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Can stem cell therapy help erectile dysfunction? For some men, yes, and early studies are encouraging. Men with diabetes, men after prostate cancer surgery and men with long-standing ED have reported firmer, more reliable erections after injections of their own cells. Results vary from man to man, and because this is still a new treatment, more cases are needed to confirm how well and how long it works.
At Cell Grand Clinic in Osaka, we use your own cultured fat-derived stem cells under a treatment plan notified to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW, plan PB5250048). From JPY 2,970,000 (approx. USD 19,800) per session, tax included.
Below: what results men have seen by cause of ED, who it suits, what it costs, the step-by-step process, and safety.
- What Is Stem Cell Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction?
- Does Stem Cell Therapy Actually Work for ED?
- What Results Have Men Seen? By Cause of ED
- Who It May Suit, and Who Should Try Other Options First
- How Much Does Stem Cell Therapy for ED Cost?
- What Happens: Step by Step
- Is It Safe? Side Effects and What It Is Not
- Stem Cells vs Pills vs Shockwave
- Why Men Choose Cell Grand Clinic in Japan
- Ready to Stop Managing Symptoms and Start Repairing the Cause?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
What Is Stem Cell Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction?
Stem cell therapy for erectile dysfunction is a regenerative procedure that delivers mesenchymal stem cells — typically harvested from a patient’s own fat tissue — into the penile tissue and bloodstream to support repair of the vascular, muscular, and neural damage that contributes to ED.
Erections depend on healthy blood vessels, smooth muscle and nerves in the penis. Pills such as Viagra and Cialis boost blood flow for a few hours, but they do not repair this tissue, which is why they gradually stop working for many men, especially men with diabetes or after prostate surgery. Stem cell therapy aims at the tissue itself.
Does Stem Cell Therapy Actually Work for ED?
Short answer: it can, for some men. In clinical studies so far, men who received stem cell injections reported stronger erections and better sexual function, and side effects were minor. It does not work for everyone, and results tend to be better when the blood vessels and nerves are not too badly damaged.
Because stem cell therapy for ED is still a new treatment, most studies are small and more cases are needed. That is why Dr. Wakabayashi explains honestly what the research shows for your type of ED before you decide.
What Results Have Men Seen? By Cause of ED
ED With Diabetes
Diabetes slowly damages the small blood vessels and nerves that erections depend on, which is why pills often stop working. In a 2024 clinical trial, men with diabetes and long-standing ED received two injections of their own stem cells. Within six months, their erections on average went from hard, but not hard enough for penetration to hard enough for penetration, and they were still better than before treatment a year later. The effect lessened during the second year, so some men may benefit from a repeat treatment.
ED After Prostate Cancer Surgery
Even nerve-sparing surgery often leaves men with ED. In the first study using men’s own fat-derived cells, 8 of 11 men who had kept bladder control regained erections firm enough for intercourse after a single injection. A larger study did not confirm a benefit after surgery; because this is still a new treatment, more cases are needed.
Age-Related ED
With age, the blood vessels in the penis stiffen and the tissue loses elasticity, the same process that affects the heart and other arteries. This is why erections can weaken in your 50s and 60s even without diabetes or surgery. In a study of men with long-standing ED from mixed causes, a single injection of their own fat-derived stem cells improved erection scores within the first month, and some men saw a clear, meaningful improvement. Studies focused only on age-related ED are still to come.
A note on cell types: the studies above used cells from bone marrow or fat, prepared in different ways. Cell Grand Clinic uses your own fat-derived stem cells, grown in a dedicated cell processing facility for about seven weeks.
Who It May Suit, and Who Should Try Other Options First
Stem cell therapy may be worth discussing if:
- Pills such as Viagra or Cialis no longer work well for you, or you cannot take them
- Your ED is linked to diabetes, blood-vessel problems or ageing
- You want to address the tissue rather than take a pill before every encounter
- You are healthy enough to travel and to have a small fat harvest under local anesthesia
Other options usually come first if:
- Your ED is mild and still responds well to pills
- Low testosterone or a medication side effect is the main cause
- Your ED is mainly stress- or anxiety-related
- You have an active cancer or an untreated infection
Dr. Wakabayashi reviews your history and test results before recommending treatment, and will tell you if another option is likely to serve you better.
How Much Does Stem Cell Therapy for ED Cost?
Stem cell therapy at Cell Grand Clinic starts from JPY 2,970,000 (approx. USD 19,800) per session for 100 million of your own cells, tax included. The fee includes blood tests and the fat harvest.
An online consultation with Dr. Wakabayashi costs JPY 55,000 (60 minutes), and the full amount is credited toward treatment if you go ahead. Travel and accommodation are separate. Stem cell therapy for ED is not covered by insurance in the US or UK.
What Happens: Step by Step
1. Online consultation
You share your medical history and current treatments. Dr. Wakabayashi explains whether stem cell therapy suits your type of ED and what results are realistic.
2. Visit 1: fat harvest (about 3 days in Osaka)
A small amount of fat is taken from the abdomen under local anesthesia. The procedure takes about half a day, and blood tests are done on the same visit.
3. Cell culture (about 7 weeks)
Your cells are grown and quality-checked: culture is stopped at an early stage (passage 3), cell identity is confirmed by flow cytometry to international (ISCT) standards, viability is about 98%, and your cells are never pooled with anyone else’s.
