If you've looked beyond a Viagra prescription, you've probably run into the P-Shot - surrounded by hype on one side and dismissal on the other. Here's the honest middle. The P-Shot uses growth factors from your own blood to support the tissue and blood flow behind erections. It can help the right man, but it's not magic, and the evidence is still building. For a broader look at treatment options, see Arbour's erectile dysfunction program.
Quick Read Summary
- The P-Shot is an injection of PRP (platelet-rich plasma) - healing growth factors spun out of your own blood - into penile tissue.
- The idea is to improve the tissue and blood flow that erections depend on, not just borrow function for a few hours like a pill.
- The evidence is mixed but improving: recent pooled trials show benefit, while some reviews still call it limited.
- It works best as part of a plan - alongside shockwave therapy and hormone optimization - not as a one-and-done shot.
- It is not a guaranteed cure and not a penis-enlargement procedure.
What the P-Shot actually is
"P-Shot" (Priapus Shot) is a brand name for a specific PRP procedure. We draw a small amount of your blood, spin it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, numb the area, and inject the concentrated plasma into the erectile tissue. Over the following weeks, those platelets release growth factors that signal the tissue to repair, build new tiny blood vessels, and improve circulation - the same PRP idea used in joints, skin, and hair. The visit takes about an hour, there's no real downtime, and you avoid sex for 24–48 hours.
Why we offer it. The growth factors in concentrated platelets are the same signals the body uses to build new small blood vessels and repair tissue, which is exactly what erectile tissue depends on. A 2024 meta-analysis in The Aging Male pooled four randomized controlled trials covering 413 men and found PRP outperformed placebo on International Index of Erectile Function scores at one, three, and six months. A separate 2024 review in Sexual Medicine Reviews pooled three randomized trials and described PRP as a safe and effective option for mild-to-moderate ED. That is a real evidence base for a treatment drawn from your own blood.
Why this targets the real cause of ED
An erection is a blood-flow event, and most ED is a blood-vessel problem - the small penile arteries struggle before the bigger ones do. Pills like Viagra amplify the signal for a few hours but don't fix the tissue. Regenerative treatments like PRP and shockwave aim at the tissue itself. That's the whole premise of ED is a blood-flow problem, not an age problem, and the P-Shot is often paired with shockwave therapy.
What the evidence honestly shows
I'll give you the honest read, not the sales pitch. On the positive side, a 2025 pooled analysis of randomized trials found PRP significantly improved erection scores versus placebo, with rare, mild side effects, and a 2025 study found it reduced curvature in Peyronie's disease (a condition that bends the penis). On the cautious side, the Cleveland Clinic and some urology reviews still call the overall evidence limited and inconsistent, partly because studies use different PRP recipes and methods. The fair summary: PRP is a reasonable regenerative option with a growing evidence base and a low risk of harm - better than the skeptics say, less certain than the marketing claims. It's most useful for men with mild-to-moderate, blood-flow-related ED.
Who it helps - and who it doesn't
Best fits: a man in his 40s–50s with gradual, mild-to-moderate ED; a man whose testosterone is being optimized who still has a mechanical gap; a man with early Peyronie's; or a man who'd rather address the tissue than take a daily pill. It's not the right tool for severe end-stage vascular disease, uncontrolled heart disease (needs medical optimization first), or ED that's mainly nerve-related (such as after prostate surgery). Low testosterone should be checked either way - see testosterone therapy and SHBG.
What I see in clinic: the P-Shot rarely works as a solo act. The men who get real, lasting results are the ones who also fixed blood flow, hormones, weight, and sleep - the shot is one layer of a plan, not the whole plan. For more on the sexual health peptides kisspeptin and PT-141, see our guide to kisspeptin vs PT-141.
What it's not
Being straight with you: the P-Shot is not a guaranteed fix, not a substitute for a heart and metabolic check (new ED can be an early warning sign), not a permanent one-time cure (most men re-treat once or twice a year), and not a penis-enlargement procedure - there's no credible evidence PRP increases size, despite some marketing claims.
What the procedure feels like
With numbing cream and a nerve block when needed, most men describe pressure and a brief pinch - shorter and easier than expected, with mild tenderness for a day or two. No real downtime. Early changes in firmness and sensitivity usually show up at 4–8 weeks, with fuller benefit by 8–12 weeks, lasting several months before a touch-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the P-Shot actually work?
Recent pooled trial data show a real improvement in erection scores versus placebo, but it's not universal. Men with mild-to-moderate blood-flow-related ED and healthy or optimized testosterone respond best; severe vascular or nerve-related ED responds less well.
How does it compare to shockwave therapy?
They're complementary, not competing. Shockwave stimulates new blood-vessel growth with sound waves; PRP delivers growth factors directly to the tissue. Many men do both, sequenced together.
Will I still need Viagra or Cialis afterward?
Some men need less, some stop, some keep using a pill occasionally. The goal is to improve the underlying tissue so the medication does less of the work.
Are there side effects?
They're rare and usually mild - most often brief soreness or bruising at the injection site. Because it uses your own blood, allergic reactions aren't a concern.
Can I have it if I'm on blood thinners or have heart disease?
Active blood thinners usually need review first, and uncontrolled heart disease needs medical optimization and coordination with your cardiologist. We assess your candidacy at the consult.
How much does it cost?
The P-Shot is $2,000 per treatment and isn't included in any membership tier. The initial consultation is $35 and is credited toward your plan if you proceed. We accept HSA/FSA, major cards, and Klarna/Affirm financing.
The next step
If a daily pill isn't the answer you want, or it's stopped working, the right next step is a real workup with someone who treats ED as the blood-flow and hormone condition it is. The $35 consultation at Arbour Longevity is built for that.
Arbour Longevity · 2217 Packard St #15, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 · (734) 436-3357 · Thursday through Monday, 10am to 7pm.
References
- Ragheb AM, et al. (2025). Intracavernosal platelet-rich plasma therapy for erectile dysfunction: current evidence. UroPrecision.
- Poulios E, et al. (2021). Platelet-Rich Plasma Improves Erectile Function: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Sex Med.
- Geyik FD, et al. (2025). PRP injections for Peyronie's disease: a prospective study. J Sex Med.
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Priapus Shot (P-Shot): How It Works, Benefits & Risks.
This article is educational and does not replace individualized medical advice.
Gandhi Bhattarai, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Anti-Aging/Functional Medicine BC
Triple board-certified nurse practitioner and founder of Arbour Longevity in Ann Arbor. Every article is written from clinic practice and reviewed against current guidelines.
✓ Medically reviewed · Last updated August 21, 2026
How we reviewed this article
Arbour Longevity articles are written by the treating clinician, checked against primary sources (peer-reviewed journals, FDA labeling, Endocrine Society and other specialty guidelines) and re-reviewed when guidance changes. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Email info@arbourlongevity.com.
This article is educational and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Whether a treatment is appropriate for you is determined during consultation.
Your symptoms have a cause. Let’s find it.
Book a $35 first visit in Ann Arbor. It’s a 30–45 minute consultation with Gandhi Bhattarai, applied toward your plan. Serving Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, and Michigan by telehealth.
.webp)
