A painful erection destroys the fun in the bedroom, but do you know what else it destroys- your penis tissues. You will be amazed to find that around 36% of men report painful erections, and out of these, 65% report severe pain, 7% for pain with a flaccid state, and 20% for both stages.
Various causes can lead to painful erection in men. Explore this blog to learn about it. It will cover everything about painful erections, including their treatment.
What is a Painful Erection?
Painful erection is a medical condition known as priapism. This condition forces a man to have an erection for prolonged hours without sexual arousal. The main reason behind it is that when you get sexually aroused, the blood pressure in your penis increases, and you develop an erection for penetration. But when the blood stored in the penis misses to drain out but remains for more than four hours, you suffer from a painful erection.
Symptoms of painful erection are:
- Long-lasting erection
- Elevated pain in the penis
- Pain in specific parts of the penis
A painful erection also be a sign of penis injury like penile fracture. This problem increases with time and can cause erection problems. Seek medical help when you experience pain in your erection.
What are the Causes of Painful Erection?
Various causes can create pain in the erection during sex. Conditions such as Peyronie’s disease can be the main reason for your painful erection. Here’s a breakdown of the three primary causes of painful erection in men.
Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease is a sexual condition in which the penis turns into an abnormal curve. This disease can occur due to the mild sexual trauma or any injury in the penis tissues. Peyronie’s disease usually affects older people because of the changes in the penis in the old age. The chances of internal injuries also increase in older men.
In this condition, scar tissue, called plaque, develops under the skin of the penis. The plaque forms in the thick membranes surrounding the expunge, like columns of the tissues within the penis called corpora cavernosa.
The plaque pulls the surrounding tissues, which causes the penis to curve during an erection. This curve creates the pain in the penis, making sexual intercourse difficult.
Priapism
As discussed above, priapism is a condition where an erection stays for more than four hours. The blood stored in the penis for sexual stimulation fails to drain out, and you experience priapism. There are mainly two types of this condition.
- Ischemic: It is also known as low-flow priapism. In this type, the blood in the penis lags to leave the area, inducing the penis in the penis.
- Non-Ischemic: It is also known as high-flow priapism. This condition occurs when the blood flow in the penis increases with time, making it difficult to drain the blood.
Penile Fracture
Penile fracture is a problem when you break your penis during an erection or when it gets hit. Your penis consists of two columns that are like sponges. These sponges store the blood and allow you to get an erection during sexual intercourse.
One column is called corpus cavernosum, and the other is called corpora cavernosa. Tunic albuginea, a proactive layer, covers these columns. When this layer is torn open, you suffer from penile fracture.
How to Get Rid of Painful Erection?
Erection pain due to priapism is a medical emergency. Having an erection for more than four hours can damage the penis. But here are some tips that you can apply to reduce the pain when at home.
- Apply an ice pack on the penis for 10-15 minutes (wrap it in a cloth before applying)
- Take cold shower
- Masturbate
Some treatment options for the painful erection are:
Peyronie’s Disease
There are various treatment options available for this condition. If you have Peyronie’s disease without any pain, you may delay the treatment. Many men experience a curve in the penis but seek no treatment until it doesn’t affect sexual functioning.
But if you experience a painful erection, then treatments for it are:
- Shockwave therapy: Shockwave therapy uses acoustic soundwave to break the plaque, treating Peyronie’s disease.
- Platelet-rich plasma therapy: It is also known as PRP. In this therapy, PRP is injected into the plaque, which heals the platelets and treats Peyronie’s disease.
Penile Fracture
It is crucial to treat penile fractures as soon as possible. Delays can cause various problems and damage the penis in the long term. Surgery is necessary to treat this problem. The surgeon makes a small cut on the shaft of the penis to examine the inner tissues. The clotted blood is removed. To prevent your penis from any injury, be certain to take care of it during an erection.
Priapism
Priapism is a rare condition. Facts say that 5-8 emergency visits happen per 100,000 in the United States. But no matter how low the pain is, it is vital to diagnose the problem as soon as it is detected. The stored blood in the penis destroys the penis tissues. Untreated priapism can cause erectile dysfunction in the long term.
Test for Diagnosis
Some tests are done to understand the exact problem. For painful erections, it is vital to go through the medical history to avoid complications. Consult a urologist, a person who specializes in the urinary system and male reproductive tract.
However, ultrasound is the tool doctors generally prefer to diagnose penis abnormalities. A penile blood gas test is recommended for priapism. Ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging for penile fracture.
Conclusion
Having pain in the erection during sex is rare, but it is a treatable problem. If you are encountering severe pain in your penis, call your doctor and discuss the problem. Fix an appointment and diagnose the condition before it gets worse. The more you delay the treatment, the higher the chances of erectile dysfunction.
ED is a problem that ruins your sex life. A condition in which men fail to get or maintain an erection during sexual intercourse. Don’t be ashamed of the condition. Talk to your doctor about it. We are here in your tough times. We provide erectile dysfunction medicines that help your erection back.
FAQs
Q1. Is Morning Erection Painful?
Morning erection or morning wood remains for at max 30 minutes. But if the erection lasts for more than an hour or you experience pain during an erection, consult a doctor right away. Painful erection may be the cause of priapism or penile injury.
Q2. How Long Does Painful Erection Last?
A painful erection lasting more than 2-3 hours is known as priapism. This problem may or may not be due to sexual arousal. Call your doctor as soon as you detect the problem. The delay in the treatment can damage the penis tissues, and you can also be at a risk of erectile dysfunction.
Q3. How Do You Fix Priapism at Home?
Non-ischemic priapism is a condition that goes away without any concern or treatment. By applying some ice pack to the penis and waiting for it to relax. The risk of damage is minimal.
