Colombian man forced to amputate penis after Viagra overdose

A Colombian man had to get his penis amputated after he reportedly took too much Viagra in an attempt to impress his new girlfriend, The Independent UK reported

According to the paper, 66-year-old Gentil Ramírez Polanía suffered an erection that lasted for several days after overdosing on Viagra. He finally went to a nearby hospital when the pain became too much to bear. "I took the medicine on Saturday at seven o'clock at night but by nine I was in so much pain I had to ask my neighbour to take me to hospital," the Mirror UK quoted him as saying.

"When I got there, they said there was nothing they could do so I went home, but it didn't get any better. I suffered for a while but I couldn't cope anymore and got a bus to a bigger hospital in Neiva. I had bruises all my genitals."

Upon examination, the penis was found to be inflamed, fractured and showed signs of gangrene.

The doctors said they had no option but to remove the penis, or else the gangrene would spread to the rest of his body. According to local reports, the man has been treated and is recovering well.

Medical professionals at the hospital warned men to not use penis-enhancing drugs without prescription to avoid landing themselves in a similar situation.

According to the report, overdosing on Viagra can cause other problems such as nausea and sudden vision and hearing loss.

Painful, prolonged erections can cause permanent damage to the penis if not treated within 24 hours.

yamadak@sph.com.sg