What is Priapism?
Priapism is a prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours that is unrelated to sexual stimulation. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Prevalence: Rare; affects about 1 in 100,000 men annually
Symptoms and Signs
- •Prolonged erection (4+ hours)
- •Severe penile pain
- •Rigid corpora cavernosa with flaccid glans (in ischemic priapism)
- •Difficulty urinating
- •Anxiety and distress
Causes and Risk Factors
Common Causes
- →Sickle cell disease
- →Leukemia
- →Idiopathic (unknown cause)
- →PDE-5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis)
- →Cocaine or marijuana use
- →Certain medications
- →Spinal cord injury or trauma
Risk Factors
- ⚠️Sickle cell disease
- ⚠️Drug use
- ⚠️PDE-5 inhibitor use
- ⚠️Spinal cord injury
Treatment Options
Expected Outcomes: Requires emergency treatment; good outcomes if treated promptly; delayed treatment risks penile damage
Available Treatments:
- ✓Immediate medical attention (emergency)
- ✓Ice application (initially)
- ✓Intracavernosal injections (epinephrine, phenylephrine)
- ✓Aspiration and irrigation
- ✓Surgical intervention if ischemia develops
- ✓Treatment of underlying conditions
Prevention Tips
- →Avoid substances causing priapism
- →Manage underlying conditions
- →Use medications cautiously
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