He Priapism is a prolonged erection of the penis. Full or partial erection continues hours later or is not caused by sexual stimulation. The main types of priapism are ischemic and non-ischemic. Ischemic priapism is a medical emergency.
Although priapism is a rare condition overall, it commonly occurs in certain groups, such as people who have sickle cell disease.
Immediate treatment for priapism is usually needed to prevent tissue damage that could cause the inability to get or keep an erection (erectile dysfunction).
Priapism most commonly affects men age 30 and older, but it can start in childhood in children with sickle cell disease. In The Truth News we tell you more about this.
symptoms of priapism
The symptoms of priapism They vary depending on the type of priapism. The two main types of priapism are ischemic and non-ischemic.
Ischemic priapism, also called low flow priapism, is the result of the inability of blood to flow out of the penis.
Blood is trapped in the penis because it cannot get out of the veins inside it or because there is a problem with the contraction of the smooth muscles within the erectile tissue of the penis.
Ischemic priapism is the most common type of priapism and requires immediate medical attention to prevent complications resulting from lack of sufficient oxygen to the penile tissue.
Signs and symptoms include the following:
- Erection that lasts more than four hours or is not related to sexual interest or stimulation
- Body of the penis rigid, but the tip (glans) is soft
- Pain in the penis, which gets progressively worse
Recurrent priapism (also called intermittent priapism) is a form of ischemic priapism.
Recurrent priapism is a rare condition that describes repeated episodes of prolonged erections and usually includes episodes of ischemic priapism. It occurs most often in men who have an inherited disorder characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells (sickle cell disease).
Sickle cells can block blood vessels in the penis. In some cases, the condition begins with unwanted and painful erections that last for a short time, and can then progress to more frequent and prolonged erections. Recurrent priapism can start in childhood.
Non-ischemic priapism, also known as high-flow priapism, occurs when blood flow through the arteries of the penis does not work properly.
However, the penile tissues still receive some blood circulation and oxygen. Non-ischemic priapism often results from trauma.
Signs and symptoms include the following:
- Erection that lasts more than four hours or is not related to sexual interest or stimulation
- Penile shaft erect but not completely rigid
- not usually painful
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Causes of priapism
Normally, an erection occurs in response to physical or psychological stimulation. This stimulation causes certain smooth muscles to relax, increasing blood flow to the spongy tissues of the penis.
As a result, the blood-filled penis becomes erect. After the stimulation ends, blood flows and the penis returns to its non-rigid (flaccid) state.
Priapism occurs when some part of this system, such as the blood, blood vessels, smooth muscles, or nerves, changes normal blood flow and the erection persists. The underlying cause of priapism often cannot be determined, but several conditions can play a role.
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