purple penis with erection post surgery

[Burney]

My husband is 5 weeks out from robotic surgery and is having some slight erections, but the better they get, the more purple the head of the penis gets, until the erection goes down.  Anyone have an idea?
Les and Burney

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,
Making the appointment is a good step.
The color change sounds like there is prolonged release of the erection similar to priapism. The dynamics of erections are unique in that there is a controlled engorgement of blood to produce the apporopriate rigidity required for intercourse. There should be some pain though, unless some nerves may have been numbed from the surgery.

Off the bat I'm thinking of what a Doppler ultrasound of the blood vessels will show (of course the examination of the doctor may or may not call for this kind of testing).

If the episode seems to be triggered by the "bearing down" pressure from the abdomen during defecation, while waiting for the doctor's appointment it may be a good idea to take in lots of fibre and vegetables to limit the amount pressure required to pass feces. Put another way, a little diarrhea may be helpful.

[Artdude]

Hello again.  Glad to hear you had your husband make an appt.  It could be happening for the couple of reasons you have suggested.  I hope the doctor doesn't say, "its fine."  I would hope that if he doesn't have an answer for you he will be upfront and then help find one.  stay in touch.  Godspeed.

[Burney]

Hi again.  I am Les (short for Leslie)  DB is my hubby.  He just won't get on the computer, so I get to do it.  The more I thought of it, the more I realized that if part of me was turning purple I would like for my doc to see me and talk about it.  So I called DB at work today and told him that he needed to get an appt.  We go in to talk next Thurs.  It is so hard to talk to surgeons after surgery if there is a problem.  I had my colon removed 2 years ago and they altered my female parts and when I told my surgeon, my concerns he told me everything was fine.  It hasn't been fine but we have adjusted the best we can.  I just hope DB will be ok.  I know he won't be like before, but I don't care about that.  I just wonder if there is a small blood clot or something in there that blocks off an area during the erection.  He is unable to have an erection other than on the toilet!  And that was the purple one.  
Thanks for the info on dogpile.
Les

[Artdude]

I went to dogpile and typed in "why is head of penis purple?" and several sites popped up including medhelp because in the archives someone else had this problem--though i believe it was due to tightend foreskin.  I have read--and know to be true from personal experience since my operation--that everything is different down there.  It could be nothing as the nurse suggested.  Just keep a watch.  Les should pay close attention to to any pain.  Colorwise, he could be different now. I have called my nurse whenever something was up.  Sometimes it has been nothing, but at least my concern is in my file.  All the best to a great recovery.  Keep me posted.  You can drop me a message any time.  Peace.

[Burney]

Thanks for the reply.  I am wondering about restriction from bloodflow too.  He is circumcised, so it isn't that.  We called and talked to the nurse, who said it might be nothing and to just watch it and see if it continues.  I am wondering if a small bloodclot is in there and only restricts the flow during the engorgement of the shaft section.  So far the erections are only when he is having a bowel movement.  I have heard that that happens, and still we see it as a great sign.  I can find nothing on a net search.  Where did you look?  I don't want you to get in trouble if this site frowns on referring to other sites, so it is ok.  Maybe you could tell me what words you searched under.
Thanks,  I hope it is going to be ok.  
Les and Burney

[Artdude]

Hello.  If it weren't for your concern over the purple shade, I would say congratulations!  To have an erection, however slight, at only 5 weeks is remarkable.  I looked on the net and found several references to this condition.  It is often due to restricted blood flow.  Men who are not circumcised and whose foreskin doesn't fully retract can have this condition.  The foreskin becomes tight and doesn't let enough blood flow to the head.  If your husband is not circumcised perhaps his new erections are "interfering" with his foreskin and are part of the problem.   Several suggestions were made to see your doctor.  So...give him a call.  He/She or the nurse should be able to give you some suggestions on what to do or at least let you know whether this is a cause of concern.  Is your husband in any pain when this happens?  That would definitely be an indicator of a real problem.