A genome-wide association study on Brazilian patients with sickle cell disease identified four single nucleotide polymorphisms in LINC02537 and NAALADL2 significantly associated with priapism.Other conditions such as Fabrys disease, as well as neurologic disorders such as spinal cord lesions and spinal cord trauma (priapism has been reported in people who have been hanged; see death erection). Priapism can also be caused by reactions to medications. The most common medications that cause priapism are intra-cavernous injections for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (papaverine, alprostadil). Other medication groups reported are antihypertensives, antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, clozapine), antidepressants (most notably trazodone), anti-convulsant and mood stabilizer drugs such as sodium valproate. Anticoagulants, cantharides (Spanish Fly) and recreational drugs (alcohol, heroin and cocaine) have been associated. Priapism is also known to occur from bites of the Brazilian wandering spider. High-flow priapism
Causes of high-flow priapism include:

blunt trauma to the perineum or penis, with laceration of the cavernous artery, which can generate an arterial-lacunar fistula. Anticoagulants (heparin and warfarin). Antihypertensives (i.e., hydralazine, guanethidine and propranolol). Hormones (i.e., gonadotropin releasing hormone and testosterone). Diagnosis
The diagnosis is often based on the history of the condition as well as a physical exam.Blood gas testing the blood from the cavernosa of the penis can help in the diagnosis. If the low-flow type of priapism is present, the blood typically has a low pH, while if the high-flow type is present, the pH is typically normal. Color Doppler ultrasound may also help differentiate the two.
Sickle cell anemia
In sickle cell anemia, treatment is initially with intravenous fluids, pain medication, and oxygen therapy. The typical treatment of priapism may be carried out as well. Blood transfusions are not usually recommended as part of the initial treatment, but if other treatments are not effective, exchange transfusion may be done. History
Persistent semi-erections and intermittent states of prolonged erections have historically been sometimes called semi-priapism. Terminology
The name comes from the Greek god Priapus (Ancient Greek: Πρίαπος), a fertility god, often represented with a disproportionately large, permanent erection. References
External links

Guideline on the Management of Priapism (2003) - American Urological Association website - The unabridged 275-page version of this guideline. Media related to Priapism at Wikimedia Commons