What is the O-Shot®?
The Orgasm-Shot® or O-Shot® is an injection for women directly into the vaginal walls and just below the clitoris, which was developed by Dr. Charles Runels, the inventor of the Vampire Facial and P-Shot, to treat symptoms of female sexual dysfunction such as pain during or after sex, vaginal dryness, decreased sensitivity and associated low libido.
It also claims to alleviate stress incontinence and as well as the symptoms of Lichen Sclerosus, a long-term dermatological condition affecting the genitals.
The O-Shot® is a non-invasive, vaginal and clitoral rejuvenation treatment which uses a patient’s blood to derive Platelet-Rich Plasma or PRP. It claims to provide the following benefits. It may help:
- decrease pain during and after sex due to dryness or scarring and as a result increase sexual desire
- increase natural lubrication
- enhance arousal
- deliver stronger and more frequent orgasms
- improve in the appearance of the labia
- alleviate stress incontinence
- alleviate the symptoms of Lichen Sclerosus, Lichen Planus
- decrease pain during and after sex due to dryness or scarring
- may help decrease pain associated with mesh procedures.
How does it work?
Each O-Shot® is produced using a sample of the patient’s own blood. A small amount of blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate the plasma from other blood components. Blood plasma is rich in platelets which contain growth factors and stem cells. PRP can help speed up the healing process after an injury and has been used in various medical treatments for decades, however it has only been used for treating sexual dysfunction and stress incontinence for the past few years.
The PRP is injected into specific areas inside and outside of the vagina that have been numbed using an anaesthetic cream. the PRP stimulates the body’s own stem cells to produce new tissue including collagen, adipose (fatty) tissue, nerve endings and blood vessels. Tissues that have thinned with age, such as vaginal tissue, becomes rejuvenated and thicker and sensitivity is heightened due to increased blood flow to the erogenous areas.
The results vary from patient to patient, but overall an immediate increase in sensitivity, orgasm intensity and arousal has been reported by some patients during the first week after the procedure. Initially this will decrease slightly, but after a few weeks a marked improvement should be noticed, peaking around 3 months after treatment.
Patients with from Lichen Sclerosus can benefit from the growth of healthy tissue to replace tissue damaged by scarring which may reduce the need for steroid treatments.
What it like?
Prior to the procedure a local anaesthetic cream is applied to the vaginal walls, the clitoris and the labia, making the treatment virtually painless.
A sample of blood is then taken from the patient’s arm and is mixed with a calcium chloride solution to activate the sample. This is injected into the entrance and upper wall of the vagina, the base of the clitoris and the labia using a very fine needle. Although patients may feel some slight pressure, the process is pain-free and takes less than 10 minutes. Some people have reported a mild burning sensation while being injected.
The entire procedure should take 45 minutes to an hour from start to finish.
Afterwards it is advisable to wear a sanitary pad in case of spot bleeding from the injection sites.
Patients are asked to make an appointment in the middle of their menstrual cycle if they are still menstruating.
What’s the recovery period?
There is no downtime. Normal activities can be resumed immediately. Sexual activity can also be resumed the same day but it is advisable to wait at least 6 hours after the procedure. (see below for risks)
What are the risks & side effects?
The risks associated with this procedure are minimal, as there is no surgery involved and therefore no need for a general anaesthetic, no overnight stay in hospital and no prolonged recovery period. There is no risk of an allergic reaction, because you are injected with a derivative of your own blood.
The procedure is virtually painless, due to the application of a local anaesthetic cream prior to treatment. There may be a feeling of numbness where the cream was applied but this is temporary and generally disappears within an hour or so after treatment.
There may be:
- minimal bleeding
- bruising, swelling and tenderness at the injection site (this is temporary and will go down within a couple of hours. Any bruising will disappear within a few days.)
- increased vaginal wetness
- alteration in your sexual awareness
- no effect at all.
There is a very slight risk of nerve damage, but this is rare.
To avoid any potential infection post-treatment (rare), you should avoid touching the injection site for at least 6 hours afterwards.
Is it suitable for everyone?
This treatment is suitable for most people, especially menopausal women or women who have had children and feel they are not as responsive as they had been in the past.
However, you are not suitable for this treatment if you have:
- a urinary tract infection or inflammation in your vagina
- a low platelet count or a deficiency in the clotting factor fibrin
- a sexually transmitted disease
- septicaemia (blood poisoning)
- chronic liver disease
- abnormal blood pressure
- haemodynamic instability (collapse of blood vessels)
- recently had genital tract surgery
- malignant changes in your genital area or
- are taking anti-coagulant treatments such as warfarin or heparin
- are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Who should perform the procedure?
Always visit a qualified medical professional who has undergone a certified training and has experience in this type of procedure.
Doctors on Harley Street Emporium who are certified and provide this treatment are:
How much does it cost?
Expect to pay between £1,000 to £1,500. You may need more than one treatment, depending on your age and the symptoms being treated. Follow-up treatments may be necessary on a yearly basis.
Is it worth it?
This is a relatively new procedure and it has not been approved by the FDA. As it is relatively new there is very little solid, published scientific evidence yet to confirm the claims made by its proponents.
That being said, PRP has long been used as a treatment in sports injuries and wound healing. And, anecdotally, there’s seems to be a lot of positive responses claiming ‘exceptional results’ especially when it comes to stress incontinence and improved sex life.
For example in October 2018 91% of women on the realself.com website had given this procedure the thumbs up. Some people, however, say they get no result.
Treatment results may last from 18 months to 3 years, depending on the patient. Optimal results are usually experienced after around 3 months but can vary with individual patients.
Some people report an immediate improvement of stress incontinence after the first treatment, for others, more treatments may be required.
