What are the Causes of Priapism?
Blood disorders like sickle cell anemia and
Causes of priapism include -
Pharmacological injection therapy- Injections used to treat impotence are common causes of priapism.
Leukemia-Children with priapism are typically those who have leukemia. In this situation, the white blood cells occlude, or block the outflow of blood from the penis causing priapism.
Sickle cell disease- It is reported that 42 percent of all sickle-cell adults and 64 percent of all sickle-cell children develop priapism.
Cancer- Cancers can rarely infiltrate the penis and prevent the outflow of blood
Trauma or spinal cord injuries- Trauma, either to the penis or to the area underneath the penis known as the perineum, can result in priapism. Additionally, spinal cord injuries can cause priapism.
Medications- Drugs used to treat psychotic illness like chlorpromazine, and drugs used to treat hypertension like prazosin can cause priapism.
Illicit drug abuse- Priapism has been reported as a complication following use of illicit drug cocaine or marijuana.
Other conditions: Carbon monoxide poisoning and black widow spider bites are also associated with priapism.
Unknown factors- In adults, priapism may be idiopathic i.e. it may have no identifiable cause.
