In what is likely the first instance of liposuction-induced erections, scientists have found that stem cells taken from fat and injected into the penis may provide a long-term impotency treatment for men.

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At the European Association of Urology conference in London March 11-15, results from a new clinical trial showed that 8 out of 21 subjects successfully regained sexual function with the help of stem cell therapy.

Lead researcher, Dr. Martha Haahr of Odense University Hospital said in a statement, “What we have done establishes that this technique can lead to men recovering a spontaneous erection – in other words, without the use of other medicines, injections, or implants. We are now beginning a larger Phase 2 trial to better evaluate its effectiveness and confirm its safety.”

For the study, researchers used stem cells taken from fat that was liposuctioned out of the abdominal area. The stem cells were isolated, then injected into the region of the penis which contains most of the blood during an erection. The patients were discharged and then sent out to see how the treatment would work in real life. Within six months, 8 of the 21 men had recovered enough erectile function to have penetrative sex. The results have been maintained for a year, which lead experts to believe this could be a long-term solution. Participants in the trial had physical damage caused by prostate cancer surgery.

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“We are pleased with the preliminary outcomes, especially as these men had previously seen no effect from traditional medical treatment and continue to have good erectile function after 12 months follow-up, indicating that this might be a long-term solution,” said Haahr. “This suggests the possibility of therapeutic options for patients suffering from erectile dysfunction from other causes. But we need to remember that this is a small trial, with no control group. We’re still some time away from a clinically available solution”

Erectile dysfunction occurs in many men, especially as they age. According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 40 percent of males will experience this condition by the age of 40.

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