Eli5 Why do you need to call a doctor if your erection lasts longer than 4 hours after taking male enhancement medication?

Question

Eli5 Why do you need to call a doctor if your erection lasts longer than 4 hours after taking male enhancement medication?

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Answer 1

An erection lasting more than 4 hours is a priapism. The blood is trapped in the corpus cavernosum and the pressure can damage the nerves in the penis. The longer the erection lasts, the more damage there is and the harder it is to treat. At the 4 hour mark, medications may work well. If it has lasted much longer, the doctor will usually use a large needle to remove the trapped blood and deflate the erection. If that doesn’t work, they will head to the operating room to slice the penis along the length in a couple of places.
Complications of a priapism include: nerve damage, loss of function, and gangrene among others.
It is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment by a urologist.