Losing your sense of smell affects far more than most people expect. It changes how food tastes, makes it harder to detect hazards, and can take a real toll on mood and quality of life. Standard treatments, such as nasal steroid sprays, saline rinses, and smell training, help some people, but not everyone improves. For those still struggling after months or years, researchers are exploring whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for smell loss could offer a new route to recovery.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in PubMed Central in 2025 brings together findings from seven clinical studies involving nearly 800 adults to look at the evidence more rigorously than any single study could.
What Is PRP?
PRP is made from a small sample of your own blood. The blood is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, the cells that help the body heal. The resulting plasma is rich in growth factors, proteins that encourage tissue repair and regeneration. PRP is already used in other areas of medicine, including joint injuries and dental procedures, which is what prompted researchers to test it on the damaged olfactory system.
If you’d like to know what receiving PRP treatment actually involves, Chrissi has written about her own experience of PRP injections for smell loss.
What Did the Review Find?
All participants in the studies reviewed had experienced smell loss for more than six months and had not improved with standard treatments beforehand. Across the seven studies, people who received PRP generally showed greater improvement in their sense of smell than those who received a placebo or no treatment at all. Improvements were measured both by patients’ own ratings of their smell ability and by objective clinical tests.
Some benefit was seen as early as one month after treatment, and several studies showed improvement lasting up to a year.
Does Age Make a Difference?
Yes, apparently so. The review found that younger patients, particularly those under 40, showed more consistent and larger improvements than older patients. The likely reason is that younger nerves and tissues have a greater capacity to regenerate. This does not mean PRP offers no benefit to older patients, but it is a factor worth discussing with a specialist.
How Safe Is It?
Safety findings were reassuring. Most studies reported no side effects at all. Where side effects did occur, they were mild and short-lived: nasal discomfort, a sense of pressure, or minor nosebleeds. No serious adverse events were reported.
What Are the Limitations?
The authors were careful to flag several important caveats.
The number of high-quality randomised trials is still small. Studies varied considerably in how PRP was prepared, how much was used, how often it was given, and how it was delivered. Different smell tests were used across studies, which makes direct comparison difficult.
Importantly, most participants had smell loss related to COVID-19. The findings may not apply equally to smell loss from other causes, such as head trauma or chronic sinus disease. More research is needed before we can say with confidence how PRP performs across different patient groups.
What Does This Mean for You?
PRP is not a proven cure, and it should not be approached as one. What this review suggests is that it may be a useful additional option for people who have already tried standard treatments such as nasal sprays and smell training without sufficient improvement.
If you are considering PRP, the most important step is to speak with an ENT specialist who can assess whether it is appropriate for your situation. Treatment protocols vary, costs can be significant, and not everyone will respond.
Smell training remains a core part of recovery for most people, whether or not PRP is also pursued.
Key Takeaway
A new systematic review found that PRP for smell loss produced greater improvements than placebo in adults who had not responded to standard treatments. Some participants saw benefit within a month; several studies showed improvement lasting up to a year. Younger patients tended to respond better. Side effects were rare and mild. The evidence is promising but still limited, and PRP is best considered an experimental option rather than a routine treatment. If you are interested, discuss it with a specialist.
