The Role of Platelet Rich Plasma Injections in Cases of Stress Incontinence

Urinary incontinence can impact on one's social, physical, mental, and sexual wellbeing, and lead to depression and social isolation.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) refers to the involuntary leakage of urine accompanying physical exertion (i.e. coughing, exercise, and sneezing). It is commonly acquired after pregnancy and childbirth due to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles that support the urethra against the anterior vaginal wall.

Current SUI treatment includes surgery to re-establish sufficient urethral resistance in order to prevent urine leakage during increased intra-abdominal pressure.

The mid-urethral sling (MUS) has become the preferred procedure, as it is less invasive than the Burch colposuspension. However, the MUS procedure has a 5-20% failure rate and carries risks such as infection, voiding dysfunction, hemorrhage, pain, bladder or urethral injury, and mesh erosion.

Hence, there is a need for alternative efficacious, outpatient SUI treatments. Platelet-derived therapies are a growing trend across multiple medical and surgical specialties. Evidence suggests that platelets play an important role in tissue repair, vascular remodeling and inflammatory and immune responses through secretion of growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines.