Abdominal fat cells and penile vascular repair
Quick answer
Most erectile dysfunction is vascular in origin: when penile vessels lose elasticity, blood escapes and erection cannot be sustained. The approach EHL Bio cites injects the patient's own abdominal fat-derived mesenchymal stem cells into the corpus cavernosum. The referenced study (Urology 2018;121:203.e6-203.e13) reported that six months after a single injection, participants' IIEF scores rose from about 6 to about 12 — moving from severe to mild-moderate dysfunction.
The IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function) is a validated scale where 5-7 is severe, 12-16 mild-to-moderate and 22-25 normal. A move from 6 to 12 is meaningful improvement, but still short of normal function.
Notably, that study used cells selected from fat without culture expansion, given as a single injection in a small participant group — so the results warrant caution pending larger confirmation.
Before considering cell therapy, work up the underlying causes: diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, low testosterone, sleep apnoea, medication side effects and stress or depression. Many cases improve once the root cause is addressed.
Established options include PDE5 inhibitors, lifestyle change, exercise, and in selected cases low-intensity shockwave therapy or penile implant surgery. Work through these before pursuing investigational routes.
The cited study used a single injection with 12-month follow-up, but the sample was small, so it cannot be treated as a standard.
Shockwave stimulates vessel formation without surgery or cell harvesting, has more clinical data and costs less, so it is usually considered first.
Diabetes is a common cause; good glucose control beforehand is the most important precondition whichever route is chosen.
Main risks are bleeding, bruising and injection-site infection, with limited long-term data, so it should be done in a facility with urologist oversight.
Last updated: 2026-08-28 · This content is for information only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified doctor before making treatment decisions.
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