Erections lasting longer that four hours?

I heard this on a commercial for Cialis. They said that erections lasting this long could be a medical emergency, and require immediate medical attention.
Why, exactly? Would the erection itself be in jeopardy, or is the sustained erection symptomatic of something else?
I can’t believe this hasn’t been asked before, but I searched and found nothing (on the SDMB).

One of the possible effects of sustained priapism is permanent impotence. Don’t know about you, but I’d sure call that serious!

I only searched IMHO and GQ. Never thunk of MPSIMS. I should have known better. :wink:
Anyway, here you go.
MPSIMS. Unbelieveable, I swan.
:stuck_out_tongue:

Serious for sure.
Seriously good or seriously bad, now that depends. :wink:

Did you purposely sidestep the opportunity to use the phrase “I searched long and hard”?

Damn!