Many of you may have heard about the side effects of Viagra or other similar drugs, such as an erection that persists for several hours and doesn't subside. Although this might sound a bit funny, a prolonged erection without any sexual desire or no sign of subsiding could be a serious problem. In this article, we will discuss prolonged erections, specifically, what they are, what causes them, and what to do if they occur.
What is a Prolonged Erection, aka Priapism?
Erectile dysfunction, commonly known as prolonged erection, is a condition where the penis remains erect for several hours without any sexual stimulation. This occurs due to problems with blood flow in the penis, where the blood cannot circulate properly. The blood flow problems can be caused by blood disorders, poor blood flow in the blood vessels, muscle contraction issues, or even problems with the nerves of the penis.
Depending on the type of penile erection, the symptoms and causes of prolonged erections may vary.
What causes prolonged erections?
While prolonged erections are not common, they could happen to any penis, regardless of how old you are. males of all ages. There are two main types of priapism, ischemic (low-flow) and nonischemic (high-flow) priapism. Depending on the type of priapism you have, there are different causes.
Low-flow priapism often occurs when blood is stuck in the erection chambers and is unable to leave the penis. Or there might be a problem with the contraction of the smooth muscles in the penis. Most prolonged erections are low-flow priapism. This type of priapism includes recurrent priapism or stuttering priapism, where prolonged erection can happen more than once. Recurrent priapism is rare and only seen in men with sickle cell anemia, leukemia, malaria, or other blood disorders. It is said that 42% of the people who have sickle cell anemia experience priapism at some point in their lives.
Symptoms of low-flow priapism include:
Erections lasting for more than 4 hours
Rigid penile shaft with a soft tip
Pain in the penis
High-flow priapism or nonischemic priapism is rarer. It is usually caused by a ruptured artery from an injury or trauma to the penis or the area between the scrotum and anus; thus leading to the blood being unable to circulate properly. Unlike low-flow priapism, high-flow can be less painful and the erection might not be fully rigid. In this case, the penile tissue can continue to receive some blood flow and oxygen.
Aside from the causes mentioned above, priapism can also occur due to other factors that might affect blood flow such as:
Medications including erectile dysfunction medication, medications for anxiety disorders, antidepressants, and blood thinners
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Black widow spider bites
Metabolism disorder
Neurogenic disorder
Rare cases of cancers involving the penis
Trauma to the spinal cord or genital area
Drug use such as marijuana and cocaine etc.
Now that we know what it is and what could be causing it, it is more important to know what to do if you have a prolonged erection.
What should I do if my erection lasts too long?
A prolonged erection can be extremely painful. The blood that accumulates inside the penis becomes oxygen-starved due to poor blood circulation. If the erection lasts for an excessively long time (more than 4 hours), the lack of oxygen can cause damage to the penile tissue and even lead to erectile dysfunction. Although visiting a doctor due to prolonged erections might make people feel embarrassed or stressed, prolonged erections can potentially become a serious health issue. It is best to seek professional medical help as soon as possible. Therefore, if you experience symptoms of prolonged erections or feel pain, please seek medical attention immediately to receive appropriate treatment.