4. Visit 2: treatment (about 3 days)
Your cells are injected into the erectile tissue of the penis under local anesthesia; depending on your plan, an intravenous drip may be added. Treatment takes about 60 to 90 minutes, followed by observation.
5. Follow-up
We follow up at 1, 3 and 6 months, online once you are home. Men who respond usually notice changes gradually over the following months.
Is It Safe? Side Effects and What It Is Not
Because the cells are your own, there is no risk of rejection. In published studies, side effects were mostly minor and short-lived: soreness or bruising where the fat was taken, and mild pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site.
What it is not: stem cell therapy for ED is not FDA-approved, US urology guidelines still regard it as under study, it does not work for every man, and it does not increase penis size.
Stem Cells vs Pills vs Shockwave
| Pills (Viagra, Cialis) | Shockwave therapy | Stem cell therapy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Boost blood flow for a few hours | Low-energy sound waves to encourage new blood vessels | Your own cells support repair of blood vessels, muscle and nerves |
| Often suited to | Most men, as a first step | Mild ED linked to blood flow | Men for whom pills no longer work, including diabetes-related ED |
| Research so far | Strong, decades of use | The most trial data among newer options | Early and encouraging; more cases needed |
| How often | Before each encounter | Usually several sessions over a few weeks | Usually one treatment visit; a repeat may be discussed |
Cell Grand Clinic provides stem cell therapy for ED. We do not offer shockwave therapy, and we will tell you if another treatment is likely to suit you better.
Why Men Choose Cell Grand Clinic in Japan
Japan regulates regenerative medicine by law: every clinic offering stem cell therapy must submit a treatment plan, reviewed by a certified committee, to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Cell Grand Clinic has 15 MHLW-notified regenerative medicine provision plans, including one for erectile dysfunction (PB5250048).
Treatment is led by Dr. Yuichi Wakabayashi, M.D., Ph.D., a Diplomate of the American Board of Regenerative Medicine (ABRM) and former research fellow at the US National Institutes of Health. He has performed more than 3,000 adipose-derived stem cell treatments for patients from about 20 countries, and he sees you at every step, from the first consultation to follow-up.
Ready to Stop Managing Symptoms and Start Repairing the Cause?
If you have spent years cycling through pills, injections, or vacuum devices — only to watch the underlying problem get worse — you have probably already done your research. You know the basics. The question now is: does your specific case qualify, and what would it actually cost?
Here is how to find out without committing to anything:
- Send your case via WhatsApp or email — medical history, current treatments, what is not working
- Dr. Wakabayashi reviews it personally — not delegated to a coordinator
- Get a written response within 24 hours with feasibility, treatment timeline, and price quote
- Decide on your timeline — most international patients schedule treatment 4–8 weeks after their first inquiry to allow for travel planning
Frequently Asked Questions
Does stem cell therapy work for ED?
It can for some men. In early studies, men with diabetes, men after prostate cancer surgery and men with long-standing ED reported firmer erections after injections of their own cells. Results vary, and because this is a new treatment, more cases are needed to confirm the benefit.
How long do the results last?
In a two-year study in men with diabetes, the improvement was strongest at six months, was still present at one year and faded during the second year. Some men may benefit from a repeat treatment, which your doctor can discuss with you.
How much does stem cell therapy for ED cost?
At Cell Grand Clinic, stem cell therapy starts from JPY 2,970,000 (approx. USD 19,800) per session for 100 million of your own cells, tax included. Blood tests and the fat harvest are included. The JPY 55,000 online consultation is credited toward treatment.
Is stem cell therapy for ED safe?
Because the cells are your own, there is no risk of rejection. In published studies, side effects were mostly minor and short-lived, such as soreness or bruising where fat was taken and mild pain or swelling at the injection site.
Can stem cell therapy help diabetic ED?
It may. In a clinical trial in men with diabetes, erections on average went from not hard enough for penetration to hard enough for penetration within six months of two stem cell injections, and remained better than before treatment at one year.
Does stem cell therapy work after prostate cancer surgery?
In the first study using men’s own fat-derived cells, most men who had kept bladder control regained erections firm enough for intercourse after one injection. A larger study did not confirm a benefit after surgery, so more cases are needed.
Is stem cell therapy for ED FDA-approved?
No. Stem cell therapy for ED is not FDA-approved, and US urology guidelines still regard it as under study. In Japan, Cell Grand Clinic provides it under a treatment plan notified to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (PB5250048).
Does stem cell therapy increase penis size?
No. Stem cell therapy for ED aims to improve erection quality. It does not increase penis size.
References
1. Al Demour S, et al. Stem cell therapy in diabetic men with erectile dysfunction: a 24-month follow-up. Basic Clin Androl. 2024;34:13. doi:10.1186/s12610-024-00229-y
2. Haahr MK, et al. Safety and potential effect of a single intracavernous injection of autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells in patients with erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy. EBioMedicine. 2016;5:204-210. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.01.024
3. Hansen ST, et al. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of adipose-derived regenerative cells injected into corpora cavernosum following radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol Focus. 2026;12(3):426-435. doi:10.1016/j.euf.2026.02.002
4. Fode M, et al. Feasibility of minimally invasive, same-day injection of autologous adipose-derived stem cells in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Scand J Urol. 2023;57(1-6):110-114. doi:10.1080/21681805.2022.2162117
Updated: 2026.10.05
