What happens if you have an erection for more than 4 hours?

Ischemic priapism can cause serious complications. The blood trapped in the penis is deprived of oxygen. When an erection lasts for too long — usually more than four hours — this lack of oxygen can begin to damage or destroy tissues in the penis. Untreated priapism can cause erectile dysfunction.

mayoclinic.org - Priapism - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Is dark chocolate good for blood pressure?

Eating dark chocolate is a great way to incorporate more cacao into your diet, which can help to lower your high blood pressure! The flavonoids in...

Last updated Jul 30, 2019

Is pumpkin good for enlarged prostate?

observed a reduction of prostate size with pumpkin seed oil [20]. This effect has been confirmed by other in vitro and animal studies [21,22,23]....

Last updated Sep 7, 2019

Promotion

Overview

Priapism is a prolonged erection of the penis. The full or partial erection continues hours beyond or isn't caused by sexual stimulation. The main types of priapism are ischemic and nonischemic. Ischemic priapism is a medical emergency. Although priapism is an uncommon condition overall, it occurs commonly in certain groups, such as people who have sickle cell disease. Prompt treatment for priapism is usually needed to prevent tissue damage that could result in the inability to get or maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction). Priapism most commonly affects males in their 30s and older, but can begin in childhood for males with sickle cell disease.

Symptoms

Priapism symptoms vary depending on the type of priapism. The two main types of priapism are ischemic priapism and nonischemic priapism.

Ischemic priapism

Ischemic priapism, also called low-flow priapism, is the result of blood not being able to leave the penis. Blood is trapped in the penis because it cannot flow out of the veins of the penis or there is a problem with the contraction of smooth muscles within the erectile tissue of the penis. Ischemic priapism is the more common type of priapism and requires immediate medical care to prevent complications caused by not getting enough oxygen to the penile tissue.

Signs and symptoms include:

Erection lasting more than four hours or unrelated to sexual interest or stimulation

Rigid penile shaft, but the tip of penis (glans) is soft

Progressively worsening penile pain

Stuttering priapism — also called recurrent or intermittent priapism — is a form of ischemic priapism. An uncommon condition, stuttering priapism describes repetitive episodes of prolonged erections and often includes episodes of ischemic priapism. It occurs more often in males who have an inherited disorder characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells (sickle cell disease). Sickle cells can block the blood vessels in the penis. In some cases, the condition starts off with unwanted and painful erections of short duration and might progress over time to more-frequent and more-prolonged erections. Stuttering priapism may begin in childhood.

Nonischemic priapism

Nonischemic priapism, also known as high-flow priapism, occurs when blood flow through the arteries of the penis isn't working properly. However, the penile tissues continue to receive some blood flow and oxygen. Nonischemic priapism often occurs due to trauma.

Signs and symptoms include:

Erection lasting more than four hours or unrelated to sexual interest or stimulation

Erect but not fully rigid penile shaft

Usually not painful

When to see a doctor

If you have an erection lasting more than four hours, you need emergency care. The emergency room doctor will determine whether you have ischemic priapism or nonischemic priapism. If you experience recurrent, persistent, painful erections that resolve on their own, see your doctor. You might need treatment to prevent further episodes.

What does a physically fit man look like?

“The average man in peak physical condition should have around 10 per cent body fat or less, with a waist circumference under 35 inches,” says...

Last updated Aug 13, 2022

Which country has the highest testosterone levels?

The United States Developed Countries Have Higher Testosterone The United States is said to have the largest levels of testosterone in the world....

Last updated Apr 7, 2022

Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!

Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster

Learn More »

Promotion

Causes

An erection normally occurs in response to physical or psychological stimulation. This stimulation causes certain smooth muscles to relax, increasing blood flow to spongy tissues in the penis. As a result, the blood-filled penis becomes erect. After stimulation ends, the blood flows out and the penis returns to its nonrigid (flaccid) state. Priapism occurs when some part of this system — the blood, vessels, smooth muscles or nerves — changes normal blood flow, and an erection persists. The underlying cause of priapism often can't be determined, but several conditions may play a role.

Blood disorders

Blood-related diseases might contribute to priapism — usually ischemic priapism, when blood isn't able to flow out of the penis. These disorders include:

Sickle cell disease

Leukemia

Other blood diseases (hematologic dyscrasias), such as thalassemia and multiple myeloma

The most common associated diagnosis in children is sickle cell disease.

Prescription medications

Priapism, usually ischemic priapism, is a possible side effect of a number of drugs, including: Medications injected directly into the penis to treat erectile dysfunction, such as alprostadil (Caverject, Edex, others), papaverine, phentolamine (Oraverse) and others Antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), bupropion (Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR), trazodone and sertraline (Zoloft)

Alpha blockers including prazosin (Minipress), terazosin, doxazosin (Cardura) and tamsulosin (Flomax)

Medications used to treat anxiety or psychotic disorders, such as hydroxyzine (Vistaril), risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), lithium (Lithobid), clozapine (Clozaril), chlorpromazine and thioridazine

Blood thinners, such as warfarin (Jantoven) and heparin

Hormones such as testosterone or gonadotropin-releasing hormone

Alcohol and drug use

Alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and other drugs can cause priapism, particularly ischemic priapism.

Injury

A common cause of nonischemic priapism is trauma or injury to your penis, pelvis, or the region between the base of the penis and the anus (perineum).

Other factors

Other causes of priapism include:

A spider bite, scorpion sting or other toxic infections

Metabolic disorders including gout or amyloidosis

Neurogenic disorders, such as a spinal cord injury or syphilis

Cancers involving the penis

Complications

Prevention

If you have stuttering priapism, to prevent future episodes your doctor might recommend:

mayoclinic.org - Priapism - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

What to eat after waking up?

Food as Fuel: 10 Things to Eat on Tired Mornings Avocado. Avocados are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats that give our body energy...

Last updated Jun 20, 2019

Is zinc OK everyday?

The recommended daily amount of zinc is 8 milligrams (mg) for women and 11 mg for adult men.

Last updated Jan 27, 2021

Promotion

What organ produces testosterone?

Testosterone is produced by the gonads (by the Leydig cells in testes in men and by the ovaries in women), although small quantities are also...

Last updated Feb 20, 2020

Promotion

Is it OK to take turmeric daily?

The World Health Organization found 1.4 mg of turmeric per pound of body weight is okay for daily intake. It's not advisable to take high doses of...

Last updated Nov 1, 2022