Skip to main contentSkip to main content

Priapism (painful erections)

Overview

Open all pages about Priapism (painful erections)

Things you can do to try to reduce a long-lasting or painful erection include having a pee, taking a warm bath or shower and drinking lots of water.

Treatments for a long-lasting or painful erection include tablets, injections, and draining blood from your penis using a needle or surgery.

Priapism often affects people with sickle cell disease. Other causes include blood-thinning medicines and some antidepressants.

Priapism is a long-lasting painful erection. It can cause permanent damage to your penis if not treated quickly.

Page last reviewed: 05/12/2023
Next review due: 05/12/2026