At Central CosMedic, Dr Danielle Waxman offers confidential, doctor-led consultations for sexual health and genitourinary concerns, for women and men across Havelock North, Hastings, Napier and the wider Hawke’s Bay.
Changes in sexual function, intimate comfort or bladder control are common, particularly with age, after childbirth and around menopause, but they can be hard to talk about. Dr Waxman provides a private, unhurried space to discuss them. This page explains the concerns she sees, how PRP treatment works and what the research does and does not yet show.
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. A small sample of your own blood is taken and spun to separate out the platelets, which contain growth factors involved in tissue repair. This concentrated plasma is then injected into specific areas, with the aim of supporting blood flow and the health of the tissues.
As PRP is made from your own blood, the risk of an allergic reaction is very low. The number of treatments varies, and many people have one or two.
For women with mild stress urinary incontinence, PRP is one of several options that may be considered. Pelvic floor exercises, ideally guided by a pelvic health physiotherapist, are usually the first step. Dr Waxman will talk through where PRP may fit alongside other female incontinence treatment, and when a referral would be more appropriate.
Erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of other health problems, such as heart disease or diabetes, so an assessment comes first. Erectile dysfunction treatment options include lifestyle changes, prescription medicines and, for some men, PRP for ED. Dr Waxman will explain which options suit you and how they can work together.
PRP for sexual health and genitourinary concerns is an active area of research, but it is worth being clear about where that research stands. Early studies are encouraging, but they are generally small and short-term, and PRP is not yet an established treatment for these conditions. Results vary from person to person.
Dr Waxman’s role is to give you an honest view, check for any underlying cause, and make sure PRP is not replacing a treatment that is more likely to help.
Treatment is only offered after a confidential consultation, and only when it is a sensible option for you.
Dr Waxman takes a full health history, including any medications you take, and talks through your concerns in a private and respectful setting.
She considers whether there could be an underlying cause that should be looked at first, and whether PRP, another treatment or a referral would suit you best.
You will hear the potential benefits, risks and side effects in plain terms, along with the costs, before you decide anything.
If you go ahead, you agree a plan together, including how many treatments may be needed and when to review how it is going.
An appointment usually takes around 60 minutes. Blood is taken from your arm in the same way as a routine blood test, and numbing cream is applied to the treatment area while the PRP is prepared. The injections themselves are quick. Most people return to their usual activities the same day, and Dr Waxman will give you aftercare advice, including when you can resume sexual activity.
Any changes tend to develop gradually over the weeks after treatment, as the tissues respond. Results vary from person to person, and some people notice little change. Dr Waxman will talk through realistic expectations at your consultation.
Common side effects include mild discomfort, swelling, redness or bruising in the treated area, which usually settle within a few days. Bruising where the blood was taken is also possible. Infection is uncommon.
PRP is not suitable for everyone, including people with certain blood disorders, active infections or some cancers, and those taking blood-thinning medicines. Your health history is reviewed before anything is recommended, and Dr Waxman will talk through the risks and potential benefits so you can make an informed decision. If you have any concerns after treatment, contact the clinic.
