Male Sexual Function

Priapism

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

Diagnosis depends on the type of priapism --

• Ischemic Priapism-- Diagnosis involves a medical history and examination, to determine any underlying medical causes and duration of the condition. During the medical examination, your doctor will assess the severity of pain, the rigidity of the penis and lack of involvement of certain parts of the penis. This also will include checking the rectum and the abdomen for evidence of unusual growths or abnormalities that may indicate the presence of cancer. In addition, a sample of your blood will be analyzed to exclude sickle cell disease, thalasaemia major and leukemia.

• Non-ischemic Priapism -- Diagnosis also involves a medical history and examination, to determine any underlying medical causes and duration of the condition. Your doctor will also conduct a Doppler examination, which measures the blood flow of your penis. When in doubt, a small needle may be placed in the penis, some of the blood is drawn and then it is sent to a lab for analysis. This will help determine which type of priapism the patient is experiencing.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007