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?

In: 219

Answer 1

An erection occurs when chambers in the penis, called the corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum, become engorged with blood. The blood in those chambers flows fairly slowly. Slow-flowing blood tends to clot. The longer it flows slowly, the higher the risk of clotting. Clotting is dangerous because a clot can completely interrupt blood flow, leading to permanent damage to the organ. A short-lived erection is unlikely to suffer clotting, but after 4 hours of continuous erection, the risk of clots goes up.