A new treatment for Priapism could be in the near future

Pripasim, is most commonly known as an erection that last for over 4 hours and this rare condition occurs when blood gets trapped in the penis and cannot drain back out. According to a news article posted on emaxhealth researchers from the University of Texas are studying a new treatment that is responding well to priapism. Currently there are not many treatments for this condition, other than surgery and pain control medications. This new research shows promise to men who have permanent erectile dysfunction due to Priapism.

Medications such as Viagra and Levitra do come with warnings that a side effect of priapism is possible. Most commercials you see for these impotence medications all mention that if erections last for more than 4 hours you must contact your doctor immediately.  Although these side effects are not very common it does affect some men. It includes men of all ages and can even occur in babies that age anywhere from five to 10 years. If priapism is not treated right away it can cause permanent damage in a mans penile tissue, scarring it and causing a severe case of erectile dysfunction.

This new treatment is being studied by using an FDA approved medication called “polyethylene glycol-link” also known as PEG-ADA, which is normally used to treat people who suffer from ADA, an enzyme deficiency (adenosine deaminase enzyme). The researchers studying this new treatment say that Priapism can be associated with very high levels of adenosine. There were two studies done on mice, one group of mice had sickle cell disease and the other group had an ADA enzyme deficiency. Both studies showed they can prevent priapism.

Out of the few treatment options for priapism, none are 100% effective and others, such as surgery can be very complicated and painful. Hopefully an introduction to a medication that can prevent it will solve this condition.

Read a detailed report on this study here