Lasting Dangerously Too Long: Understanding Priapism
An erection lasting longer than it should isn’t simply a matter of discomfort; it can be a medical emergency. Oxygen-poor blood can become toxic to tissues, causing damage and possibly leading to scarring, disfigurement, or even permanent erectile dysfunction if left untreated for four to six hours. This condition is known as priapism.
despite common assumptions, priapism isn’t typically caused by sexual thoughts, stimulation, or unfulfilled desire. Most cases have a clear medical explanation.
Several factors can contribute to ischemic priapism, including:
* Erectile Dysfunction Treatments: Drug injections for ED, particularly when used in doses exceeding prescribed amounts, and oral ED medications.
* Medication Side Effects: The use or misuse of medications like antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, antipsychotics, and blood thinners.
* substance Use: Illicit drug use, including marijuana, ecstasy, and cocaine, as well as recreational use of ED drugs or excessive alcohol consumption.
* Underlying medical Conditions: Conditions affecting blood cell adaptability, such as sickle-cell anemia, or those increasing blood clot risk, like diabetes.
* Trauma: Injury to the pelvic or genital area,potentially causing a ruptured artery and disrupting normal circulation.
* Neurological Issues: Spinal cord injury.
* Toxins: Poisonous venom from black widow spider bites or carbon monoxide poisoning.
* Serious Illnesses: cancers affecting the penis and its blood flow.
* Hazardous substances: The use of “aphrodisiacs” like spanish fly.
while uncommon, priapism is an emergency. Individuals should seek immediate medical attention if they experience excess swelling, pain, or an unusually prolonged erection.A recurring pattern of persistent, unwanted erections lasting 2-3 hours – known as stuttering priapism – also warrants a visit to a physician.
Self-treatment is strongly discouraged. Effective treatment, resolute by the suspected cause, may involve:
* Medications to decrease blood flow to the penis.
* Ice packs to reduce swelling.
* Aspiration, where excess blood is drained from the penis using a needle, often followed by a saline flush.
* Surgical ligation to repair a ruptured artery.
* Surgical shunt creation to divert blood flow and restore normal circulation.
* Intracavernous injection to narrow arteries,reducing blood flow and alleviating swelling.
With timely treatment, the prognosis for recovery is generally positive. Preventing future occurrences – or initial onset – can involve avoiding triggers, hormone therapy, medication adjustments, prescription muscle relaxants, self-injections of phenylephrine, or managing underlying physical conditions.
Priapism can affect males of all ages, even newborns, but is most frequently observed in boys aged 5-10 and men aged 20-50. the condition’s name originates from the Greek god Priapus, who, according to legend, was cursed with impotence while still in his mother’s womb. To avoid a similar fate, prompt medical attention is crucial.
Dr. Yvonne K. Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-on Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”
