Viagra warning as 530 men hospitalised over prolonged, painful erections

A record 530 men in the United Kingdom required hospital treatment last year for painful, prolonged erections, with some patients aged over 80.

According to The Sun, National Health Service (NHS) figures revealed an 11 per cent annual increase in priapism cases, representing a 58 per cent rise from 336 cases recorded a decade ago.

Of the affected men, 441 required emergency treatment, while five were in their 80s and 90s.

Priapism occurs when blood becomes trapped in the penis, causing prolonged erections that may require urgent medical intervention.

Treatment includes medication, draining trapped blood and, occasionally, surgery.

Consultant urological surgeon Gordon Muir warned against combining erectile dysfunction medications with recreational drugs.

“The mixture of drugs – typically Viagra, cocaine and amphetamines – can leave them with an erection for many hours, and this can be very dangerous for their long-term health.”

Experts stressed the importance of prompt medical treatment to prevent potentially permanent complications.