In this Article

• What disorders affect the penis?
• What is priapism?
• What causes priapism?
• How is priapism treated?
• What is Peyronie's disease?
• What causes Peyronie's disease?
• How is Peyronie's disease treated?
• What is balanitis?
• What causes balanitis?
• How is balanitis treated?
• What is phimosis?
• What causes phimosis?
• How is phimosis treated?
• What is paraphimosis?
• What causes paraphimosis?
• How is paraphimosis treated?
• What is penile cancer?
• What causes penile cancer?
• What are the symptoms of penile cancer?
• What treatments are given for penile cancer?
• Penis Disorders Glossary
• Penis Disorders Index

What is priapism?

Priapism is a persistent, often painful erection lasting more than 4 hours in duration. The priapism erection is not associated with sexual activity and is not relieved by orgasm. It occurs when blood flows into the penis but is not adequately drained.

What causes priapism?

Common causes of priapism include:

• Alcohol or drug abuse (especially cocaine)
• Certain medications, including some antidepressants and blood pressure medications
• Spinal cord problems
• Injury to the genitals
• Anesthesia
• Penile injection therapy (a treatment for erectile dysfunction)
• Blood diseases, including leukemia and sickle cell anemia

How is priapism treated?

Treatment for priapism is a medical emergency, because a prolonged erection can scar the penis and result in a long term complication of erectile dysfunction if if not treated. The goal of treatment is to relieve the erection and preserve normal penile function. In most cases, treatment involves draining the blood using a needle placed in the side of the penis. Medications that help shrink blood vessels, which decreases blood flow to the penis, also may be used. In rare cases, surgery may be required to avoid permanent damage to the penis. If the condition is due to sickle cell disease, a blood transfusion may be necessary. Treating any underlying medical condition or substance abuse problem is important to preventing priapism.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Circumcision: The Medical Pros and Cons - Get information on the medical pros and cons of newborn circumcision. Circumcised infants have fewer UTIs. STDs and penis cancer are more common in uncircumcised men.
• Penis Cancer - Learn penis cancer symptoms, signs, treatment, causes, statistics, prognosis and diagnosis. Circumcision may prevent HPV infection, a risk factor for penile cancer.
• Circumcision: The Surgical Procedure - Read about circumcision, a medical procedure that removes the foreskin of the penis. Circumcised males have a lower risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and penile cancer.

Read more Penis Disorders related articles »

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