Priapism
Priapism
It is a condition in which erection of penis occur for longer period than usual. It is not associated with sexual activity or any intimate stimulation. It is a very painful condition and mostly attack people with sickle cell disease.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of priapism include:
- Progressive pain
- Prolonged erection for more than 4 hours
- Un-stimulated erection
- Rigid penile shaft
- Glans is soft
Causes
Normally penis can erect during sexual stimulation or during physical stimulation. Priapism is a disorder of blood flow system which can cause ischemia of penis in later stages. Following blood disorder may be associated with priapism:
Diagnosis
After taking history about sign and symptoms and conducting physical examination your doctor might recommend the following tests:
- Blood test to check the complete blood count
- Ultrasound to check the blood flow to the penis
- Blood gas analysis to check the oxygen level
- Toxicology analysis to check any drug or toxic involvement
Treatment
Treatment depends upon the cause and severity of priapism, treatment options include:
- Aspiration of excess blood from penis remove, drainage of oxygen deprived blood from penis stops its erection
- Medications include sympathomimetic which constrict the arteries and due to its effect veins will open and dilated and remove oxygen deprived blood from penis.
- Surgical process is not that much helpful
- Nonischemic type usually resolves own its on