Can PRP Therapy Help Improve Male Fertility? What Los Angeles Men Should Know About This Emerging Treatment

Posted on December 10, 2025 by root

Male infertility contributes to nearly half of all cases where couples struggle to conceive, affecting millions of men across the United States. While proven treatments like hormonal therapy, varicocele repair, microsurgical sperm retrieval, and assisted reproductive technologies remain the foundation of fertility care, some men continue to face challenges with poor sperm parameters or unexplained infertility despite these interventions.

Dr. Justin Houman, a board-certified urologist and fellowship-trained men’s reproductive health specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, stays at the forefront of emerging research in male fertility. One therapy generating significant interest in the andrological community is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection into testicular tissue—a regenerative approach that may offer hope for men with limited treatment options.

How PRP Works and Why Researchers Are Exploring It for Fertility

Platelet-rich plasma is created by drawing a small sample of the patient’s own blood, processing it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting the resulting plasma into targeted tissue. Platelets contain powerful growth factors that support cellular repair and tissue regeneration.

Key growth factors released by platelets include:

• PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor): stimulates cell growth and blood vessel formation
• TGF-Beta (Transforming Growth Factor): supports tissue repair and reduces inflammation
• VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor): promotes new blood vessel development
• IGF (Insulin-Like Growth Factor): encourages cellular regeneration and healing
• FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor): aids in tissue remodeling and repair

These biological molecules work together to improve blood flow, reduce oxidative stress, and support tissue healing. PRP has been successfully used for years in orthopedics, wound care, and regenerative medicine. More recently, urologists and andrologists have begun exploring whether these same regenerative properties could benefit testicular function and sperm production.

What Current Research Tells Us About PRP and Male Fertility

While PRP for male infertility remains investigational, peer-reviewed studies from 2023 through 2025 have produced encouraging preliminary data that warrants attention from both patients and physicians.

Research has examined PRP’s effects on men with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT)—a condition characterized by low sperm count, poor motility, and abnormal morphology. Studies have reported statistically significant improvements in sperm concentration, progressive motility, and DNA integrity following intratesticular PRP injection. Lower DNA fragmentation index scores are particularly meaningful, as high sperm DNA damage is associated with reduced pregnancy rates and increased miscarriage risk.

Laboratory studies have also shown that sperm incubated with PRP demonstrate reduced oxidative stress and improved mitochondrial function. Since healthy mitochondria are essential for sperm motility, these findings suggest a biological mechanism through which PRP may support fertility.

Perhaps most compelling are studies involving men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) who had previously undergone unsuccessful microsurgical sperm retrieval procedures. In one prospective case series, intratesticular PRP injection resulted in successful sperm retrieval in a meaningful percentage of men who had previously failed micro-TESE—offering a potential second chance for men facing extremely limited options.

Potential Benefits of PRP for Men Struggling with Fertility

Based on current evidence, PRP therapy may offer several advantages for select patients dealing with male factor infertility.

Improved Sperm Count and Motility
Human studies have documented measurable improvements in both sperm concentration and progressive motility after intratesticular PRP treatment. For men with severe OAT, these improvements could make the difference between having enough viable sperm for assisted reproduction and having none.

Reduced Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is one of the most common and damaging factors in male infertility. Reactive oxygen species attack sperm membranes and DNA, compromising function and genetic integrity. Research confirms that PRP’s growth factors can decrease oxidative damage and stabilize mitochondrial function.

Better Sperm DNA Integrity
High DNA fragmentation reduces fertilization success and increases pregnancy loss. Studies show PRP may significantly improve DNA integrity, making it a potentially valuable preparation before IVF or ICSI cycles for men with documented fragmentation issues.

Enhanced Testicular Blood Flow
Healthy spermatogenesis requires adequate oxygen and nutrient delivery to testicular tissue. PRP stimulates angiogenesis—the formation of new blood vessels—which may benefit men recovering from varicocele damage, prior testicular injury, or chronic inflammation.

A Low-Risk, Autologous Option
Because PRP comes from the patient’s own blood, it carries minimal risk of allergic reaction, infection, or rejection. There’s no exposure to synthetic hormones or donor biologics, making it a biologically conservative approach to regenerative therapy.

Possible Hormonal Support
Emerging data suggests PRP may support improved testosterone production and higher inhibin B levels, indicating better Sertoli cell function. While this research is preliminary, it aligns with what we know about PRP’s regenerative capabilities.

Who Might Be a Candidate for PRP Fertility Therapy

PRP is not a first-line treatment and isn’t appropriate for every patient. However, it may warrant consideration for men in specific circumstances.

Patients who may benefit from exploring PRP include:

• Men with Severe OAT: those with persistently poor semen parameters despite conventional treatment
• Men with High DNA Fragmentation: especially those preparing for IVF or ICSI
• Men with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: particularly those who have undergone unsuccessful sperm retrieval procedures
• Men Recovering from Varicocele Repair: who want to optimize testicular recovery
• Men with Unexplained Infertility: who have exhausted standard interventions

A thorough evaluation is essential before considering any emerging therapy. This includes comprehensive semen analysis, hormonal assessment, genetic testing when indicated, and a detailed discussion of realistic expectations.

Important Limitations to Understand

Transparency matters when discussing investigational treatments. While early results are promising, PRP for male infertility is not yet considered standard of care. Key limitations include relatively small study sample sizes, variability in PRP preparation and injection protocols across different research groups, and limited long-term data on pregnancy and live birth outcomes.

Men considering PRP should approach it as a promising adjunctive therapy rather than a proven standalone solution. It works best when integrated into a comprehensive fertility treatment plan that may include hormonal optimization, surgical correction of varicoceles, lifestyle modifications, and coordination with reproductive endocrinologists.

Our Approach to Male Fertility in Los Angeles

At our Los Angeles practice, we believe in offering patients access to innovative treatments grounded in sound science—without overpromising results. Dr. Houman’s fellowship training in Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at UCLA, combined with his ongoing research contributions and academic role at Cedars-Sinai, ensures that patients receive care informed by the latest evidence and techniques.

Our comprehensive approach to male fertility includes advanced semen analysis and hormonal evaluation, microsurgical varicocelectomy when indicated, sperm retrieval procedures for azoospermia, fertility preservation for cancer patients, and honest conversations about both established and emerging therapies.

We serve men throughout the greater Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Malibu, and the San Fernando Valley communities of Encino, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Calabasas, and Thousand Oaks.

Take the Next Step Toward Building Your Family

If you’re struggling with male infertility and want to explore all your options—including cutting-edge regenerative approaches—Dr. Justin Houman and our team are here to help. We provide personalized, evidence-based care tailored to your unique situation and goals.

Contact our Los Angeles office at (310) 854-9898 or visit us at 8635 W 3rd St, Suite 1W, Los Angeles, CA 90048 to schedule your consultation. Your fertility journey deserves expert guidance from a specialist who understands both the science and the deeply personal nature of this challenge.