Value of injection of plasma-rich platelets in the vaginal mucosa in cases with vulvovaginal atrophy: a prospective double-blinded randomized controlled study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The use of Plasma-Rich Platelets (PRP) in the vaginal mucosa for vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) symptom relief is still being studied. This trial aimed to assess the efficacy of PRP injections in alleviating VVA symptoms. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted at Ain Shams University Hospital, involving 60 postmenopausal women experiencing vaginal atrophy from August 2019 to May 2021. Thirty participants received intramucosal PRP injections, while the other 30 received saline as a placebo. Clinical evaluations occurred after 4 months using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) as the primary outcome measure, alongside assessments of quality of life domains using the 36-item short-form survey (SF-36).The independent t-test and paired t-test were utilized for comparisons. RESULTS: At baseline, both groups exhibited impaired FSFI scores (9.2 ± 4.2 vs. 9.8 ± 4.3, P > 0.05). After four months of treatment, the FSFI scores significantly improved in the PRP group (19.0 ± 4.5 vs. 9.7 ± 4.3, P < 0.001). Specific domain analysis revealed no significant differences before treatment (P > 0.05), but the PRP group showed significant improvements in lubrication (2.26 ± 0.99 vs. 1.15 ± 0.81, P = 0.02), satisfaction (5.27 ± 0.63 vs. 1.31 ± 0.78, P < 0.001), and pain (5.18 ± 0.59 vs. 2.51 ± 1.63, P < 0.001). No differences were seen in desire, arousal, and orgasm (P > 0.05). The PRP group also demonstrated notable improvements in role limitations due to physical health (52.5 ± 10.1 vs. 25.8 ± 12.3, P < 0.001), emotional problems (56.6 ± 15.5 vs. 24.4 ± 17.3, P < 0.001), and energy/fatigue (56.6 ± 15.5 vs. 24.4 ± 17.3, P < 0.001), among others, all significant at P < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: PRP injections show promise for treating postmenopausal VVA but require further larger RCT studies before becoming a standard treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was prospectively registered in the clinical trials registry (NCT03898401) on 19.3.2019, https//clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03898401.
Source: BMC Women s Health
Authors: Ahmed Sherif Abdel Hamid, Aya Masoud AbdAllah, Hesham Mohamed Fathi, Ahmed Mohamed Bahaa Eldin, Rasha Mahmoud Medhat Abd el Hadi
Institutions: Ain Shams University, King Saud Medical City, King Saud University
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,890
OpenAlex ID: W4416623152