Even though the penis doesn’t have bones, you can ‘break’ your penis if you have a penile fracture. This happens when an erect penis is bent suddenly and with force. It usually happens during sexual activity.
Your penis has two columns or cylinders, called the corpora cavernosa, that are like sponges that fill with blood and make the penis hard. These columns are covered by a protective layer called the tunica albuginea. Your penis is considered ‘broken’ when the tunica albuginea is torn open. Yes…ouch!
Penile fracture isn’t uncommon, but people don’t always realise that it is a medical emergency and that you need to get medical help immediately.
Doctors consider a penile fracture a urological emergency because it has the potential to affect a man’s sexual and urinary function permanently.
Most men will seek treatment at an emergency department. The faster a man can see a doctor and have the fracture treated, usually within eight hours, the more likely he is to experience a full recovery. Receiving treatment later, or not at all, may result in permanent damage.
Penile fracture is caused by blunt force, when your penis is erect and it hits something hard and bends.
It happens more often in younger men.
The symptoms of penile fracture often include:
- A popping or cracking sound when it happens.
- Extreme pain that may or may not continue.
- Immediate loss of erection.
- Bruising and swelling from blood build-up under the skin.
- Blood in the urine or at the tip of the penis.
Common causes are:
- Sexual activity with a partner.
- Energetic masturbation.
- Falling onto your erection, rolling over onto your erection or hitting your erect penis against a wall or door in a dark room.
Diagnose of a penile fracture is usually by physical examination alone. However, your doctor may also order tests such as, ultrasound or an MRI.
Currently, penile fracture is most often treated with surgery. Your surgeon will repair the tunica albuginea with stitches. Your doctor will also look for other injuries, such as a tear in the urethra.
You might be in the hospital for a few days after penile fracture surgery, with follow-up visits to check that the wound is healing and that you aren’t having problems urinating.
Your doctor will let you know when you can go back to work and when you can return to sexual activity.
Complications of penile fracture repair surgery may include:
- A curved penis.
- Fistulas (unwanted openings).
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Painful erection.
It’s not a good idea to let your penis heal by itself. If you had an injury and didn’t get immediate care, you should still talk to your doctor. If your penile fracture is treated, the outlook is good, however, if you don’t have surgery right away, or ever, you may have a higher risk of problems with:
- Urinating.
- Getting and keeping an erection.
- Your penis being curved or bent.
- Scar tissue forming.
If you are still reading this, here is the part where we tell you to please be careful with your penis!
You only get one, so look after it!
Ok, now that that’s out of the way, we can let you know about some things that you may find helpful after a penile fracture which you can purchase at your local Naked Passion store.
If your doctor has given you the go ahead to resume sexual activity you may want to ease back into it gently.
A masturbation stroker either manual or electronic may help with a more gentle recovery, and plenty of a good quality, water based, lubricant for a smooth glide.
If you are having problems getting an erection, a penis pump can help draw blood into the penis. Pumps are great as they are usually clear so you can see what’s happening, also they have a quick release so if you experience any pain you can stop immediately.
Lastly, cock rings are an option to help hold an erection, but whatever you choose to help you get back to a normal healthy sex life, please do it gently!