Priapism

If you have an erection that lasts longer than a few hours, it’s important to get medical care immediately. A healthcare provider will review your medical history, note your symptoms and conduct a physical examination. During the physical exam, they may ask the following questions:

• How long have you had an erection?
• How long do your erections usually last?
• Has a healthcare provider diagnosed you with any other conditions?
• Have you recently injured your penis or groin area?
• Are you currently taking any medications?
• Have you used any medications in a way a doctor didn’t prescribe?
• Have you used any recreational drugs?

What tests will be done to diagnose priapism?

After the physical exam, the provider will measure the blood oxygen level in your penis. During this test, they’ll insert a small needle into your penis to withdraw a tiny amount of blood. They’ll send the blood sample to a lab for analysis. The lab results will tell the provider:

• What kind of priapism you have.
• How long you’ve had the priapism.
• How much damage the priapism has done to the tissues in your penis.

If an injury causes priapism, the provider may order a Doppler ultrasound. A Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to show where and how fast blood flows through your blood vessels. It helps confirm that an injury is the cause of your priapism.

In some cases, a provider may order a drug test (toxicology screen). A drug test helps determine what substances and the approximate amount you have in your system.