Everything You Need To Know About O-Shot

Let’s be honest, the thought of an injection in the vulva is somewhat terrifying. Add in the fact that the shot involves platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and you may be even more ready to jump to another article. But women have found the rejuvenating results of such injections to be worth any momentary discomfort. Intrigued? Here’s what you need to know about O-Shot for vaginal rejuvenation.

What Is O-Shot?

O-Shot refers to an “injection of platelets into numbed areas of the vagina, clitoris, and labia,” says Jason Emer, MD, a board certified cosmetic dermatologist in West Hollywood. The purpose is to heighten orgasms and improve sexual dysfunction. “This process uses your own body’s growth factors to stimulate healing and rejuvenation,” he explains.

The most well known version of the treatment is the Orgasm Shot®, which was coined by Charles Runels, MD — the same doctor that popularized the vampire facial with Kim Kardashian and the P-Shot (i.e. PRP injections into the penis). Although it’s gaining attention as a treatment option, there remains a lack of research into the use of PRP for women’s sexual health. In a 2014 pilot study that did not appear in a peer-reviewed publication, improvements in patient satisfaction and pain were noted but not considered statistically significant.

How Does O-Shot Work?

While it may sound hard to believe, O-Shot is one of those things where the knowledge of what’s happening is actually more painful than the experience itself. “With the topical numbing cream, they should not experience anything more than a little discomfort, if any at all,” Dr. Emer says.

Like a PRP treatment used for other aesthetic and therapeutic purposes, the procedure involves drawing a blood sample (usually the arm or some other non-invasive locale) and putting it into a centrifuge to isolate the platelet-rich plasma, which is packed with healing growth factors. The PRP solution is then injected into different parts of the vulva with a fine-gauge needle.

Depending on the patient’s preferences, the PRP can be injected into three major areas:

• The labia
• The internal vaginal canal
• The clitoral hood

When injected into the labia majora, it helps maintain volume and improve overall appearance. Injecting into the vaginal canal and clitoral hood, meanwhile, is thought to provide the functional and sensorial benefits. O-Shot boosts blood flow to the treatment area, which may heighten sensitivity to stimulation and increase libido. Some patients also report an increase in vaginal lubrication, as well as improvement in urinary function and incontinence.

The entire procedure takes 15 to 30 minutes, though it’s not a one-and-done thing. “O-Shot requires a series of treatments first, typically monthly for three treatments,” Dr. Emer says. After the initial three sessions, the patient can come in every three to six months to “maintain results and prevent the symptoms of aging in this area,” he adds.

As with any injection, “sensitivity and irritation are not uncommon or abnormal” after treatment, Dr. Emer says. Patients may feel a bit of pressure during treatment as the solution is injected, and there may be a mild stinging sensation that resolves within 15 minutes or so.

Best Candidates for O-Shot

The ideal candidate for O-Shot is a healthy patient concerned about sexual dysfunction or hoping to increase arousal, lubrication, sexual desire, and/or orgasm. Women with urinary leakage, chronic pain from childbirth, and those who experience painful intercourse may also benefit from O-Shot.

O-Shot Recovery & Results

After an O-Shot treatment, patients can engage in sexual activity the very same day, though Dr. Emer notes that “some sensitivity in the area should be expected for a day or two.” As a result of the needle, there may be mild bleeding or spotting, but it typically resolves in less than 24 hours.

In terms of when you can expect to feel the results, everyone is different. “Some of my patients see results almost immediately, while others may have to wait three to four weeks to see any sort of difference,” Dr. Emer explains. So, how long do results last? While it depends on the patient, Dr. Emer says it’s usually between three and six months, at which point, you can come in for another treatment.