PRP for bladder leaks and vaginal dryness.
A hormone-free, in-office option for stress urinary incontinence and the dryness, irritation, and painful sex that can follow childbirth and menopause.
Sound familiar?
These changes are common, and they are treatable. Many women wait years to mention them.
Leaks with effort
Urine leaks when you cough, sneeze, laugh, lift, run, or jump. This is stress urinary incontinence, usually from weakened support around the urethra.
Dryness and irritation
Vaginal dryness, burning, or itching that lubricants only partly fix. After menopause this is called genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).
Painful or uncomfortable sex
Thinner, less elastic tissue can make intimacy painful, or make you avoid it altogether.
Recurring urinary symptoms
Urgency, frequency, or repeat bladder infections can come with thinning tissue around the urethra and vagina.
How PRP is used here
PRP is placed in two possible areas, depending on your symptoms.
For bladder leaks, PRP is injected into the tissue around the urethra (periurethral). The goal is to support the tissue that helps keep the urethra closed when pressure rises, such as during a cough or sneeze.
For dryness and painful sex, PRP is placed in the vaginal wall. Growth factors from your platelets are thought to encourage new collagen and blood vessels, which may improve thickness, moisture, and elasticity.
Many women have both concerns, so treatment can target one or both areas in the same visit. Because PRP contains no hormones, it can be an option for women who can't or prefer not to use vaginal estrogen.
Numb
A topical anesthetic is applied and left for about 20–30 minutes so you stay comfortable.
Prepare
While you numb, we draw a small blood sample and spin it to separate the platelet-rich plasma.
Place
PRP is injected with a fine needle around the urethra, in the vaginal wall, or both. The injections take a few minutes.
Who tends to do well
Your consultation confirms whether PRP makes sense for you, or whether another option would serve you better.
Often a good fit
- Mild to moderate stress incontinence
- Vaginal dryness, irritation, or pain with sex after childbirth or menopause
- Want a hormone-free option, or can't use estrogen
- Have tried pelvic floor therapy, moisturizers, or lubricants with partial relief
- Prefer an in-office treatment before considering surgery
Needs a closer look first
- An active urinary tract or vaginal infection (we treat this first)
- Unexplained bleeding, or a pelvic exam or Pap test that is overdue
- Mostly urge incontinence or significant prolapse, which may need a different plan
- History of gynecologic or bladder cancer
- Taking blood thinners, a platelet disorder, or pregnancy
What the research shows
We'll be straight with you about where PRP stands for this use today.
Stress urinary incontinence
Small studies and early randomized trials report fewer leaks and better quality-of-life scores for some women. Larger, longer trials are still needed.
Vaginal dryness & GSM
Pilot studies report improved moisture, comfort, and sexual function. Results across trials are mixed, and not all have shown a clear benefit over placebo.
Results vary from person to person.
PRP is a newer option for pelvic health. We'll tell you plainly if pelvic floor physiotherapy, vaginal estrogen, or another treatment is a better first step for you, and PRP can often be added alongside them.
From first visit to follow-up
Assessment & plan
We review your symptoms, pregnancies, menopause history, medications, and what you've already tried. An exam confirms PRP is appropriate and rules out infection or other causes.
Numb, draw, inject
Plan for about an hour. You can drive yourself home and return to most normal activities the same day.
Pelvic rest
Avoid intercourse, tampons, baths, swimming, and hard exercise for 48–72 hours. Mild cramping, spotting, or tenderness can happen and settles quickly.
Series & gradual change
Most plans include three sessions about 4–6 weeks apart. Improvement usually builds over the following months.
Review & top-up
We check in on how you're doing. Some women choose a yearly top-up session to maintain results.
PRP works best as part of a plan
We often combine PRP with other care so you get the most from treatment.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy
Strengthening and retraining the pelvic floor is the foundation for stress incontinence. Our team includes physiotherapy.
Vaginal moisturizers & estrogen
Where appropriate, local estrogen or non-hormonal moisturizers can be used alongside PRP.
Bladder habits
Simple changes to fluids, caffeine, and voiding routines can reduce urgency and leaks.
Specialist referral
If surgery or further testing is the better route, we'll coordinate with our urology team.
Frequently asked questions
Does PRP for incontinence or vaginal dryness hurt?
We use a topical anesthetic first, so most women describe pressure or a brief pinch rather than pain. The injections themselves take only a few minutes.
Is it the same as the "O-Shot"?
"O-Shot" is a brand name for one PRP protocol for vaginal and sexual health. We use PRP prepared from your own blood for the same purpose, with a plan tailored to your symptoms.
How soon will I notice a difference?
Some women notice changes within a few weeks, but most improvement builds gradually over one to three months as tissue responds.
Can I have PRP if I've had breast cancer or can't take estrogen?
PRP contains no hormones, which is one reason women ask about it. Your history still matters, so we'll review it carefully and may coordinate with your oncology team.
When can I have sex after treatment?
We recommend waiting 48 to 72 hours, along with avoiding tampons, baths, and swimming over that time.
Is it covered by Alberta Health?
No. PRP is considered elective and isn't covered by Alberta Health. Your consultation with our team is covered, and we'll go over pricing before anything is booked.
Other PRP treatments
Related services
Ready to talk about it?
You don't need to have the right words. Book a consultation and we'll take it from there.