications known as PDE5 inhibitors. These medications block an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5), which then helps increase blood flow to your penis.

You’re probably familiar with some PDE5 inhibitors, like:

• Viagra® (sildenafil)

• Cialis® (tadalafil)

• Stendra® (avanafil)

These medications are available as either oral tablets or convenient chewable hard mints.

Of course, PDE5 inhibitors work best for physical causes of erectile dysfunction. But if you deal with depression or find yourself plagued by sexual performance anxiety in the bedroom, you could benefit from counseling. Talk therapy can help many causes of psychological ED, whether it’s relationship issues, an anxiety disorder or work stress.

You can identify what triggers your anxiety or stress with a mental health professional in online therapy.

If you’re looking at the P-shot to enhance what you already have, you can look into alternative options like penis enlargement surgery. We also recommend reading up on whether or not penis enlargement pills actually work.

There are also other options to consider like vacuum erection devices, injectable medications, and implants.

And for extra help increasing sexual function and sexual satisfaction, lifestyle changes like cutting back on alcohol and quitting smoking are always a good idea for your general health and penis health. 

So — you’re dealing with erectile dysfunction or want to improve your sex life. Out of the many treatment options available, P-shots might be standing out to you. If you’re curious about trying this treatment, here’s what you need to know:

• The Priapus shot (or P-shot) is a potential treatment for erectile dysfunction that involves injecting plasma-rich platelets collected from your own blood into your penis. It’s a penis-specific type of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment.

• PRP is FDA-approved and has been used for wound healing, as well as to treat musculoskeletal injuries, Peyronie's disease and urinary incontinence. So far, it seems like a safe treatment.

• Despite its safety, recent studies have shown conflicting results regarding the effectiveness of PRP therapy. Studies on P-shots have also been limited in size.

If you’re considering PRP as a treatment for your ED, you should also consider the many other treatment options that may work as well or better. Talk to a healthcare provider about treatments like erectile dysfunction medications, which can be taken alongside PRP treatment.