Because of all the joys that are associated with a firm male organ, many a man has found himself wishing he could stay in that state permanently. (Indeed, during adolescence it sometimes seems that this actually IS the case.) But in fact, a prolonged tumescence can be a serious condition. Exercising adequate male organ care can't prevent prolonged tumescence, but knowing about this condition and what to do if it does occur are important to ensure the health of a man's favorite body part.

Acute tumescence vs. a strong firm organ

So what's the difference between prolonged tumescence and having a firm male organ for a marathon sensual session? Basically, even among men who engage in sensual activity for hours on end, the firmness of the tumescence varies; indeed, most likely a man will go relatively "soft" for some periods even when he continues to engage sensually for an extended period of time.

With prolonged tumescence, however, the manhood remains firmly tumescent for four hours or more without ever "deflating"– and often this occurs not when a man is sensually active but is simply in a "neutral" state.

That may sound like a "so what?" kind of situation – after all, guys are used to getting firm manhoods that may cause some discomfort but are not really a pain. With prolonged tumescence, however, there can be genuine pain associated with it. Many men who have experienced it say that the pain can become intense and nearly unbearable – and it's not a pain that can be relieved by simply self-pleasuring, as the organ continues to remain firm.

Damage

Of even more concern than the discomfort is the fact that episodes of prolonged tumescence can cause substantial damage. Male organ tissue, blood vessels and circulation can all be dangerously impacted. In some cases, if left untreated, it can lead to chronic or permanent firmness dysfunction or even to gangrenous infection.

Cause and treatment

Prolonged tumescence occurs when blood flows into the member and cannot escape. There are several situations which can cause this to occur, including blockage due to sickling (in a man with sickle cell anemia), a ruptured male organ artery, manhood injury, medication side effects (often associated with medicines intended to treat firmness issues) and trauma to the spinal cord.

Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause, but it should always be handled by a doctor. Sometimes nothing more is needed than careful application of ice packs; in other cases, the doctor may suggest removal of excess blood via a needle, application of a medicine which can help to alleviate the cause of the blockage or other means. In some cases, surgery may be required.

Prolonged tumescence is considered a fairly rare disorder; a 2001 study from the Netherlands found an incidence rate of 5 cases in the 145,000 men in the study. It is more likely to occur in men between the ages of 20 and 50; in men with sickle cell disease, it is most likely to occur between ages 19 and 21. However, it can occur in men of any age.

Although many men may feel embarrassed about receiving treatment for what they think of as merely an aggressively firm male organ, it's important to receive professional treatment for prolonged tumescence. It's also important to maintain overall male organ health so that the organ is in its best possible condition. Using a first-class male organ health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can help maintain that manhood fitness. Look for a crème that includes L-arginine, an enzyme which aids nitric oxide production and thereby helps open blood vessels. Also key: a crème with alpha lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant which helps offset harmful oxidative processes that early on age member cells.

Visit http://www.menshealthfirst.com for additional information on most common manhood health issues, tips on improving member sensitivity and what to do to maintain a healthy male organ. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous websites.