long lasting clitoral erections with no cause - #14318
hello! I asked this on the older ask docs site before I realized the site had moved- I get long lasting clitoral erections for seemingly no reason with no arousal causing it. It does not hurt but lasts from can last anywhere from 3 hours to 10 hours before it goes down. I struggle with social anxiety and I want to know if this could be a sign of an underlying condition and if I need to pursue medical help in person for it. I also have a general feeling of heaviness in my pelvis and sometimes struggle to urinate.
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Doctors’ responses
Hello dear See as per clinical history it seems two main.causes for clitoris erection. Hormonal alterations due to physiological variation or pelvic nerve damage/ischaemia First condition is normal but second could be alarming. Hence iam suggesting some tests for confirmation Urine analysis Pelvic USG Rft Lft Serum progesterone Serum ferritin Serum estrogen Kindly get these years done and share result with gynaecologist in person for better clarity Please don’t take any medication without consulting the concerned physician Hopefully you recover soon Regards
Hello Lily By going through your history and evaluation of your health status I must say please get some tests done as follows - Ultra Sonography (USG) Endocrine test
After going through these test kindly share your report with me or consult Gynecologist and endocrinologist for Better clear evaluation .
Thank you
Hi Lily, thank you for sharing this openly. I understand this must feel confusing and distressing. The issue you’re facing might be due to one of a few reasons. To find it out, you need to undergo some tests. Kindly review with the results of the following tests-
1. Pelvic Ultrasound with Doppler. 2. Urine Routine & Microscopy. 3. Hormonal Profile.
Till then - Avoid prolonged sitting, use a soft cushion or donut pillow. Practice pelvic floor relaxation (not Kegels). Try gentle warm compresses over the lower pelvis for relief. Manage anxiety through deep breathing, mindfulness, or guided relaxation. This can significantly ease symptoms.
If the swelling or erection becomes painful, red, or doesn’t go away even after 10–12 hours, seek urgent medical evaluation to rule out a vascular cause.
Regards, Dr. Nirav Jain MBBS, DNB D.Fam.Med
Your anxiety is not the cause but adrenaline & chronic pelvic tension can prolong the episodes. Working with a therapist trained in pelvic-focused CBT or somatic therapy can help minimize triggers.
Your symptoms fit PGAD, a genuine neurological-pelvic disorder. It is treatable with the right specialists. Please don’t feel embarrassed doctors are familiar with this.
Hello lily,
These symptoms could indicate conditions such as Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD), pelvic congestion syndrome, or pelvic nerve or muscle dysfunction, which affect blood flow or nerve activity in the pelvic area.
Although not typically dangerous, these symptoms warrant evaluation by a gynecologist or urologist, who may recommend imaging, nerve studies, or pelvic floor assessment to find the cause.
🛑Meanwhile You can avoid prolonged sitting wear loose clothing practice relaxation techniques track potential triggers
Investigations: Pelvic usg Hormone profile
Don’t worry lily👍 this is likely treatable once the underlying cause is identified.
Persistent clitoral erections that last for an extended period as you describe could be a condition known as clitoral priapism, although this is quite rare. It’s important to pay attention to this symptom, especially if it’s affecting your quality of life. The underlying causes of such symptoms can vary, including hormonal imbalances, localized blood flow issues, or sometimes the use of certain medications—whether prescribed or recreational. Additionally, the general feeling of heaviness in the pelvis and difficulty urinating can sometimes be related to conditions affecting the pelvic organs, such as cystitis or other pelvic inflammatory conditions. Given the combination of symptoms, it would be prudent to see a healthcare provider to explore potential causes further.
They may want to perform some initial tests like a pelvic examination or ultrasound to rule out any anatomical or physiological issues. Blood tests to look at hormone levels might be considered too. While anxiety doesn’t directly cause clitoral erections of this nature, stress and anxiety can sometimes exacerbate physical symptoms, so addressing anxiety alongside the physical symptoms could be helpful. Given that this situation is causing significant distress, it’s worthwhile to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. They can then determine the next steps for diagnosis and management, ensuring that any more serious underlying issues are addressed promptly. In the meantime, try to keep track of any other accompanying symptoms or triggers that might help in your clinical evaluation.
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