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Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a non-surgical treatment that uses your blood platelets to address many health concerns — from joint pain to sexual health concerns to hair loss. At The Women’s Clinic in Lakewood, Washington, Jessica Kirkwood, ARNP, and the expert team provide PRP therapy for a wide range of needs. The women’s health Clinic takes a holistic, female-focused approach to care, providing all the services necessary to prevent, maintain, and promote health and wellness. Call today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about platelet-rich plasma at The Women's Clinic.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Q&A
What is platelet-rich plasma (PRP)?
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is plasma (the liquid portion of your blood) with added platelets.
Platelets are tiny cells that play a vital role in your body’s natural healing process. They’re best known for forming blood clots to stop bleeding, but platelets also contain specialized proteins that repair the injury to bring back elasticity and hydration.
PRP is made from a sample of your blood that spins in a centrifuge, separating the red and white blood cells from the platelets. The platelets are then added to the plasma to make PRP used for therapy.
What does PRP do?
The Women's Clinic uses PRP to accelerate the body’s healing process, addressing a wide range of conditions.
They may suggest platelet-rich plasma injections if you suffer from:
- Stress incontinence
- Lichen sclerosus (itchy, painful skin in the genital area)
- Lack of orgasms
- Painful sex
- Vaginal dryness
- Joint pain
- Hair loss
- Scarring
When injected into specific areas of the body, the platelets in the PRP support and stimulate the natural healing process. The team at The Women's Clinic has found that PRP therapy can reduce the use of pain medication.
What happens when getting PRP therapy?
Your provider at The Women's Clinic explains the details of your PRP therapy at your initial consultation so you know what to expect before, during, and after therapy.
After creating your PRP, your provider cleans the area of the body undergoing PRP treatment and uses a topical plus local anesthetic to minimize discomfort during the injection. Your provider carefully and expertly injects the PRP into the targeted area.
The team has you stay at the office following the injections for a short period of time before sending you home.
Results vary and take time to appear. The Women's Clinic team may recommend more than one PRP treatment to get the best results.
Is injecting PRP from my blood risky?
Platelet-rich plasma is made from your blood, so there’s little risk of having an adverse reaction. Most people have no problems with PRP therapy.
PRP is considered a safe procedure that causes minor side effects like inflammation and bruising that resolve quickly.
Call The Women's Clinic today or use the online booking button to learn more about platelet-rich plasma and how it may benefit you.