Platelet-rich plasma for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence

Int Urol Nephrol. 2024 Oct 10. doi: 10.1007/s11255-024-04229-9. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Introduction and objective: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) poses a significant burden on affected individuals, impairing their quality of life and causing embarrassment due to involuntary urine leakage during activities such as sneezing or coughing. While conservative and surgical treatments exist, a subset of patients experiences persistent symptoms despite these interventions. This review provides insights into the potential role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a therapeutic adjunct for patients with SUI that does not respond to conventional non-surgical or surgical treatments.

Methods: We conducted a literature review of studies in English to evaluate PRP efficacy in managing SUI.

Results: The studies conducted on PRP therapy suggest that it is an effective and safe treatment option for SUI in women. PRP injections, when used alone or in combination with other therapies, have shown significant improvements in SUI symptoms. Moreover, these studies indicate that PRP injections offer a less invasive and low-risk alternative to surgical procedures for managing SUI, which could lead to shorter recovery times.

Conclusion: The efficacy of PRP therapy is evidenced by significant reductions in SUI symptoms, as well as improvements in bladder function variables, without significant adverse effects reported. However, further research is necessary to establish the long-term effectiveness and safety of PRP therapy for managing SUI in diverse patient populations. Additionally, ongoing evaluations of PRP therapy in combination with other interventions will be essential for optimizing treatment outcomes and broadening the potential applications of PRP in the management of SUI.

Keywords: Female; Platelet-rich plasma; Regenerative medicine; Stress urinary incontinence.

Publication types

  • Review