What is abnormal erection?

Abnormal erection refers to the phenomenon that a man's penis becomes erect without any sexual activity such as intercourse. If such erection occurs frequently or lasts for a long time, it is caused by many abnormal diseases. When such a phenomenon occurs, men should go to a regular hospital for examination and treatment, and maintain an optimistic mental state in life, which will play an important role in alleviating abnormal erection.

1. Sickle Cell Anemia

Priapism is common in men with sickle cell anemia. It is mainly due to sickle red blood cells causing penile venous reflux obstruction.

2. Intracavernous injection

It has become the most common cause of abnormal penile erection today. It is mainly due to the inability of smooth muscles to restore their contraction ability in patients with drug overdose or oversensitivity to drugs, leading to abnormal erection.

3. Neurological factors

Patients with spinal stenosis, spinal cord injury, and herniated disc are prone to priapism. However, these patients often have self-limited illness and do not require medical treatment.

4. Malignant tumors

Although tumor cell infiltration does not cause abnormal erections, obstruction of venous return or invasion of the cavernous sinus can cause stasis and thrombosis. Tumors that have been reported to metastasize to the penis and cause abnormal erections include leukemia, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and melanoma.

5. Drug factors

Common drugs that cause abnormal penile erections include antidepressants, tranquilizers and antihypertensive drugs. Antihypertensive drugs such as hydralazine, guanethidine, phenothiazines, especially chlorpromazine, and antidepressants such as trazodone have been associated with abnormal erections.

6. Total Parenteral Nutrition

Total parenteral nutrition may cause priapism, particularly when 20% fat emulsion is given intravenously. This type of priapism is of the low-flow type, similar to that seen in patients with sickle cell disease.

7. Trauma

Trauma to the perineum or genitals leading to thrombosis or severe bleeding and tissue edema at the base of the penis may obstruct the venous return to the penis and cause abnormal erection (low-flow type).

Prevention of priapism

1. Maintain an optimistic and open-minded attitude and be good at regulating and controlling negative emotions;

2. Moderate sexual intercourse and avoid strong sexual stimulation;

3. Eat less fatty and sweet food, drink less alcohol, and eat more whole grains, carrots, and vegetables;

4. Do not abuse various supplements for nourishing the kidneys and strengthening yang.