Dr. Deepali is a qualified dental surgeon with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from the esteemed MR Ambedkar Dental College, Bangalore. With a strong foundation in clinical healthcare and a deep-rooted passion for storytelling, she has transitioned into the world of medical writing—where science meets empathy. Drawing from years of hands-on experience in patient care, Dr. Deepali specializes in simplifying complex health information into clear, relatable, and trustworthy content. Her journey as a writer began long before her medical career—with published articles, play scripts, and creative pieces written during her school and college years. Today, she combines that creative flair with her medical background to write well-researched articles on sexual wellness, general health, mental well-being, and more. Her core belief is that health content should empower—not overwhelm. She is especially passionate about patient education and uses her writing to bridge the gap between medical jargon and everyday understanding. Every article she creates is grounded in scientific evidence, empathy, and accessibility.
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Updated on 15th September 2025
Priapism is a prolonged, often painful erection lasting four hours or more without sexual arousal - and it's a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. While relatively uncommon, it happens due to various causes including blood disorders (especially sickle cell disease), certain medications like antidepressants or ED injections, penile injuries, or sometimes remains mysteriously unexplained. The key thing to remember is timing: if treated within 24 hours, most men (50-78%) maintain normal erectile function, but waiting longer dramatically increases the risk of permanent erectile dysfunction. Don't try home remedies or wait it out - head straight to the emergency room, as prompt medical treatment can mean the difference between full recovery and lasting complications.Priapism is a prolonged, often painful erection lasting four hours or more without sexual arousal - and it's a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. While relatively uncommon, it happens due to various causes including blood disorders (especially sickle cell disease), certain medications like antidepressants or ED injections, penile injuries, or sometimes remains mysteriously unexplained. The key thing to remember is timing: if treated within 24 hours, most men (50-78%) maintain normal erectile function, but waiting longer dramatically increases the risk of permanent erectile dysfunction. Don't try home remedies or wait it out - head straight to the emergency room, as prompt medical treatment can mean the difference between full recovery and lasting complications.
Priapism is more than just a long-lasting erection; it’s a prolonged, often painful condition that lasts four hours or more without sexual arousal. Priapism can be a medical emergency that, if ignored, may lead to permanent erectile dysfunction. But with timely treatment, most men recover well.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know: the different types of priapism, how to recognize the warning signs, why it happens, what treatments are available, and what recovery looks like.
Priapism[1] is a persistent, prolonged, and often painful erection that lasts for four hours or more, without any sexual arousal. It requires urgent medical attention because untreated episodes can damage erectile tissue in the penis and lead to long-term complications such as erectile dysfunction.
The most common type. Here, blood becomes trapped inside the penis and cannot drain out. The shaft feels rigid while the tip (glans) remains soft, and it is usually accompanied by severe pain.
Less common and generally less painful. It often occurs after an injury to the penis or nearby blood vessels, which causes uncontrolled blood flow into the penis. The result is a partially rigid, usually painless erection.
This involves repeated episodes of ischemic priapism, painful erections that come and go. It is most often seen in men with sickle cell anemia or related blood disorders.
| Feature | Normal Erection | Priapism |
|---|---|---|
|
Trigger |
Sexual arousal or stimulation |
Happens without arousal |
|
Pain |
Usually painless |
Often painful |
|
Duration |
Fades within 30 minutes after orgasm or arousal ends |
Lasts more than 4 hours, doesn’t go away after orgasm |
|
Rigidity |
Shaft & head both firm |
Shaft hard, head soft |
|
Other Symptoms |
No discomfort after |
Pain, swelling, or tenderness |
|
Consequences |
Normal sexual function |
Risk of permanent erectile dysfunction if untreated |
Not every long-lasting erection is dangerous, but if it lasts more than four hours, it’s no longer ‘extra stamina’ it’s a warning sign. That’s when you need to see a doctor right away
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In many cases, the exact cause of priapism isn’t clear. Often, it’s the result of several overlapping factors. Still, doctors have identified some common medical, medication-related, and trauma-linked causes.
Recognizing the warning signs early is key to protecting your sexual health. Priapism may start subtly but quickly becomes a problem if left untreated.
Look out for these hallmark symptoms:
When priapism happens, acting fast can mean the difference between a full recovery and long-term complications.
For ischemic priapism (the emergency type):
Non-ischemic priapism (non-emergency type):
Recurrent (stuttering) priapism:
Ice packs may calm swelling in non-ischemic cases, but they do not fix ischemic priapism. In emergencies, only medical care can save erectile tissue.[6]
Erectile dysfunction after priapism is a very frequent and serious complication, especially when treatment for priapism is delayed.
A prolonged erection lasting more than four hours sets off harmful changes inside the penis[6]:
Recovery from priapism depends heavily on how quickly treatment begins. Healing happens in stages, and it varies for every man. Right after treatment, some swelling or soreness may last a few days to two weeks. Most men return to everyday activities within 1-2 weeks.
When it comes to sexual activity, doctors usually recommend waiting around 6 weeks. Giving your body time helps protect your long-term sexual health.[8]
Your recovery depends on several key factors[9]:
Recovery isn’t just physical; many men feel anxious about sexual performance or fear recurrence. Emotional adjustment usually takes 2–3 months, and support makes a big difference.
Tips for Healing:
Priapism is rare but serious, and quick action is essential. An erection lasting more than four hours isn’t stamina, it’s a medical emergency. Every hour of delay raises the risk of permanent erectile dysfunction, but with prompt treatment, most men recover well. Even if complications occur, effective options like penile implants can restore sexual health. Remember, there’s no shame in seeking emergency care.
"The following blog article provides general information and insights on various topics. However, it is important to note that the information presented is not intended as professional advice in any specific field or area. The content of this blog is for general educational and informational purposes only.
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