Man suffers three-week erection

A man in Kolkata, India, was left close to death after having a 21 day erection.

Doctors were able to drain the blood from the man’s penis in an emergency operation. Unfortunately though, he will probably be impotent for the rest of his life.

The 55 year-old businessman, a father of two, had not taken Viagra but was suffering from priapism – a condition where the penis does not return to a flaccid state, irrespective of the time that elapsed without stimulation.

Priapism occurs when an erection is sustained for longer than an hour. This causes the blood supply to the penis to be reduced. Eventually blood flow is cut off completely, damaging the organ and can even lead to gangrene.

The condition can occur after damage occurs in the penile tissues, when the cavernosal artery that leads to the penis ruptures. “Stuttering priapism” is also a well reported condition. This is where the sufferer experiences a series of shorter erections, lasting between a few minutes and several hours. It can occur in men of all ages, including new born babies.

Priapism requires immediate treatment. Consequences of leaving the condition untreated can range from permanent penile damage to death. In this man’s case, it seems he will indeed never have an erection again. His identity is being protected, to save embarrassment.

It is recommended that priapism be treated within six hours, so anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical help immediately.