Normally the penis will erect in the presence of physical and/or psychological stimulation and returns to its flaccid state after sexual release. (Representational Image)

Amol woke up with a splitting headache. He had attended a rave party the previous night and danced and drank with his girlfriend all night. At least that was what he thought. He did not remember when he reached home and went to bed. He woke up with a throbbing not only in the head but also in the groin. His penis was erect and painfully throbbing. He took a cold shower in the hope that it would wash away his pains. To his surprise and panic, even after four hours his penis refused to lie low. He always prided himself on his ramrod penis, but now he is cursing it as the erection is becoming unbearably painful. Amol is experiencing a painful and potentially harmful medical condition known as “Priapism”. This is named after Priapus, son of Aphrodite and Dionysus, and the Roman god of fertility and phallus. He is depicted with an erection larger than his entire body. Pripus was also the guardian of gardens and his statues were placed in orchards to deter thieves.

Normally the penis will erect in the presence of physical and/or psychological stimulation and returns to its flaccid state after sexual release. In Priapism the erection occurs even in the absence of stimuli and it does not return to its flaccid state within about four hours. It is a medical emergency and needs proper treatment.

There are two types of Priapism with very different causes and potential consequences — high flow Priapism and low flow. High flow Priapism results in a chronic state of semi-erection without the risk of major tissue damage. Low flow Priapism results in a painful and prolonged state of erection. If the erection lasts more than four hours there is a risk of tissue damage and if more than twelve hours it will cause permanent damage to the tissues of penis and may result in impotence.

The cause of low flow Priapism is mostly unknown. However, men with blood disorders like Sickle cell anemia are found to be more prone. High flow Priapism occurs, mostly, as a result of injury to the penis or perineum. Anti-depressants, and illegal drugs like ganja, cocaine, amphetamines used in rave parties can also be the cause. Of late more and more cases are seen in men who self-inject themselves with intra cavernosal vasoactive agents into their penises as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. These drugs, while effective, have to be administered at optimal/correct doses under medical supervision.

If you want a love bite then get bitten by your girlfriend because Black widow spider bites can result in Priapism.

Few Pointers:

• Don’t drug yourself
• If you have a hard on even after 2 to 3 hours, rush to your doctor
• Don’t self-medicate or delay, for this may result in permanent damage.

The writer is a sexologist. Mail him at dr.narayana@deccanmail.com