A 29-year-old man from Michigan recently made headlines after experiencing an extremely rare and dangerous condition known as priapism.

Priapism is defined as a persistent and sometimes painful erection that lasts for more than four hours, and can cause serious damage to the penis if left untreated.

What is priapism?

Priapism is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the penis is not properly regulated. There are two types of priapism: ischemic and non-ischemic.

Ischemic priapism is the most common type and is caused by blood not being able to leave the penis. Non-ischemic priapism is much less common and is caused by increased blood flow to the penis.

What causes priapism?

There are a number of factors that can cause priapism, including:.

Medication side effects (such as those used to treat erectile dysfunction)
Sickle cell anemia
Leukemia
Trauma to the penis or perineum
Spinal cord injury
Illicit drug use (such as cocaine or amphetamines)

The symptoms of priapism

The symptoms of priapism can vary depending on the type of priapism, but may include:.

A painful and prolonged erection lasting more than four hours
A penis that is erect but not sexually aroused
Difficulty urinating or pain while urinating
Swelling or tenderness in the penis or scrotum

How is priapism diagnosed?

To diagnose priapism, a doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about the patient’s medical history, including any medications they are taking.

If necessary, the doctor may also perform imaging tests (such as an ultrasound) to examine blood flow in the penis.

Treatments for priapism

The treatment for priapism depends on the type and severity of the condition. In severe cases, emergency medical treatment may be required to prevent permanent damage to the penis. Treatments may include:.

Medications to help reduce blood flow to the penis
Aspiration (drawing blood out of the penis with a needle)
Surgery to repair damaged tissues
Compression devices to help reduce blood flow to the penis

The dangers of priapism

If left untreated, priapism can cause serious damage to the penis, including permanent erectile dysfunction and other complications. In severe cases, priapism can even lead to the amputation of the penis.

The case of the 29-year-old man

The 29-year-old man from Michigan began experiencing a persistent erection that lasted for five days. He tried taking cold showers, engaging in physical activity, and other methods to try and reduce the erection, but nothing seemed to work.

Eventually, he sought medical attention.

Doctors at the hospital where he was treated gave him medication to help reduce blood flow to the penis, but it was not effective. He was then taken into surgery, where doctors were able to drain the blood from his penis and repair the damaged tissues.

Conclusion

Priapism is a rare but dangerous condition that can cause serious damage to the penis if left untreated. It is important for men to be aware of the symptoms of priapism and seek medical attention immediately if they experience any of them.

With prompt diagnosis and treatment, the majority of cases of priapism can be resolved without serious long-term damage to the penis.