Rising public interest in stem cell therapy for erectile dysfunction: an analysis of public perception and a review of the literature

Purpose: The use of alternative treatment modalities for erectile dysfunction (ED) beyond phosphodiesterase inhibitors continues to grow within the practice of Urology. Utilizing U.S. Google trends as a novel epidemiological tool for geographically associating patient search intent, our study aims to capture trends relating to interest in stem cell therapy (SCT) as a potential treatment for ED.Methods: An online search was conducted to identify centers in the United States offering stem cell therapy (SCT) for erectile dysfunction (ED), using specific keywords such as "ED treatment," "stem cells for ED," and "sexual health stem cell." The geographic distribution of these centers was mapped, and their publicly available information was evaluated based on strict inclusion criteria, including direct claims of SCT efficacy for ED and oversight by a licensed urologist. The public interest in SCT treatment was quantified using Google Trends data from July 2018 to July 2023, utilizing search terms related to SCT and comparing them to terms associated with alternative regenerative therapies like platelet-rich plasma and shockwave treatments, to extract the direction and magnitude of national interest over the preceding 5 years. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were then searched from inception to May 2024 regarding evidence for the use of SCT to treat ED.Results: Despite insufficient evidence, public search interest demonstrates an upward trajectory of this treatment when compared to alternative regenerative therapies for ED. This increased interest in SCT as a potential treatment option for ED may be linked to the marketing efforts of commercial entities. Throughout the qualitative analysis of advertisement sources, only two websites (Stem Cells Transplant Institute, and Ambrose Cell Therapy) summarized the collective results of a directed clinical trial investigating the utility of SCT in ED patients.Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the public prevalence of patients seeking SCT as a treatment modality for ED is increasing. In addition, varied sources nationwide promote SCT despite limited scientific evidence and consensus. This disparity calls for additional prospective research on the viability, efficacy, and long-term safety of SCT in the context of ED.