P-Shot and erectile dysfunction — what should you know before deciding on the procedure?

Author: Dr Jakub Krukowski, MD, PhD, urologist | Medical review: Jakub Gondek, MD, urologist | Publication date: 29.06.2026 | Last updated: 29.06.2026

First, an important distinction: P-Shot is not the same as treating the cause of erectile dysfunction

Many men look for a solution that will improve erections quickly, discreetly and without the need to talk about the problem. This is understandable — erectile dysfunction is an embarrassing topic, and patients often postpone consultation for months or even years.

The problem is that erection quality is a very sensitive indicator of a man’s overall health. It is influenced by blood vessels, hormones, the nervous system, mental state, sleep, stress, relationship factors, medications, body weight, physical activity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

That is why P-Shot can be part of a conversation about improving sexual quality of life, but it should not be treated as a shortcut that bypasses diagnostics. For some patients, a detailed medical history, blood tests, assessment of testosterone, glucose, lipids, blood pressure, lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors may be more important than the procedure itself.

If the patient does not know where to start, the most reasonable first step is a urology consultation, during which the doctor assesses symptoms, medical history, current medications and realistic treatment options.

What exactly is P-Shot?

P-Shot is a procedure that uses platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, obtained from the patient’s own blood. PRP contains platelets and growth factors, which are being studied in regenerative medicine because of their potential influence on repair processes, microcirculation and tissue regeneration.

In aesthetic urology, PRP may be injected into the penile tissues. The procedure may be considered in men with reduced erection quality, decreased sensitivity, reduced sexual comfort or as part of a regenerative approach. The detailed course of the procedure, qualification process and organisational information are described on the service page: P-Shot in Gdańsk.

This article does not replace the procedure page. Its purpose is to explain when a patient should think about diagnostics, what questions are worth asking the doctor and what should not be expected from P-Shot.

When does a man start thinking about P-Shot?

Patients most often ask about P-Shot when they notice a decline in the quality of their sexual life, although they do not always want to call the problem “erectile dysfunction”. Sometimes they say: “it is weaker than before”, “the erection is less reliable”, “I need more stimulation”, “it is harder to maintain an erection”, “sensitivity has decreased” or “I am starting to stress about it mentally”.

P-Shot may be discussed during consultation if the patient reports:

• mild or moderate worsening of erection quality,
• less confidence in erections during intercourse,
• reduced penile sensitivity,
• poorer sexual quality of life despite preserved desire,
• a desire to support tissue regeneration using an autologous method,
• interest in aesthetic urology and regenerative procedures,
• the need to discuss alternatives or complementary methods.

This does not mean that every such patient should undergo P-Shot. It means that it is worth having a urology or andrology consultation and determining whether the procedure makes sense in that specific situation.

Symptom — what can it mean?

When should P-Shot not be the first step?

There are situations in which the patient should not start with a regenerative procedure. Diagnostics are needed first, because the problem may be a symptom of a general disease or may require a different form of treatment.

Consultation and diagnostics should come first if:

• erectile dysfunction appeared suddenly,
• erection quality is worsening rapidly,
• there is chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations or poor exercise tolerance,
• the patient has diabetes, hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis or heart disease,
• there is decreased libido, chronic fatigue, low mood or suspected testosterone deficiency,
• there is penile pain, curvature, a palpable thickening or a problem after trauma,
• the patient takes medications that may affect erections,
• erectile dysfunction is accompanied by significant anxiety, tension or relationship problems,
• the patient expects a guaranteed effect after one procedure.

In such cases, P-Shot may possibly be discussed later, but it should not replace assessment of the cause of the problem.

What diagnostics may a man with erectile dysfunction need?

The scope of diagnostics depends on the patient’s age, symptoms, duration of the problem, coexisting diseases and sexual history. Sometimes a well-conducted consultation and basic tests are enough. In other patients, broader assessment is needed.

The doctor may ask about:

• the duration and severity of the problem,
• morning and night-time erections,
• libido, orgasm and ejaculation,
• stress, sleep, fatigue and relationship factors,
• physical activity, body weight, smoking and alcohol,
• chronic diseases: diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, lipid disorders,
• medications and supplements,
• previous treatment for erectile dysfunction,
• injuries, surgeries, penile or prostate diseases.

Depending on the situation, the doctor may consider tests such as glucose or HbA1c, lipid profile, morning total testosterone, sometimes free testosterone, LH, prolactin, TSH, PSA or other tests selected individually. The goal is not to “look for a problem at all costs”, but to check whether erectile dysfunction is not a sign of something more important.

At Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej, the patient can discuss diagnostics and treatment with urologists: Dr Jakub Krukowski, MD, PhD, Jakub Gondek, MD or Dr Jakub Kłącz, MD, PhD.

What can be expected after P-Shot?

The most honest answer is: effects are individual. For some patients, the goal is improved erection quality, better blood flow, greater sensitivity, support for tissue regeneration or improved sexual comfort. In others, the effect may be small or difficult to assess clearly.

P-Shot should not be presented as a method that guarantees:

• complete cure of erectile dysfunction,
• permanent penile enlargement,
• increased libido,
• an immediate effect after the procedure,
• discontinuation of erectile dysfunction medications,
• improvement in every patient.

