Understanding Priapism: Symptoms, Causes, Risks, and Treatments
Priapism is a prolonged, often painful erection lasting more than 4 hours that’s not related to sexual arousal.
It can be caused by blood disorders (like sickle cell anaemia), medications (including ED drugs), or injury.
However, you need immediate medical treatment to prevent long-term damage to erectile tissue.
Priapism is a rare but serious condition that every man should understand.
In this blog, we explore types of Priapism, causes, and symptoms.
Also, discover the most effective treatment options to help you act quickly and preserve long-term sexual health.
What is Priapism?
The problem of Priapism occurs when blood in the male sexual organ gets trapped and is not able to drain.
If the condition is not treated on time, then you can suffer from scarring and permanent erectile dysfunction.
This medical condition can occur in all age groups, including newborn babies.
Priapism typically affects men in two age groups: 5–10 years and 20–50 years.
What are the types of Priapism?
The two main types of Priapism include low-flow and high-flow
Low-flow Priapism
When you suffer from low-flow Priapism, the blood gets trapped in the erection chambers.
This condition occurs in men without a known cause who are otherwise healthy.
It also affects men suffering from sickle-cell disease, malaria, or leukaemia.
High-flow Priapism
It is a very rare and non-painful condition.
High-flow Priapism is the result of a ruptured artery from an injury to the male sexual organ.
This further prevents blood in the male reproductive organs from circulating properly.
What are the Symptoms of Priapism?
Men suffering from Priapism usually experience prolonged penile erection as the primary symptom.
However, other symptoms mainly depend on the type of Priapism that occurs.
Some of the common symptoms of ischemic Priapism are stated below:
- Penile pain that increases with time
- An erection where the tip of the male sexual organ turns out soft
Note that non-ischemic Priapism is generally painless and causes an erection that is not completely rigid.
What are the Causes of Priapism?
When it comes to Priapism, there are several causes.
Some of them are stated below:
Medicines:
Certain medicines are responsible for affecting nerves in your body, including in the male reproductive organs.
Usually, these nerves widen the arteries that supply the male sexual organ.
This further allows it to become inflamed and erect.
Recreational or Illegal Drugs:
Intake of certain recreational drugs such as cocaine, crystal meth, ecstasy, and marijuana can lead to Priapism.
Cancers:
In very rare cases, Priapism might occur with some types of cancerous growths.
This condition mainly happens if they hinder the penile artery or nerve supply, causing blockages.
Blood disorders:
Some blood-related problems, like Multiple myeloma, thalassemia, and chronic leukaemia, can cause Priapism.
Thus, these are some major reasons that cause men to suffer from Priapism.
What are the Complications of Priapism?
Ischemic Priapism can lead to serious complications due to trapped, oxygen-deprived blood in the penis.
If an erection lasts longer than four hours, this lack of oxygen may damage or destroy penile tissue, increasing the risk of permanent erectile dysfunction.
Immediate medical attention is crucial of priapism seems painful and presisting for longer hours.
Treatment may involve medication, drainage, or other procedures to relieve the trapped blood and prevent long-term damage.
What are the Treatments for Priapism?
Doctors first assess whether it’s ischemic or non-ischemic.
If the erection lasts less than 4 hours, decongestant medications may be given to reduce blood flow and ease the erection.
These medicines are often effective within 4–6 hours of onset.
After 6 hours, or if the medicine is ineffective, other measures are required. These mainly include:
Ice packs:
If applied to the male sexual organ or perineum, ice packs can quickly decrease swelling as well as non-ischemic Priapism.
Aspiration:
The male sexual organ becomes numbed with medication, and a doctor inserts a needle.
Aspiration helps in draining the blood that is collected.
The procedure provides quick relief from pain and swelling.
Surgery:
When ice packs and aspiration are unsuccessful, surgery might be required to restore the flow of blood to the male sexual organ.
Insertion of a shunt, or extra passageway, can help drain extra blood and bring back circulation.
This is very effective in ischemic Priapism.
Summary:
Priapism is a prolonged erection that lasts over 4 hours, often causing pain and unrelated to arousal.
It can be caused by medications, blood disorders, or injury and requires urgent treatment.
Treatments include medications, ice packs, aspiration, or surgery, depending on the type and severity.
Early care can help prevent long-term damage to penile health.
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Priapism is often caused by trauma, leading to improper blood flow in the penis. Although oxygen is still delivered, blood doesn’t drain properly, which results in a prolonged erection.
The most common treatment of priapism is aspiration, where blood is drawn from the penis using a needle. Also, doctors may conduct saline flushing to relieve priapism. It helps to release pressure, ease pain, and help return the penis to a non-erect state.
Priapism may occur due to the use of antidepressants, antipsychotics, ED medications, anticoagulants, and recreational drugs like cocaine or amphetamines. Always review your medications with a doctor to avoid the risk.
Viagra rarely causes side effects like priapism. It, as a PDE 5 inhibitor, helps achieve erections by improving blood flow but doesn’t force one. However, misuse or combination with other ED drugs may increase the risk of prolonged erection.
Priapism is defined as an erection lasting over 3 to 4 hours without sexual stimulation. It’s a medical emergency, especially if it's ischemic (low-flow), and must be treated promptly to prevent long-term damage.
If priapism lasts under 12 hours, recovery chances are high. Between 12–24 hours, recovery drops to 78%. After 36 hours, recovery is unlikely, so early treatment is critical for preserving erectile function.