Priapism
Priapism, deriving its name from the Greek god Priapus who had a disproportionately large and eternally-lasting erection, is a penis disorder that is diagnosed when an erection results in extreme pain and lasts for multiple hours without any stimulation.
There are two types of priapism: low-flow priapism and high-flow priapism. Low-flow priapism occurs when blood is trapped in the erection chambers and has a hard time draining. High-flow priapism occurs when an artery is ruptured due to an injured penis, also resulting in a trapping of blow in the penis shaft.
Notably, priapism can occur in females - a painful erection of the clitoris - and is also called clitorism. However, priapism is most noted for occurring in males, not females.
What Causes Priapism?
Little is truly known about the specific causes of priapism because of the complex brain factors associated with the disease.
Priapism occurs when the blood-flow to the tissue in the penis is disrupted. This can occur with a significant increase of blood flow to the penis tissue, or it can occur as a result of disruption of the drainage of blood from the penis.
The most common cause of priapism is the use or misuse of medications. Drugs such as Desyrel and Thorazine are two drugs known to cause priapism. In addition to medications, sickle cell anemia, penis injury or spinal injury, certain spider bites, carbon monoxide poisoning, cancer, and illicit drug use can all cause priapism.
Additionally, brain tumors, leucosis, and urological diseases can cause priapism.
How Do I Know if I Have Priapism?
Priapism occurs most frequently during sleep and brings with it severe symptoms that will alert you to an issue immediately if you experience them.
The following are symptoms of Priapism:
- Painful Erection
- Long-lasting Erection
- Ejaculation does not occur
At first, priapism can occur in small doses. The penis might stay erect, painfully so, for a few hours and then go away. This might occur once or twice a week at first, but then the symptoms will increase in severity, and the erection will not subside.
How is Priapism Treated?
As with any other disease, immediate treatment is crucial. The sooner you go to a doctor after noticing the symptoms, the better off that you will be.
Initially, a needle is inserted into the penis to drain any blood, and then drugs are injected into the penis. If this treatment does not work, surgery must be done. A surgery will result in shunt being placed inside the penis to drain the blood from the penis. It is extremely important that a medical physician be consulted for any blood-draining procedures.
In some extreme cases, gangrene has occurred, necessitating removal of the penis. Thus, it is extremely important to see medical treatment immediately.
Treatment generally depends on the cause of priapism. For example, sickle cell patients experiencing priapism would immediately have a blood transfusion. Some other patients are eligible for oral treatments.
Despite the ability to treat priapism, there is still the chance that erectile dysfunction will occur.
