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Priapism is a long-lasting erection of the penis not connected with sexual desire and does not go away after ejaculation, another name for this ailment is suicide. There have been cases where the painful erection lasted for up to several days. Priapism can lead to impotence.
Priapism – definition
Priapism is a painful erection of the penis, a rare condition. It is characterized by an erection that is not dependent on sexual arousal or stimulation. Erection lasts on average 4-6 hours, and can last up to several days. According to research, dragoon strain affects a small percentage of the male population, but it still significantly hinders everyday functioning.
The name of the disease (priapism) comes from the ancient god Priap, whose images depicted a man with an erect penis.
The erection concerns the cavernous bodies of the penis, while the spongy body of the urethra is flaccid, so the glans of the penis is flaccid.
The causes of priapism
Priapism occurs in full sexual activity. It is a symptom that can be caused by many different etiological factors, such as:
- sexual abuse,
- alcoholism,
- neurogenic causes, e.g. brain injuries, spinal injuries,
- spine injuries,
- urethritis
- prostatitis
thrombotic causes:
- leukemia,
- sickle cell anemia,
- neoplastic infiltrates in the smaller pelvis,
- thrombotic conditions of the veins.
In addition, priapism may occur due to the use of drugs, e.g. neuroleptics (antihypertensive, antidepressant).
Forms of priapism
There are three forms of priapism:
- with low flow – this is the most common form of the disease, characterized by a disturbance in the erection recovery process. This may be due to obstruction of the veins around the penis or as a result of administration of erectile agents directly into the cavernous bodies of the penis. Low-flow priapism should be consulted immediately, as ischemia lasting more than four hours may lead to cavernous fibrosis and, consequently, impotence;
- with high flow – this is a mild form of ailments, it occurs as a result of too much arterial blood flow to the corpora cavernosa, without the presence of an obstacle in the outflow of this blood;
- recurrent – this is a condition in which, between periods of a long-lasting erection, the cavernous bodies of the penis become flaccid. Recurrent priapism may appear in boys who suffer from sickle cell anemia.
Find out what the symptoms of anemia are
Priapism – symptoms
Priapism is manifested by a long-lasting erection, which, despite the lack of sexual stimuli, still lasts. A persistent erection can be a painful condition because the corpus cavernosum is tense and the glans is flaccid (non-flow priapism). On the other hand, in the high-flow form – the erection does not cause pain, and pressing the perineum makes the erection disappear.
Sometimes the soreness of the penis is so great that normal intercourse is impossible, which in turn significantly worsens the sex life. Permanent impotence can also develop. In the event of priapism, it is important that the patient immediately see a urologist, as the time from the symptom onset determines the possibility of providing effective help, the effect of which is to maintain potency for the future.
Treatment of priapism
The choice of treatment depends on the form of priapism we are dealing with, because e.g. high-flow priapism resolves spontaneously in more than half of the cases and does not pose a threat to the corpora cavernosa. Regarding the low-flow variant, the therapy here is more complex, involving the use of pharmacological agents or surgical methods. However, there are treatments that are non-invasive and help to relieve symptoms of a painful erection, including:
- wrapping the penis with ice,
- cold shower,
- fast and tiring run,
- use of painkillers,
- running up the stairs.
Pharmacological treatment of priapism consists in administering preparations intended to induce erection relief (the drugs used are adrenominetics) or flushing the cavernous bodies with physiological saline. Interventional treatment is undertaken when other methods do not help. The residual blood is removed by puncturing the smeary but not clotting blood and surgically creating a wide junction between the cavernous body of the penis and the spongy body of the urethra.
The sooner the patient receives help, the less hypoxia of the corpus cavernosum will occur, and therefore an erection may be preserved as a result. Patients should let go of their shame and see a specialist for help as soon as possible.
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