Causes of Priapism

Priapism can be categorized into two types: ischemic (low-flow) and non-ischemic (high-flow), with different causes for each.

1.Ischemic (Low-flow) Priapism:

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  Sickle Cell Disease:This genetic blood disorder causes abnormal red blood cells that block blood flow in the penis, leading to priapism.
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  Leukemia: Cancerous cells can disrupt normal blood flow, contributing to priapism.
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  Medications: Drugs used for erectile dysfunction, psychiatric disorders, or hypertension can trigger priapism.
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  Trauma: Injury to the genital or perineal area can result in blood clots or vascular damage, leading to priapism.

2. Non-ischemic (High-flow) Priapism:

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  Penile or Pelvic Trauma:Injuries to arteries or veins, such as a pelvic fracture or ruptured blood vessels, can cause high-flow priapism.
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  Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): An abnormal connection between arteries and veins in the penis can cause excessive blood flow and priapism.

Treatment of Priapism in India

Treatment options for priapism in India depend on the type and duration of the condition. Here are the most common treatment methods:

Medical Management:

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  Intracavernous Injections:Medications like phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine may be injected directly into the penis to constrict blood vessels and reduce blood flow.
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  Oral Medications: Alpha-agonists like terbutaline or pseudoephedrine can be taken orally to relieve priapism.
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  Analgesics: Pain relief medications may be prescribed to alleviate discomfort.

Aspiration and Irrigation:

This procedure involves using a needle and syringe to remove excess blood from the penis (aspiration) and flushing the penile blood vessels with a saline solution (irrigation). It is typically performed under local anesthesia.

Surgery:

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  Shunt Surgeries:A bypass is created between the corpora cavernosa (erectile tissue) and the corpora spongiosum (spongy tissue) to allow blood to flow out and relieve the priapism.
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  Cavernosal-Spongiosal Shunt: A connection between the corpus cavernosum and the urethra is created to help drain blood and relieve priapism.