The Optimal Shot
in Greenville, SC
Dr. Katherine Birchenough was one of the first physicians in South Carolina to be certified in functional medicine. She is also an expert in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, certified in peptide therapy, and is board-certified in emergency medicine. Dr. Shawn Birchenough is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast surgery and aesthetics. We are Greenville’s premier physician-run medical Wellness and Aesthetics center. At OptimalSelf MD, we offer functional medicine services for men and women in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Spartanburg, and the surrounding communities in South Carolina.
Are you a man who is suffering from weakening erections, penile shortening or curvature? Are you a woman who is having a decrease in sexual pleasure, poor lubrication, pain with intercourse or an inability to achieve an orgasm?
For both men and women, changes in sexual function can have a very significant impact on self-esteem and can affect the dynamic of an otherwise healthy and fulfilling relationship. Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection and/or concerns about penile size, shape and curvature commonly happen to men as they age. Decreased sexual pleasure for a woman can stem from poor lubrication, pain with intercourse, decreased sensation, and difficulty or inability achieving orgasm. With increasing age, the blood vessels in the pelvis and sexual organs can collapse or breakdown resulting in lack of circulation, and the nerves can become less sensitive, resulting in difficulty getting aroused.
For men, commonly used treatments include prescription medications used orally or even injected into the penis before anticipated intercourse. This has to be done every time, and although they can help with erectile strength, they do nothing for sensation, strength of orgasm, or overall health.
For women, the choices are even less reliable. Kegel exercises can help but have to be done regularly to see a good result. There are a variety of lubricants available that can help with dryness. And, there are lasers available that can help with urinary incontinence and and vaginal tightening. However, none of these can increase sensation and restore sexual pleasure.
When given the opportunity, our bodies have a remarkable capacity to heal themselves. Regeneration of new tissue is accomplished by the activation of stem cells with specific growth factors. The field of regenerative medicine harnesses the power of stem cells to restore function to the body, heal damaged or injured tissue, and reverse signs of aging.
The Optimal Shot uses growth factors from Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) from your own bloodstream, or from natural biologics (stem cells & exosomes) to stimulate cellular renewal and repair. Platelets, the sticky cells in our blood that help form clots, release potent growth factors when stimulated. The growth factors and proteins released by the PRP activate stem cells, promote collagen production, and initiate new blood vessel and nerve cell growth at the site of injection.
How is the PRP acquired?
At your appointment, approximately 2 ounces of blood will be drawn with a butterfly needle and syringe. It is then processed with a special centrifuge in a 2-step process yielding about 10 ml of “liquid gold”.
Additionally, we now provide the option of turbo-charging your PRP with a safe and powerful product providing peptides, growth factors, and exosomes derived from human birth tissue products. You can also opt to use the natural biologics products alone, without PRP. This is a decision you can make at your consultation.
How long does The Optimal Shot take to perform?
After your blood is drawn, a numbing cream is applied to your genitals. You will let this work for about 20-30 minutes. During this time, you may have forms to fill out and we may go over after-care instructions. For women, just prior to the procedure, a small amount of anesthetic is injected next to the clitoris. For men, a penile nerve block is done with an injectable anesthetic. This ensures that minimal, if any, pain is felt during the procedure. You can also opt to use Pro-Nox, a procedural form of nitrous oxide that many patients find helps them relax during the procedure and eliminates nervousness. The injections are then done by the doctor or nurse practitioner, and this takes about 15 minutes for women, and about 20 minutes for men because there are a few extra steps. We inject the purified concentrated amniotic fluid product into key areas that activate sexual response, including lubrication and orgasm. The process of injecting activates the unipotent stem cells located in the vaginal and clitoral tissues to regenerate and restore functional potential.
You are then able to resume normal activity, and can drive yourself home.
Is there anything else I will need to do?
Although there is no specific aftercare, for men desiring optimal results, we encourage the use of a vacuum erectile device (VED) up to twice daily for a 6 weeks following the procedure. For women, we recommend the use of the JoyLux vFit device. We provide these devices in the office and instruct you on proper use at the first session.
When does it start to work?
Women often enjoy some effects of the procedure almost immediately, as the growth factors begin to rejuvenate and enhance the sexual response. Women receiving the procedure have reported an increase in their sexual response within days and weeks of the treatment – and for many, issues with incontinence are completely resolved.
For men, the resulting benefits typically include tissue growth that increases growth of new blood vessels and improved circulation within the penis, stronger erections, increased sensation and pleasure and enhanced sexual performance. Some men report changes in girth and length of the penis. Many of these benefits are experienced immediately after receiving the injection.
When can I resume sexual activity?
You may resume sexual activity the next day.
What are the potential side effects of The Optimal Shot?
The potential side effects are minimal and include minor bruising, swelling, soreness, occasional minor bleeding, and very rarely, infection. If you are taking any blood thinners like Plavix, aspirin, Coumadin, Xarelto, or Eliquis, you may not be a good candidate, and these MUST be held prior to treatment.
How long will the results last?
With PRP alone, as long as the after-care instructions are carefully followed, you can expect results lasting a year and sometimes longer. If you opt for the natural biologics upgrade using stem cells or exosomes, results can last 2 years or more.
What Benefits Can a Man Have from The Optimal Shot?
- Stronger, firmer erections
- Increased sensitivity in the penis
- Easier to achieve and maintain erections (i.e., improved sexual stamina)
- Some men report increased penile length and girth, although this is not expected or guaranteed
- Greater self-esteem
- Improvement of penile curvature & pain from Peyronie’s Disease
- Resolution of penile pain with erections
- Better overall blood flow to the penis
What Benefits Can a Woman Have from The Optimal Shot?
- Decreased or completely resolved pain during sex (known as dyspareunia)
- Increased ability to have vaginal orgasms
- Stronger and more frequent orgasms
- Greater arousal from clitoral stimulation
- Increased vaginal lubrication
- A tighter vaginal canal (if felt to be too loose prior)
- A more elastic vaginal canal (if felt to be too tight prior, usually after menopause)
- Younger, smoother skin externally (lips of the vagina)
- Decreased overactive bladder and/or urinary incontinence
For Best Results:
We recommend starting with natural hormone balancing, and combining The Optimal Shot with StaminaWave (for men) or the Triple-OH! procedure (for women).
OptimalSelf MD is one of the first centers in South Carolina to offer plastic surgery, aesthetics, and wellness for men and women in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Spartanburg, and the nearby areas of South Carolina. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your functional medicine treatment plan.