Doctors have issued a warning after new NHS figures revealed a record number of men were admitted to hospital with a painful condition that can cause permanent damage if left untreated.
A total of 530 men required hospital treatment for priapism in England last year, representing a 58 per cent increase compared with a decade earlier.
The figures suggest more than ten men a week are now receiving hospital care for the condition, which involves an erection that continues for an unusually long period.
Of the 530 patients recorded, 441 required emergency treatment, highlighting the potentially serious consequences.
Experts have linked some cases to medications used for erectile dysfunction, but have also raised concerns about the additional risks associated with combining certain substances.
What warning have doctors issued about Viagra?
Consultant urological surgeon Gordon Muir has warned that combining erectile dysfunction medication such as Viagra with recreational drugs, including cocaine and amphetamines, can increase the risk of dangerous, prolonged erections.
He also highlighted the risks associated with alcohol and the misuse of medications intended to improve sexual performance.
According to Muir, some men deliberately combine substances in an attempt to maintain an erection for several hours.
However, doing so can create serious medical complications, including priapism, which requires urgent treatment.
The surgeon explained that there are two groups of patients who may be contributing to the rising hospital figures.
One includes older men using injectable medications to help achieve or maintain erections.
The other involves people combining legal and illegal substances in an attempt to prolong sexual activity.
He warned that these combinations can result in erections lasting many hours, potentially putting long-term sexual health at risk.
Importantly, the NHS figures do not establish that Viagra or recreational drugs caused every recorded case.
What is priapism?
Priapism is a medical condition involving a prolonged erection that occurs independently of, or continues beyond, sexual stimulation.
It can be extremely painful and may become a medical emergency.
There are different forms of priapism, but the most concerning is ischaemic priapism, sometimes called low-flow priapism.
This happens when blood becomes trapped inside the erectile tissue of the penis and cannot drain away normally.
As the condition continues, the trapped blood loses oxygen, potentially damaging the surrounding tissue.
Without prompt treatment, this damage can become permanent and may result in erectile dysfunction.
Other forms of priapism, including non-ischaemic priapism, can have different causes and may not be as painful, but still require medical assessment.
How long is too long for an erection?
An erection lasting four hours or longer requires emergency medical attention, even if it is not particularly painful.
The NHS advises anyone experiencing a prolonged erection to seek urgent help rather than waiting for the problem to resolve by itself.
Men with sickle cell disease should seek emergency advice even sooner, as they face particular risks from priapism.
Although the condition may initially seem embarrassing, delaying treatment can increase the likelihood of permanent damage.
The sooner doctors can restore normal blood flow, the better the chances of protecting the affected tissue.
Why are hospital admissions increasing?
The latest figures show 530 men required hospital treatment last year, compared with 336 approximately a decade earlier.
That represents an increase of almost 200 cases.
The number also rose by 11 per cent compared with the previous year.
Experts have suggested that the availability of erectile dysfunction medications may be one factor behind the trend.
However, the figures alone cannot determine the reasons for the increase.
Changes in prescribing patterns, medication use, underlying medical conditions and other factors may all influence the number of recorded cases.
Some patients develop priapism without having taken erectile dysfunction medication at all.
Can Viagra cause priapism?
Viagra contains sildenafil, a medicine commonly prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction.
It works by increasing blood flow to the penis in response to sexual stimulation.
When used as directed, sildenafil is generally considered safe for suitable patients, although it can cause side effects.
Priapism is a rare but recognised potential complication of medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction.
The risk may be affected by other medications, medical conditions and the use of additional substances.
Men should follow the prescribed or recommended dosage and avoid combining erectile dysfunction treatments without medical advice.
Anyone experiencing an erection that does not go away should seek appropriate medical assistance rather than taking more medication.
Which substances are doctors particularly concerned about?
The warning highlighted by Muir focuses on the misuse of erectile dysfunction medications alongside recreational substances.
These include:
Mixing substances can make their effects less predictable and may introduce additional risks beyond priapism.
Men using prescription treatments should speak to a healthcare professional about possible interactions and follow the instructions provided.
What treatment do doctors use for priapism?
Treatment depends on the type of priapism, how long the erection has lasted and the underlying cause.
For ischaemic priapism, doctors may need to act quickly to remove trapped blood and restore circulation.
Hospital treatment can involve:
Some supportive measures may be used depending on the circumstances, but an established prolonged erection should not be managed at home in place of emergency assessment.
Prompt medical treatment is particularly important because the risk of tissue injury increases with time.
Are older men also affected?
Although priapism can occur at different ages, the latest hospital figures included men in their 80s and 90s.
Five patients were reportedly within those older age groups.
Muir suggested that injectable erectile dysfunction treatments could be relevant to some cases involving elderly patients.
These medications are sometimes prescribed when oral treatments are unsuitable or ineffective.
However, they must be used carefully, as incorrect dosing or other complications can lead to prolonged erections.
Age alone does not determine whether someone will develop priapism.
What should someone do if an erection will not go away?
The NHS advises seeking emergency care for an erection lasting four hours or longer.
People should not delay because of embarrassment or assume that the problem will disappear without treatment.
It is also important to tell medical professionals about any prescription medicines, recreational drugs or other substances taken, as this information can help guide treatment.
If an erection is unusually prolonged, painful or associated with a known medical risk, seeking advice earlier is sensible.
Men should not attempt invasive procedures themselves or rely on unproven home remedies.
Why doctors want men to take the warning seriously
The rise in hospital cases has renewed attention on a condition that is rarely discussed openly despite its potentially serious consequences.
While erectile dysfunction medications can provide substantial benefits when used appropriately, combining them with recreational drugs or misusing treatments can introduce avoidable risks.
Doctors are particularly concerned about people attempting to prolong erections without understanding the possible complications.
The central message is that a prolonged erection is not simply an inconvenience or an embarrassing side effect.
In some circumstances, it is a medical emergency that can permanently affect sexual function.
With 530 men requiring hospital treatment in the latest reported year, specialists are encouraging greater awareness of the warning signs and the importance of seeking help promptly.
Source: The Sun, October 18, 2026, citing NHS hospital figures and comments from consultant urological surgeon Gordon Muir. Additional medical context based on established NHS guidance on priapism.