If the problem has a vascular, hormonal, metabolic, psychological or medication-related cause, the procedure alone may not be enough. In many men, the best results come from combining several actions: treatment of coexisting diseases, better sleep, physical activity, weight reduction, properly selected pharmacological treatment, hormonal diagnostics and only then consideration of regenerative methods.

Is P-Shot scientifically proven?

Platelet-rich plasma, PRP, is being studied in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, especially when a vascular component may be involved. Some studies suggest improvement in selected erection parameters in patients with mild or moderate dysfunction, but the results are not yet clear enough to treat P-Shot as standard first-line treatment.

This means that the patient should hear an honest message: the method is promising, but it still has limitations. There is no single ideal protocol for all patients, and response to the procedure may vary. That is why qualification, realistic expectations and discussion of alternatives are so important.

P-Shot and erection tablets — is it an alternative?

Not always. PDE5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil or avanafil, are one of the basic methods of treating erectile dysfunction in many patients. However, they have their indications, contraindications and limitations. They should not be used without medical supervision, especially in patients with heart disease, those taking nitrates or those with unclear cardiovascular symptoms.

P-Shot is not a simple replacement for tablets. In some patients, it may be discussed as a complementary method; in others, it will not be the best choice. The decision depends on the cause of erectile dysfunction, the patient’s expectations, test results and previous response to treatment.

P-Shot and lifestyle — why does it matter?

Patients often ask: “will the procedure help if I do not change anything?”. Sometimes improvement may be noticeable, but if erectile dysfunction is related to obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, lack of sleep, stress or alcohol, ignoring these factors limits the chance of lasting improvement.

Erection quality is influenced by, among other things:

• regular physical activity,
• body weight and waist circumference,
• glucose levels and insulin resistance,
• blood pressure,
• lipids and vascular health,
• sleep and recovery,
• smoking,
• alcohol,
• stress and psychological tension,
• relationship and quality of sexual communication.

That is why a conversation about P-Shot should go hand in hand with a conversation about general health. For many men, erectile dysfunction is the first moment when they truly begin to take interest in their body. It can be a good starting point for broader prevention.

P-Shot — when to consider it, and when to diagnose first?

How to prepare for a consultation before P-Shot?

It is best to come to the consultation with specific information. This helps the doctor assess whether P-Shot may make sense and whether tests should be performed first.

It is worth preparing answers to the following questions:

• when did the erection problem begin?
• was the worsening sudden or gradual?
• do morning erections occur?
• does the problem occur in every situation or only during intercourse?
• is libido normal?
• is there chronic stress, lack of sleep or fatigue?
• what medications does the patient take regularly?
• is there diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or lipid disorder?
• has the patient previously used erection medications?
• what effect does the patient realistically want to achieve?

If the patient has current blood test results, a medication list or previous urological documentation, it is worth bringing them to the visit.

The most common misconceptions about P-Shot

P-Shot is not a guarantee of erection

The procedure may be considered as a regenerative method, but it does not guarantee improvement in every patient. The effect depends on the cause of the problem and the patient’s general health.

P-Shot does not replace treatment of coexisting diseases

If erectile dysfunction results from diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, hormonal disorders or medication side effects, the cause must be addressed. The procedure should not mask a general health problem.

P-Shot is not a typical penile enlargement procedure

Patients sometimes confuse P-Shot with procedures that increase penile volume. These are different procedures, with different mechanisms and goals. If the patient’s goal is size change, this should be discussed separately during consultation.

P-Shot does not automatically solve psychosexual problems

If anxiety around intercourse, tension, pressure, relationship conflict or negative sexual experiences dominate, a medical procedure alone may not be enough. Psychosexual support may then be important.

Why is it worth discussing this with a urologist?

Erectile dysfunction is common, but many men treat it as a personal failure. This is a mistake. For a doctor, it is a medical symptom — just like pain, shortness of breath, insomnia or loss of energy. The goal is not to judge, but to determine the cause and choose a reasonable plan.

At Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej in Gdańsk, conversations about sexual health take place discreetly and without taboo. The patient may ask about classic erectile dysfunction treatment, hormonal diagnostics, urological prevention and aesthetic urology procedures, including P-Shot.

Frequently asked questions

Are you considering P-Shot?

Start with a consultation. We will check whether P-Shot makes sense in your situation, or whether diagnostics or other treatment methods should be considered first.

Summary

P-Shot is a procedure using platelet-rich plasma, PRP, applied in aesthetic and regenerative urology. It may be considered in selected men with reduced erection quality, decreased sensitivity or the need to support tissue regeneration.

However, it is not a procedure for everyone and should not replace diagnostics. Erectile dysfunction may be a sign of hormonal, metabolic, vascular, medication-related, psychological or cardiovascular problems. That is why the most important first step is a calm, discreet urology consultation.

If you want to find out whether P-Shot is suitable in your situation, visit the procedure page: P-Shot in Gdańsk or book a urology consultation.

Sources and medical context:

• European Association of Urology — Management of Erectile Dysfunction
• Platelet-rich plasma therapy in erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease — systematic review
• ClinicalTrials.gov — PRP for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
• Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej — P-Shot in Gdańsk

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical consultation. P-Shot does not guarantee improved erections in every patient and should not replace diagnostics for erectile dysfunction. Sudden worsening of erections, chest pain, shortness of breath, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, penile pain, penile curvature, decreased libido or symptoms of testosterone deficiency require individual medical assessment.