An erection that won’t quit probably doesn’t sound like a wellness concern to you, but for some men, a prolonged erection is an unwanted occurrence that’s actually very painful. Known as priapism, a prolonged erection isn’t caused by sexual stimulation or arousal, but it is a serious matter of sexual health and wellbeing. The uncommon condition needs immediate medical attention, as without prompt treatment, the tissues may become so damaged that it could dampen your ability to get or maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction). You’re more likely to be affected by priapism if you’re between the ages of five and 10, and 20 and 50. The abnormally persistent erections you experience are not related to sexual stimulants. There are different symptoms of priapism, depending on the type of condition you have:
Ischemic priapism: Also called low-flow priapism, ischemic priapism is the more common type of the condition. It occurs when blood is unable to leave your penis, and signs and symptoms include:
- An unwanted erection that lasts for more than four hours
- An unwanted erection that lasts off and on for several hours (also known as stuttering priapism)
- A rigid penile shaft, but usually soft tip of penis (glans)
- A usually painful or tender penis
Non-ischemic priapism: This form of priapism – also known as high-flow priapism – can come about if too much blood flows into your penis (hence the name). This is the less common of the two types, which is a shame as this is the form of priapism that is usually painless. The signs and symptoms of non-ischemic priapism include:
- An unwanted erection that lasts for at least four hours
- An erect but not rigid penile shaft
So that’s the signs and symptoms, but which ones are worth going to the emergency room for, and which are something that your GP can deal with? For erections that last longer than four hours, you need immediate treatment and should head to the ER. However, if you have painful, persistent erection – but it resolves on its own in less than four hours – you should see your doctor. While the erection may have gone away on its own, you may need treatment to prevent further episodes. As to why your condition has occurred in the first place, there are many potential causes of priapism, including underlying medical conditions that your doctor may need to test for. Factors that can contribute to priapism include the following:
Blood disorders: This is often the case with ischemic priapism, as the blood isn’t able to flow out of your penis. Sickle cell anaemia is the most common cause of priapism in boys, but leukaemia can also cause the condition to occur.
Prescription medications: A number of drugs list priapism as a side effect. These include oral medications taken to manage erectile dysfunction problems (like Viagra), drugs injected directly into the penis to treat erectile dysfunction, antidepressants, drugs used to treat psychotic disorders, and blood thinners.
Alcohol and drug use: Whether you drink too much, use erectile dysfunction medications when you don’t have a medical need for them, or take illegal drugs such as marijuana or cocaine, alcohol and drug misuse can cause priapism to occur.
Injury: Often, non-ischemic priapism is cuased by trauma or injury to your genitals, pelvis or the perineum.
Other factors: Other causes of priapism include spinal cord injury, blood clots and poisonous venom, such as venom from scorpions or black widow spiders. However, sometimes doctors are just unable to identify the cause of the condition.