Medically reviewed by Anand Thakkar, MD, MSCP. Last updated: September 29, 2026.
Regenerative ED treatment aims to do more than get you through one night. Pills help blood flow for a few hours. Regenerative options try to support the tissue and blood vessels behind an erection.
At Bliss MD, this care includes the PRP penile injection, often called the P-Shot or Priapus Shot. PRP stands for platelet rich plasma. For some men, we also discuss exosomes and stem cells (MSCs). We give all of them with ultrasound guidance. For an overview of PRP, visit our P Shot Chicago page.
In This Article
What Regenerative ED Treatment Means
An erection depends on three things:
- Arteries that bring blood in
- Spongy tissue that fills and expands
- A seal in the veins that traps blood so the erection holds
Age, diabetes, smoking and surgery can harm all three. Regenerative care aims to help repair them.
PRP: The Most Studied Option
Platelet rich plasma comes from your own blood. Platelets release growth factors that help healing.
- The American Urological Association (AUA) calls PRP for erectile dysfunction experimental.1
- Trials are mixed. One found a clear benefit over placebo.2 Another found no difference.3
Read more in P Shot benefits.
Exosomes: Cell Signals Without Cells
Exosomes are tiny packets that cells release to send signals. They may affect repair and inflammation.
- No exosome product is FDA-approved. The FDA has issued safety notices about them.4
- Most research for ED has been in animals. Human data are very early.
- Quality varies a lot, so the source matters.
Stem Cells (MSCs)
MSCs are cells that send repair signals. In the lab, they can turn into other cell types.
- The AUA calls stem cell therapy for ED investigational.1
- No stem cell product is FDA-approved to treat ED. The FDA has warned consumers about unapproved products.5
- Early human data: In a small trial, 17 men with ED after prostate surgery got one shot of cells from their own fat. Eight regained erections firm enough for sex.6 There was no placebo group, so larger trials are needed.
Why Bliss MD
- Board-certified internist since 2011, and A4M/ABAARM board certified
- Clear facts on FDA status and evidence before you decide
- Clinics in Lincoln Park and our Schaumburg-area clinic in Hanover Park
How We Choose and Source Exosome and MSC Products
The FDA has not approved any exosome or stem cell product to treat ED. It has issued safety notices on exosomes and consumer alerts on stem cells. So the product’s source and testing matter more than the brand name. Exosome and stem cell therapies are not FDA-approved for ED.
Before offering any regenerative ED treatment, we use products sourced from established U.S. suppliers in Florida and Arizona. Donors complete an extensive screening of about 180 questions. Products are tested for a wide range of contagious and infectious diseases, with certificates of testing from certified third-party labs.
You can ask about the documents for your lot. If any clinic can’t tell you where its product comes from, keep looking. Most men start with PRP, the most studied option.
Venous Leak: When Erections Won't Hold
Some men can get an erection but can’t keep it. One cause may be a venous leak, where blood drains out too soon.
Signs include erections that fade fast or a weaker response to pills. A Doppler ultrasound can check blood flow in and out of the penis.
Our experience: Dr. Thakkar has seen many patients, including men with suspected venous leak, report firmer erections that last longer after exosomes or MSCs. This is clinical experience, not trial evidence. Results vary, and these treatments are not FDA-approved for ED.
Erections fading too fast?
What a Regenerative ED Visit Looks Like
Most men understandably don’t post reviews about ED, so much of our practice grows by word of mouth. Bliss MD has helped more than 500 men, ages 30 to 80+ (our oldest patient is 87), regain confidence and improve their sexual health, including men with diabetes.
- Medical review. Dr. Thakkar reviews your history, heart health, medications and labs, including hormones and blood sugar.
- Blood flow check. We use ultrasound to guide treatment. Penile Doppler ultrasound for venous leak concerns is done in-office at both clinics.
- Consent. We go over the evidence, FDA status, risks and cost in writing. See P Shot benefits for an honest look at results.
- Treatment. After numbing cream, we inject PRP, and exosomes or MSCs if chosen, under ultrasound. The visit takes about an hour.
- Follow-up. We check in over the following weeks and review your response together.
Who Isn't a Candidate
Regenerative ED treatment usually isn’t right for men with an active infection, a bleeding disorder, an active cancer or low platelets. Men with severe artery disease may need a urology referral for other options. The AUA ED guideline covers those treatments.
Shockwave Therapy: No Needles Needed
Start With a Healthy Foundation
Repair depends on your overall health. Before treatment, we check hormones, blood sugar, weight, habits and stress. See low testosterone and ED, low testosterone symptoms, hormone replacement therapy in Chicago and testosterone pellets.
Questions to Ask Any Clinic
- What is the product, and where does it come from?
- Is it FDA-approved for ED? (The answer is no.)
- Will a doctor inject it with ultrasound?
- What are the risks?
What Regenerative ED Treatment Costs at Bliss MD
PRP, the PRP penile injection often called the P-Shot, typically costs $1,000 to $2,500 per treatment at either clinic. Exosomes and MSCs are priced separately and listed on your written, itemized quote before treatment. Package plans that combine regenerative care with hormone checkup, hormone replacement, weight loss support, lifestyle changes or shockwave are also available at discounted package pricing. Insurance rarely pays, because the AUA calls these treatments investigational or experimental. See P Shot cost in Chicago for package and combination examples.
Frequently Asked Questions About Regenerative ED Treatment
Are stem cells for ED FDA-approved?
No. We offer them only after a doctor visit and informed consent.
Can I combine exosomes or MSCs with a men's P Shot?
Often yes. They are priced separately from PRP.
Is there a P Shot near me that offers regenerative options?
Men searching for a Priapus Shot near me or a P Shot for men near me can visit Lincoln Park or our Schaumburg-area clinic in Hanover Park. Ask us about regenerative ED treatment at either one.
How many regenerative ED treatments will I need?
It varies. Some men have one treatment and others a short series. We decide after reviewing your response.
Is there downtime after regenerative ED treatment?
Most men return to normal activities the same day. We usually advise waiting 48 hours before sex and 72 hours before hard exercise, matching our PRP aftercare.
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References
- American Urological Association. Erectile Dysfunction Guideline. https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/erectile-dysfunction-(ed)-guideline
- Poulios E, et al. J Sex Med. 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33906807/
- Masterson TA, et al. J Urol. 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37120727/
- FDA. Safety notice on exosome products. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/safety-availability-biologics/public-safety-notification-exosome-products
- FDA. Consumer alert on stem cells and exosomes. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/consumers-biologics/consumer-alert-regenerative-medicine-products-including-stem-cells-and-exosomes
- Haahr MK, et al. EBioMedicine. 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27077129/
For educational purposes only. PRP, exosomes and stem cells are not FDA-approved for erectile dysfunction, and results vary. Please consult a licensed physician before starting treatment.
