Exploring the O-Shot: Can Plasma Injections Enhance Sexual Pleasure?

We’ve been answering several questions from our listeners and readers lately, covering topics like “ how to navigate sex when one partner is paralyzed” and “ how body modifications have been historically linked to queer signaling.”  Today, we’re going to dive in and answer a listener question about a newer female sexual health and wellness treatment. Specifically, they asked:

“I’ve heard about an O-shot (plasma injected into clit) to increase sensations. Is there anything to this?”

Thank you for your question!  Let’s start with the basics:

What is the O-Shot?

The “O-shot,” short for Orgasm Shot, involves an injection of your body’s own plasma into either the clitoris or vaginal area that purports to increase female sexual pleasure. Developed and popularized in the early 2010s by Dr. Charles Runels, it is based on the premise that Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy has the potential to assist in treating female sexual dysfunction. PRP therapy begins by drawing a sample of your own blood and then spinning it around in a high-speed centrifuge. The goal is to isolate the platelets in your blood, which contain bioactive growth factors and healing proteins, like cytokines, that improve communication between cells. The platelets are then re-injected into the the body (and in the case of the O-shot, into the clitoral and/or vaginal tissues specifically), where the have the potential to promote tissue repair, collagen production, improved blood flow, and reduced inflammation.

The thought here is that these injections may stimulate changes that help to increase pleasurable sensations and/or decrease pain in the targeted area. PRP has been administered to treat various forms of female sexual dysfunction, improve vaginal lubrication, alleviate stress urinary incontinence, boost genital sensitivity and self-perception, and aid in post-childbirth recovery.

Does it work?

There’s a fair amount of evidence to support the idea that PRP in general can help in treating a wide range of health conditions, from sports injuries to surgical recovery, and maybe even hair loss. However, some caution is warranted in drawing sweeping conclusions about its effectiveness because most studies seem to be quite small and preliminary, while high-quality, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are scarce.

The same can be said for research on the O-shot specifically. There are a handful of studies out there suggesting that clitoral and vaginal PRP injections are linked to improvements in sexual function, reduced sexual distress, and increased satisfaction (Mahmoud, 2021; JB, 2017; Sukgen et al., 2020). Also, in one study (Mahmoud, 2021), the reported orgasm scores more than doubled after receiving the O-Shot. However, we were unable to locate any RCTs on the topic, and the few existing studies involved relatively few participants (50-60 each). So while the results are promising, we’d really like to see more evidence before making definitive claims about the benefits.

That said, the O-shot appears to have the potential for sexual health benefits with seemingly few risks beyond temporary discomfort or bruising at the injection site (assuming, of course, that the injection is performed safely to minimize risk of infection). Since PRP is derived from your own blood, there is a low risk of allergic reactions.

Again, though, it’s important to reiterate that we still need more extensive research to fully understand the long-term efficacy and safety profile of the O-shot. Also, keep in mind that the outcomes of clinical treatments like this can vary based on individual factors, and it’s essential to consult with a qualified healthcare provider to assess your specific needs and whether a given treatment is right for you.

Final Thoughts:

The O-shot is an intriguing new option for women’s sexual health and wellness and it appears to hold some potential in improving sexual pleasure and satisfaction via a minimally invasive procedure. However, if you’re thinking about getting the shot, be sure to research the provider carefully, be wary of extremely bold claims (e.g., 100% guarantees and other lofty promises), and recognize that it’s not cheap! The O-shot is not covered by insurance and you can expect to pay $1,000-$2,000 per treatment. We recommend consulting with a healthcare provider before seeking treatment because there are various factors that can affect clitoral and vaginal sensitivity (e.g., menopause), which means that different solutions (e.g., hormone replacement) might be indicated for different people.

 You can read more sexology Q&A here.  If you have a sex question of your own, record a voicemail at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology to have it answered on the blog or the podcast. 

References:

Abdulla Elsayed Mahmoud, M. (2021). VAGINAL PLATELET-RICH PLASMA ADMINISTRATION TO IMPROVE FEMALE SEXUAL SATISFACTION. International Journal of Advanced Research, 9(07), 258–266. https://doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/13124

JB, N. (2017). O-Shot: Platelets Rich Plasma in Intimate Female Treatment. Journal of Women’s Health Care, 06(05). https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-0420.1000395

Sukgen, G., Ellibeş Kaya, A., Karagün, E., & Çalışkan, E. (2020). Platelet-rich plasma administration to the lower anterior vaginal wall to improve female sexuality satisfaction. Journal of Turkish Society of Obstetric and Gynecology, 16(4), 228–234. https://doi.org/10.4274/tjod.galenos.2019.23356