Platelet-Rich Plasma for Female Sexual Health: Insights From the September 2025 Clinical Webinar With Dr. Shelley Glover
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Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) remains a prevalent but often under-discussed area of women’s health. Epidemiologic data suggest that 40–45% of women in the United States experience symptoms of FSD, yet a far smaller percentage seek care. The September 2025 webinar led by Dr. Shelley Coleman Glover, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist specializing in minimally invasive gynecology and sexual wellness, focused on the scientific rationale, clinical considerations, and procedural insights regarding platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a potential therapeutic modality in female sexual health.
This overview outlines the concepts and clinical questions discussed during the session to help practitioners assess where PRP may fit within ongoing research and clinical exploration.
Overview of Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Multidimensional Condition
Dr. Glover highlighted that FSD is almost always multifactorial, involving:
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Biologic factors: vaginal atrophy, dyspareunia, postmenopausal tissue changes, neurologic changes after childbirth, pelvic floor dysfunction
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Endocrine factors: alterations in estrogen, testosterone, and other hormones during postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause
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Neurologic influences: nerve stretch or injury, lumbosacral pathology
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Psychological and relational contributors: stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma history
Effective evaluation requires acknowledging all contributing domains and avoiding reductionist explanations. Dr. Glover noted that the biopsychosocial model remains essential for clinical decision-making.
Mechanistic Rationale for PRP in Female Sexual Health
PRP contains a concentrated suspension of platelets that release numerous growth factors, including:
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Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)
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Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)
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Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
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Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)
These factors have been shown to influence:
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Tissue healing and remodeling
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Collagen synthesis
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Angiogenesis and microvascular support
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Neural signaling and sensitivity
In the vulvovaginal region, these mechanisms may theoretically support improvements in:
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Vaginal dryness and discomfort
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Introital pain or dyspareunia
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Sexual arousal and orgasmic function
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Tissue quality
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Mild urinary symptoms
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Inflammatory vulvar dermatoses such as lichen sclerosus (as an adjunct to standard therapies)
Dr. Glover underscored that PRP should not be presented as curative but rather as a biologic adjunct that may complement existing therapeutic strategies.
Considerations for Clinical Application
Patient Selection
Appropriate candidates may include:
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Women in the perimenopausal or postmenopausal transition reporting dryness, discomfort, or decreased sexual responsiveness
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Premenopausal women with arousal or orgasmic challenges after evaluation for endocrine, psychological, and relationship factors
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Patients with focal introital pain or dyspareunia
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Individuals with mild urinary urgency or stress-related leakage
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Patients with lichen sclerosus receiving coordinated multidisciplinary care
Contraindications include active infection, uncontrolled metabolic disease, coagulation disorders, suspected malignancy in the treatment field, or pregnancy.
Procedure Preparation
Dr. Glover highlighted several preparation principles:
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Encourage adequate hydration prior to venipuncture
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Minimize NSAID use pre-procedure when clinically feasible
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Avoid blood donation or major phlebotomy shortly before treatment
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Perform a thorough sexual, hormonal, and pelvic health assessment to set appropriate expectations
Anatomic and Technical Considerations
While procedural instruction requires formal training, Dr. Glover emphasized:
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Vaginal PRP is typically placed in the anterior vaginal wall plane, between the urethra and vaginal mucosa
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Clitoral PRP is directed toward the corpora cavernosa of the clitoris, not the glans
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PRP tends to diffuse through tissue planes, supporting regional effects
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For focal dyspareunia, targeted injections may be considered when pain location is clearly localized
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Care must be taken to avoid posterior injection planes near the rectum
Evidence Snapshot
Although large-scale randomized trials remain limited, literature on genital and vulvovaginal PRP has expanded. Studies using validated tools such as the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) have reported improvements in domains including lubrication, arousal, and overall sexual satisfaction.
Additional observational data suggest possible benefits for lichen sclerosus when PRP is used adjunctively, particularly in reducing inflammation and supporting mucosal quality.
Overall, the existing body of evidence indicates potential clinical value, though ongoing research is needed to further characterize efficacy, durability, and optimal patient selection.
Post-Procedure Trajectory
Dr. Glover typically describes expected outcomes along the following timeline:
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Bladder symptoms: often improve within ~1 week
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Vaginal dryness and comfort: ~4 weeks
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Sexual response (arousal, orgasm): typically evolves over ~3 months, with continued gradual improvement
She recommends annual maintenance for sexual function and vaginal health, although some individuals may benefit from shorter intervals depending on symptom profile.
Conclusion
Female sexual dysfunction is a highly prevalent and clinically significant condition with diverse etiologies across biologic, hormonal, neurologic, and psychosocial domains. Platelet-rich plasma represents an emerging autologous modality with a scientifically grounded mechanism of action involving growth-factor mediated support of tissue remodeling, vascularity, and neural function. Preliminary evidence, including studies using validated outcome measures, suggests that PRP may offer benefit for selected patients experiencing vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, orgasmic dysfunction, or mild urinary symptoms, and may serve as an adjunctive option in conditions such as lichen sclerosus.
Dr. Glover’s framework emphasizes the importance of careful patient selection, realistic expectation-setting, and appropriate procedural training. As research continues to evolve, PRP may become an increasingly relevant component of multidisciplinary sexual-medicine care, particularly when integrated with established hormonal, behavioral, and pelvic-health interventions.
Clinicians interested in more detailed procedural discussion or case-based examples may refer to the full recorded webinar: Platelet-Rich Plasma—Advancing Care for Female Sexual Dysfunction
Explore clinical research, live education, and on-demand sessions - all free to access - in the APEX Biologix Resource Library: https://resources.apexbiologix.com/resource-library
References
Dankova, M., et al. Efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma injections for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction and stress urinary incontinence: A systematic review. Biomedicines. 2023;11(11):2919. doi:10.3390/biomedicines11112919
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is intended for healthcare professionals. It is not a substitute for independent medical judgment, clinical training, or patient-specific decision-making. APEX Biologix does not make medical claims and does not promote any therapy for unapproved indications. Practitioners should always use their own professional discretion and adhere to applicable regulatory guidelines when performing regenerative procedures.
