The data of patients treated for priapism in the Department of Urology of Semmelveis University Medical School between 1951 and 1971 are analyzed. Eleven patients were hospitalized and three were outpatients. After a brief survey of the literature, mechanism, aetiology and treatment of the condition are discussed. In the majority of the patients after the cessation of priapism sexual libido returned as a rule without the appearance of erection. Three cases are briefly described. In four patients after some time partial erection and orgasm was experienced under mechanical influence. Two of these patients had married and have children.