PRP O-Shot in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is a PRP O-Shot?
A PRP O-Shot is a gynaecological procedure that places platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into two small, precise areas of intimate tissue: the tissue around the clitoris and the upper part of the front vaginal wall, just beneath the urethra. "O-Shot" is the popular name; in medical notes the same treatment is often written as intimate or vulvovaginal PRP injection.
Platelets are the blood cells that gather at any injury, and they carry growth factors, proteins that signal nearby cells to repair tissue and form new small blood vessels. The O-Shot concentrates these signals and delivers them directly into intimate tissue that has become thin, dry or less responsive. Because the plasma comes from your own blood and is used within the same appointment, the injected material is entirely your own.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, the O-Shot is carried out in-house by the gynaecology and obstetrics team, in a private treatment room, as part of a consultation-led plan for your intimate health.
Who needs it
Women usually ask about the PRP O-Shot for one or more of these concerns:
- vaginal dryness, or thin and fragile intimate tissue, after childbirth, during breastfeeding or after menopause
- reduced sensation in the intimate area
- mild leakage of urine when coughing, laughing or exercising
- discomfort during intercourse linked to dry or thin tissue
Each of these symptoms has several possible causes, including infection, hormonal change, pelvic floor weakness and vulval skin conditions, and each cause has its own treatment. For this reason the O-Shot always begins with a gynaecological consultation. The gynaecologist takes a history, examines you, may take swabs, and checks whether your cervical screening is up to date.
The O-Shot sits alongside other options rather than replacing them. Depending on the cause, your plan may include menopause management, pelvic floor therapy or assessment for urinary incontinence, with the O-Shot added where it fits.
What happens
The PRP O-Shot takes place in one appointment, in this order:
- Numbing. You change privately and settle on the examination couch. A numbing cream is applied to the vulva and left to take effect.
- Blood sample. While the cream works, a small amount of blood is drawn from a vein in your arm, much like a routine blood test.
- Preparing the plasma. The tube is spun in a centrifuge, which separates the straw-coloured plasma and its platelets from the heavier red cells. The platelet-rich portion is drawn into syringes.
- First injection. Using a very fine needle, the gynaecologist places part of the plasma into the tissue close to the clitoris. A small amount of local anaesthetic may be given first for extra comfort.
- Second injection. The rest of the plasma is placed into the upper front wall of the vagina, the area that supports the urethra.
- Rest. You lie still for a few minutes, then dress and go home the same day.
The gynaecologist explains each step before it happens, and you can ask to pause at any point. A single treatment is common, and a repeat treatment later is discussed at your review.
Preparing for it
Choose an appointment day away from your period, as the vaginal wall is easier to examine and treat then. If there is any chance you could be pregnant, tell the team beforehand.
Bring a list of every medicine and supplement you take. Anti-inflammatory painkillers and some supplements, such as fish oil, reduce how well platelets work, so the gynaecologist may ask you to pause those you take for general aches beforehand. Keep taking any prescribed blood thinner or heart medicine unless the doctor who prescribed it advises a change.
Eat a normal meal and drink plenty of water, because good hydration makes the blood draw easier and helps prevent light-headedness. During Ramadan, an appointment after iftar is usually more comfortable for the same reason. Any vaginal infection found at the consultation is treated first. Wear loose, comfortable clothes and bring a panty liner for the journey home.
Afterwards
Mild tenderness, a feeling of fullness and light spotting at the injection sites are normal and settle within a day or so. A panty liner is enough for any spotting. Desk work and normal daily activity can usually resume the next day, or sooner if you feel comfortable.
Leave intercourse, tampons, swimming pools and hard exercise until the gynaecologist confirms the area has settled; you are told the timing for your case before you leave. In the Sharjah heat, wear breathable cotton underwear, change out of sweaty clothes promptly and wash the area with plain water. A review appointment is arranged to check how the tissue has settled and to discuss any further treatment.
Contact the hospital if pain, swelling or bleeding increases, if you notice a foul-smelling discharge, or if you develop a fever. **Go to the emergency department straight away if you have heavy bleeding, feel faint, or find it difficult to pass urine.**
Cost and insurance
The PRP O-Shot is an elective intimate treatment, and UAE insurance plans usually exclude elective and cosmetic procedures, so it is normally self-pay. The gynaecology consultation, swabs or screening tests used to investigate symptoms such as pain or leakage may be covered by your plan, sometimes with pre-approval. Ask for the full cost, including the blood preparation and any repeat treatment, at your consultation. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can explain the costs on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of a PRP O-Shot?
A PRP O-Shot commonly causes tenderness, mild swelling, light spotting and small bruises at the injection sites and at the blood draw site in the arm. Less often it can cause infection, a temporary change in sensation, or feeling faint during the blood draw. An allergic reaction to the plasma itself is very unlikely because it comes from your own blood. The gynaecologist explains how these risks apply to you before treatment.
Is there good evidence for the O-Shot?
The evidence for the O-Shot is still developing. Published studies so far are small and use different methods, so intimate PRP injection is regarded as an emerging treatment rather than an established standard of care. The gynaecologist explains what is known and what remains uncertain, so your decision is an informed one.
Does the O-Shot hurt?
The O-Shot is made as comfortable as possible with numbing cream on the vulva and, where needed, a small amount of local anaesthetic. Most of the sensation is a brief sting or pressure as the fine needle is placed. The blood draw feels like a routine blood test.
Who should not have an O-Shot?
An O-Shot is unsuitable during pregnancy, during an active vaginal or urinary infection, or for women with a blood or platelet disorder or a current cancer of the pelvic organs. Women taking blood thinners need an individual assessment. Tell the gynaecologist about your full medical history so the decision is made safely.
Can I have an O-Shot after menopause?
An O-Shot can be given after menopause, and it can sit alongside menopause treatments such as vaginal moisturisers or hormone therapy prescribed by your doctor. The gynaecologist first checks whether dryness or discomfort has another cause that needs its own treatment.
How is the O-Shot different from PRP for fertility?
The O-Shot places plasma into the tissue of the clitoral area and vaginal wall, and it is an intimate health treatment. PRP for fertility is placed inside the ovaries or the lining of the womb as part of a fertility plan. The plasma is prepared in a similar way, but the target, the timing and the purpose are different.
When can I have intercourse after an O-Shot?
Intercourse is usually resumed once the injection sites have stopped feeling tender, and the gynaecologist gives you the timing for your case before you leave. Waiting until any spotting has stopped lowers the chance of infection.
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