Weill Cornell Medicine Urology
Weill Cornell Medicine Urology
Priapism

Priapism

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Priapism is defined as a prolonged erection developing in the absence of sexual stimulation and unrelieved by ejaculation.

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Priapism is defined as a prolonged erection developing in the absence of sexual stimulation and unrelieved by ejaculation. The duration of the erection considered to represent priapism is generally over four hours. 

Priapism can be classified into 2 main types: ischemic (synonymous with venocclusive, low-flow) and non-ischemic (arterial, high-flow). Ischemic priapism results from the failure of blood to drain from the erect penis. This can be thought of as a compartment syndrome of the penis. Over time, the lack of oxygenated blood flow to the penis results in irreversible structural changes with in the erectile tissue leading to tissue death and scarring. It is believed that even after 6-8 hours of ischemic priapism, irreversible damage begins to occur.

Non-ischemic priapism results form unregulated inflow of blood into the erect penis. This differs form non-ischemic priapism in that the blood is oxygenated and does not get trapped within the erectile tissue.

Proper categorization is essential, as the management of the two conditions is very different, particularly as ischemic priapism is a urologic emergency, while non-ischemic is not.

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You can find the office contact information for each physician specializing in Priapism by visiting their profile listed on the bottom of this webpage. 

If you'd like to learn more about our providers that specialize in Priapism, please review the Physicians & Faculty profiles listed at the bottom of this page.

Priapism - Risks & Causes

Summary: 

Many outside sources and diseases may cause priapism.

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Priapism - Symptoms & Evaluation

Summary: 

Talk to your doctor if you have an erection lasting four or more hours to prevent irreversible damage. The most important step in evaluating and treating a man with priapism is differentiating between ischemic and non-ischemic priapism.

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Priapism - Treatment Options

Summary: 

Ischemic priapism needs to be treated immediately, whereas non-ischemic priapism is not considered a urologic emergency.

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Physicians & Faculty

Dr. Marc Goldstein, M.D., F.A.C.S. | Weill Cornell Medicine

Marc Goldstein

M.D., F.A.C.S.

212.746.5470
212.746.5470
Aetna-Weill Cornell POS, Federal Medicare, NY State Medicaid, Rockefeller University-CoreSource
Brady Urologic Health Center
Dr. James A. Kashanian, M.D.

James A. Kashanian

M.D.

212.746.5309
212.746.5309
AETNA [Medicare], AETNA-HMO, Aetna-NYP-EPO/POS, AETNA-PPO, Aetna-Weill Cornell POS, Blue Priority Network, CIGNA, EBCBS HMO, EBCBS Mediblue, EBCBS Pathway X, EBCBS Pathway X Enhanced, EBCBS PPO/EPO, Emblem Select Care, Empire BCBS HealthPlus (CHP), GHI, Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP), Medicare, Oxford Freedom, Oxford Health Plans [Liberty], Oxford Health Plans [Medicare], Oxford Health Plans [Metro/Core/Charter], Rockefeller University-CoreSource, UHC Compass, UHC Medicare, United Empire Plan, United Healthcare Commercial
The LeFrak Center for Robotic Surgery
Dr. Peter N. Schlegel, MD, FACS | Cornell Urology

Peter N. Schlegel

M.D., F.A.C.S.

212.746.5491
212.746.5491
Aetna-Weill Cornell POS, NY State Medicaid, Rockefeller University-CoreSource
Klinefelter Syndrome Care Center

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