What Are the Risk Factors for Penile Fracture?

What-Are-the-Risk-Factors-for-Penile-Fracture

Is It Possible To Fracture Your Penis?

Yes. Although rare, a penis fracture can occur when there is trauma to an erect penis.

A penis fracture differs from other fractures in the body because the penis has no bones. During an erection, the penis is engorged with blood that fills two cylinders (corpora cavernosa). If an engorged penis is bent suddenly or forcefully, the trauma can rupture the outer lining of one of the two cylinders (tunica albuginea). This can result in a penis fracture.

Penile fracture is possible when a man experiences trauma to his erect penis, sometimes during rough sexual intercourse.

Symptoms Of Penile Fracture?

If you take a sharp blow to the genitals, your penis may be sore or bruised. Penile fracture is a more severe injury. The following symptoms are red flags for possible fracture:

Audible snapping or popping sound
Sudden loss of your erection
Severe pain following the injury
Dark bruising above the injured area
Bent penis
Blood leaking from penis
Difficult urination

What Are the Risk Factors for Penile Fracture?

Worldwide, the most common cause of penile fracture is injury to the penis during sexual intercourse. Because penile fracture occurs when the penis is erect, it is most likely to occur when a man is having sex, particularly during aggressive thrusting. If the penis slips out of a sexual partner and forcefully strikes their pelvis or another part of their body, it may fracture.

Penile fracture could be possible in any sexual position, but research indicates that “doggy style” and “partner-on-top” (often called “cowgirl” or “reverse cowgirl”) may be the most frequent culprits. Of the 90 men with penile fracture who participated in one such study, 37 (41%) reported injuring their penis during “doggy style” sex, which was the most frequently reported sexual position to cause injury in this study. A similar study looked at the cause of penile fracture in 44 men and found that 28 of the participants experienced penile fracture during heterosexual intercourse. For this sample, “partner on top” was the most common cause of injury, with 14 (50%) of the men citing it as the sexual position they were in at the time of penile fracture, followed by “doggy style” (8 participants, 28.6%).

Treatment

If you or your partner experience penile trauma during sexual intercourse or otherwise, it is important to seek medical care right away. Delaying treatment may lead to worsening symptoms and unnecessary suffering.

A penis fracture requires urgent medical attention. The injury can usually be diagnosed with a physical exam, but additional testing such as an ultrasound may be needed.

Left untreated, a penis fracture might result in a curved penis or the permanent inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sex (erectile dysfunction).

Summary

To avoid penile injuries, make sure there is adequate lubrication during intercourse and be careful during vigorous or “hard” penetrative intercourse. Also, avoid trying to force your erect penis into tight underwear or rolling over on an erection in bed. Any sudden force exerted on an erect penis could cause injury, major or minor.