Priapism after androstenedione intake for athletic performance enhancement

Priapism is a relatively rare condition characterized by persistent painful erection of the corpora cavernosum that occurs unrelated to sexual stimula tion or desire. It has been associated with cocaine exposure, sickle cell a nemia, anticoagulant therapy, neoplastic syndromes, diabetes, and the use o f psychotropic medications. Androstenedione is a testosterone precursor use d by athletes to enhance performance; the lay press has recently touted thi s substance as an over-the-counter sexual stimulant. We describe an otherwi se healthy man with 2 episodes of priapism after the use of androstenedione . The patient did not have any factors known to precipitate priapism.