The P-Shot, how the Priapus Shot works, what it treats, and what to expect

The P-Shot, also called the Priapus Shot®, is a non-surgical platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection treatment for erectile dysfunction, reduced sensitivity, and Peyronie's disease. A small blood sample is drawn from your arm, processed in a medical-grade centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and then injected back into the penile shaft and corpora cavernosa under topical anaesthetic. The platelets carry growth factors, proteins your body uses naturally for healing. Delivering them concentrated to the right anatomical sites supports tissue regeneration where erectile tissue has been affected by age, vascular disease, surgery, or chronic conditions.

The treatment has been registered under the Priapus Shot® trademark since 2012 and has been used clinically across thousands of men globally. It sits in a small family of regenerative-medicine techniques for sexual health alongside focused shockwave therapy, traction devices for Peyronie's disease, and emerging cell-based therapies.

The growth factors in PRP do four things at once when delivered into the penile tissue.

Angiogenesis (new blood vessels). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulate the formation of new microvasculature. Better blood supply means better erections, which is why vasculogenic ED responds well to PRP.

Neurogenesis (nerve regeneration). Nerve growth factor (NGF) and other neurotrophic factors in PRP support the repair of small nerve fibres. This is relevant for men with sensitivity loss after surgery, age-related decline, or diabetes-related neuropathy.

Collagen and elastin. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and the related family of growth factors stimulate fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin. For Peyronie's disease, this matters because controlled remodelling of plaque tissue is what allows curvature to reduce over months.

Anti-inflammatory effects. PRP modulates local inflammation, supporting conditions like lichen sclerosus where chronic inflammation drives tissue damage.

The clinical evidence base is growing but still maturing. The most-cited recent trial (Poulios et al., Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2021) reported a 69% improvement rate in mild-to-moderate ED with PRP versus 27% with placebo. Real-world response rates vary by patient selection; the better the cause of ED matches the mechanism of PRP (i.e. vascular and tissue rather than purely psychological or hormonal), the better the result.

We use advanced centrifuge technology and a medically guided dual-spin protocol that concentrates platelets to a higher level than standard single-spin methods.

Dual-spin processing takes longer and uses more disposables than single-spin. It costs us more per case. It does not cost you more. It is our default.

• Step 1: Private consultation (20-30 minutes). Medical history, frank discussion of what you're treating and your goals, examination, consent. If you have specific contraindications, or if the P-Shot isn't the right answer for you, we'll tell you before treatment is committed.
• Step 2: Blood draw and dual-spin PRP processing (15 minutes). A small arm sample (about the size of a routine blood test) is taken and processed in our medical-grade centrifuge. The platelets are then drawn into the injection syringes.
• Step 3: Numbing (10 minutes). Topical anaesthetic cream is applied. For patients who prefer a deeper level of comfort, a penile nerve block is available and discussed at consultation.
• Step 4: Injections (10-15 minutes). Four to five carefully placed injections using ultra-fine needles. Most men describe the sensation as pressure rather than pain.
• Step 5: If you've chosen the Enhanced protocol: focused shockwave (15 minutes). Low-intensity acoustic waves applied to shaft and crura using the focused shockwave device.
• Step 6: Aftercare brief. What to expect over the next 12 weeks, what to avoid for 4-5 days, when to call the clinic, and the dates of your 6-week and 12-week follow-ups.

What it really feels like.

For most men, the P-Shot is uncomfortable rather than painful. The topical anaesthetic numbs the surface tissue. The injections themselves take 10-15 minutes total and are described variably as mild pressure, a brief sting, or a dull ache, not the sharp pain people imagine. Mild tenderness for 24-48 hours afterwards is normal and resolves with paracetamol if needed.

For patients with significant anxiety about the injections, or those who prefer a deeper level of comfort, a full penile nerve block is offered as an option at no extra cost. It adds about 10 minutes to the appointment and means you feel essentially nothing during the injection phase.

You can drive yourself home, return to work the same day, and resume normal physical activity within 24 hours. The one significant restriction is to avoid sexual activity (intercourse and masturbation) for four to five days to allow the injection sites to settle.

Other guidance:

• Avoid hot baths, saunas, and steam rooms for 48 hours
• Avoid vigorous exercise (heavy lifting, intense cardio) for 48 hours
• Cold compresses if you have minor swelling, for 10 minutes at a time, no longer
• Avoid blood-thinning medication (aspirin, ibuprofen, alcohol) for 24 hours where clinically possible. Confirm with us at consultation if you take these routinely
• Report any unusual prolonged pain, fever, or swelling to the clinic immediately

The honest version.

Most side effects are mild and short-lived, including bruising, minor swelling, or sensitivity at the injection sites, typically resolving within 48 hours. Because PRP is made from your own blood, allergic reactions are essentially eliminated.

Serious complications are rare. They include:

• Infection at the injection site, affecting under 1% in published series and mitigated by strict sterile technique.
• Prolonged painful erection (priapism), which is very rare but requires immediate medical attention if it occurs.
• Persistent pain or sensitivity changes, usually self-resolving within weeks and rarely lasting longer.
• No response, with about 30% of men in published series classed as "poor responders" even with perfect technique.

We tell you about all of these before you book, not after.

The P-Shot is unlikely to be the right answer if your ED is primarily psychological (where psychosexual therapy is more appropriate), primarily hormonal (testosterone deficiency should be corrected first), or related to severe pelvic nerve injury beyond what regenerative medicine currently addresses. It's not suitable during active genital infection, with untreated platelet disorders, or in certain immunocompromised states.

We routinely refer patients out to urologists for surgical candidates, to endocrinologists for hormonal cases, to psychosexual therapists where indicated. Honest assessment is part of the consultation.

Results timeline, week by week:

A single P-Shot lasts 12-18 months for most responders. Some men choose annual maintenance to keep results at peak; others wait until they notice a return toward baseline. There is no upper limit on safe repeat use because PRP is your own tissue, so the safety profile of a fifth treatment is the same as the first. Maintenance pricing is the same as the initial Standard P-Shot.

Is the P-Shot painful? For most men, no. Topical anaesthetic is applied before the injections, and the procedure feels like mild pressure rather than pain. A full nerve block is available at no extra cost for patients who want deeper comfort.

How many sessions will I need? Most men have one P-Shot, with optional maintenance every 12-18 months. Peyronie's disease, post-prostatectomy rehabilitation, and severe vascular ED may benefit from a course of two or three treatments spaced 6-12 weeks apart.

How soon will I see results? Most men notice changes between week 4 and week 8, with peak results around 8-12 weeks. The treatment regenerates tissue, so the timeline reflects natural cellular healing. There is no overnight effect.

Is the P-Shot safe? Yes, for properly selected patients. It uses your own blood, performed under sterile conditions, with a strong global safety record. Risks are discussed in full at consultation.

Who performs the P-Shot here? Your doctor personally, from the consultation through to the injections themselves and the follow-ups. No delegation to nurses or technicians.

How long before I can have sex after the P-Shot? Avoid sexual activity (intercourse and masturbation) for four to five days to let the injection sites settle. After that, normal sexual activity can resume. There is no long-term restriction.

See the full P-Shot FAQ →

A 30-minute private consultation with our doctor at our Wimpole Street clinic, in person or by secure video. Frank assessment, no pressure to proceed.