You’ve probably heard about the condition known as priapism. At the very least, you’ve more than likely heard it listed as a potential, but unlikely, side effect on TV commercials for Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra. For those of you who are unfamiliar with priapism, this is a medical condition when the penis remains in an erect state for more than four hours, and does not return to its flaccid state. While many joke about how wonderful it would be to have an erection for four hours, priapism is a dangerous condition, and is considered a medical emergency.

Priapism occurs when blood becomes trapped in the penis. This depletes oxygen levels, which can be toxic to the penile tissues. Damage to these tissues can cause erectile dysfunction, permanent disfigurement, and even worse, gangrene!

The cause of priapism is unfortunately poorly understood. Certain disorders, diseases, and erectile dysfunction medications MAY be to blame for priapism, but research is still being done to pinpoint the real causes. A farmer in Peru recently underwent emergency surgery to relieve him of an erection that had lasted for a painful eight days. According to the man’s doctor, the farmer had not taken any erectile dysfunction medications, and the cause of the man’s condition was unknown.

While some men may dream of lasting all night long, priapism is not something one should desire. If you experience an erection lasting longer than four hours, seek medical attention immediately! Don’t be like the Peruvian farmer waiting for eight days before getting help. The longer medical attention is delayed, the more likely you are to experience permanent damage to your penis, and nobody dreams about that.