Priapism

Priapism is a long-lasting erection that occurs without sexual arousal or stimulation. It’s usually painful and it can last for more than four hours. It occurs when blood remains in your penis and can’t drain.

Priapism needs immediate treatment. Without treatment, it can cause permanent damage.

What are the types of priapism?

The types of priapism include:

• Low-flow (ischemic) priapism. Low-flow priapism occurs when blood remains in the erection chambers (corpora cavernosa) and can’t escape. It often occurs without a known cause in people without preexisting conditions, but it also affects people with sickle cell disease, blood cancer (leukemia) or malaria. It’s the most common type of priapism.
• Recurrent (stuttering) priapism. Stuttering priapism is a type of low-flow priapism. A long-lasting erection may repeatedly go away and come back. It may last longer and grow more painful each time it comes back.
• High-flow (nonischemic) priapism. High-flow priapism is rarer than low-flow priapism and is usually not painful. Causes may include an injury to your penis or the area between your scrotum and anus (perineum). The injury causes uncontrolled blood flow into the penile tissues, causing a long-lasting erection.

How common is priapism?

Priapism is relatively rare overall, but you may be more likely to have it if you have certain conditions. It occurs in 30% to 45% of people with sickle cell disease.