Patient's question:
Lately, when I go to the bathroom, sometimes I even find myself getting an erection when there's nothing wrong. Without any external influence or mental impact, I'm actually doing this. I didn't pay attention to it at first, but later, I checked the issue online and realized it was serious.Doctor's answer:
Hello, priapism is a persistent penile erection accompanied by pain but without sexual impulse or desire. Based on the onset, it is clinically classified into primary and secondary types. Primary priapism is most common in adults and has no obvious cause; in children, it is mostly secondary, with blood disorders being the main cause of secondary priapism, accounting for about 20% of all cases, with sickle cell anemia being the most prevalent. Other secondary causes include neurogenic, traumatic, inflammatory, infectious, chemical, toxic, cancerous, and congenital defects. The difference between priapism and normal erection lies in the fact that the glans penis does not become erect. Priapism can lead to persistent dilation of penile cavernous arteries, persistent contraction of veins, blood stasis, increased viscosity, even the formation of thrombi, which in turn affects intravascular oxygen exchange, severe venous obstruction, increased carbon dioxide tension, edema of the cavernous septum, endothelial cell inflammation and damage. Endothelial cell damage may be a reason for subsequent erectile dysfunction. Some believe that even with timely treatment, erectile dysfunction cannot be avoided and may lead to fibrosis, making normal sexual activity impossible. Therefore, priapism can also cause male infertility.