PRIAPISM

 
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What is priapism?

Priapism is a condition where the penis stays
erect (hard) for a long time. This can be painful. It happens when blood is not able to leave the penis. It is not because of sexual arousal.

Priapism that happens frequently or that lasts a long time can affect your ability to have an erection for sex. It may also make it hard to have children.

 

Managing your pain:

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At home

  • A pain action plan describes how to manage sickle cell pain, and can be used for pain from priapism.

  • If you have been given medicines to take for priapism, you should take them. Some of these medicines may have serious side effects.

  • You should stop taking the medicine and call your provider if you have any of these symptoms: chest pain, sudden severe headache, neck stiffness or pain.

  • You can also take a warm bath or shower or walk around for 20-30 minutes. If your priapism lasts longer than 2 hours, call your provider.

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At the hospital:

  • The goal of treatment is to limit pain and prevent long-term effects. If the erection lasts longer than 4 hours, your provider may give you fluids and pain medicines, either by mouth or through your veins.

  • Special health care provider called a urologist may see you for additional evaluation and treatment. The urologist may do a procedure that pushes sickled blood cells out of the penis to prevent long-term damage.

  • Sometimes surgery is needed if other treatments do not work. Blood transfusions are not recommended for immediate treatment.

 
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Priaprism checklist

For you and your health care provider

 

What to do if priaprism lasts:

🄯 If your priapism lasts longer than 2 hours, call your health care provider. You may need to go to the emergency room.

🄯 If the erection lasts longer than 4 hours, talk with your health care provider about getting fluids and pain medicines quickly, either by mouth or through your veins.

Surgery:

🄯 Sometimes surgery is needed if other treatments do not work. If surgery is recommended, ask your sickle cell provider about getting a blood transfusion before the surgery.

Severe or recurrent priaprism :

If your priapism occurs frequently or is severe and not getting better, you should have these specially trained providers as part of your health care team:

🄯 A hematologist (trained to treat blood diseases such as sickle cell).

🄯 A urologist (trained to treat conditions of the urinary tract and male reproductive system).

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SECTION OVERVIEW

  • Priapism that happens a lot or that lasts a long time can affect your ability to have an erection for sex and make it hard to have children.

  • A pain action plan shows you how to manage priaprism pain.

  • If your priapism lasts longer than 2 hours, call your provider. You may need to go to the emergency room.

  • If your priapism occurs a lot, or is severe and not getting better, you should have specially trained providers including a hematologist and urologist as part of your health care team.