Causes of Priapism

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Priapism may have no known cause. Certain medical conditions that cause the blood to thicken, or cause red blood cells to lose their flexibility and mobility may cause priapism. These conditions include sickle-cell anaemia, thalassemia, leukaemia and multiple myeloma.

Other causes include:

Damage to the nervous system, especially spinal cord injuries or tumours.
Injury to the penis or genital region, caused by an accident, or during surgery.
Fabry disease (a rare, genetic disease that affects the metabolism).
The use of some medicines, including some anti-psychotic drugs, some medicines used for renal failure, certain blood pressure drugs, anticoagulants (to treat or prevent a blood clot blocking a blood vessel), tamoxifen, corticosteroids and testosterone.
The use of certain illegal drugs including marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy.
Cancers that affect the penis and prevent the outflow of blood-this is quite rare.
Incorrect use of drugs or equipment used to produce an erection.

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