Causes of priapism

For the duration of erection - priapism - 30 percent of cases no cause can be determined. We speak of a primary (idiopathic) priapism.


Diseases, medications and drugs can be triggers for a permanent erection


In the remaining 70 percent of those affected can find a drug or a disease as the cause (secondary priapism). Among the secondary causes of priapism include:

     20 percent through medicines and drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, psychotropic drugs, drugs for high blood pressure and epilepsy, cortisone
     10-20 percent through blood diseases like sickle cell anemia, leukemia, polycythemia. Especially children and adolescents are affected.
     After drug treatment for erectile dysfunction, especially SKAT Therapy (Auto-cavernous injection therapy). The preparations such as alprostadil cause priapism, but little more.
     Injury to the penis or around the spinal cord by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis
     Rarely, tumors (prostate, renal cell carcinoma, skin cancer) is the cause of priapism.
     Diabetes mellitus (rare)


Children can be affected
In principle, priapism can occur at any age, but often it occurs between the 5th and 10 and between the 20th and 50 Years on.