It’s not just a myth; a penile fracture can actually happen, and this condition requires immediate medical attention. A penile fracture, which causes various symptoms such as sudden end of erection, swelling of the penis, and blood pooling under the skin, is an injury that should not be ignored. Due to the increasing inquiries about penile fracture, in this article,        Dalili Medical, I will answer questions such as “What is a penile fracture?”, “What are the symptoms of a penile fracture?”, “Why does a penile fracture occur?”, and “How is a penile fracture treated?”. I will share the answers to these questions with you.

What is a penile fracture?

 

A “penile fracture” refers to a tear in the sheath that surrounds the tubes responsible for hardening, known as the tunica albuginea. This tear occurs as a result of pressure or coercion during sexual intercourse, or through uncontrolled movements during masturbation. The pressure on the penis can cause it to wrinkle and tear the sheath. A penile fracture is a type of physical trauma that requires immediate medical attention. If left untreated, this condition can lead to permanent deformities of the penis, as well as difficulties in achieving or maintaining an erection.

**What causes a broken penis?**

 

Penile fractures occur as a result of trauma or injury to the penis during erection, often during violent sexual activity.

**How ​​is a broken penis treated?**

 

Treatment usually requires emergency surgery to repair the damaged tissue and restore normal function.

**What are the symptoms of a broken penis?**

 

Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, and bruising, as well as hearing a popping sound when the injury occurs.

**How ​​is a broken penis diagnosed?**

 

The diagnosis is confirmed through physical examinations, and in some cases, imaging techniques such as ultrasound may be used.

**Can penile fractures be prevented?**

 

Penile fractures can be prevented by taking precautions during sexual activity to avoid excessive force

**Why do penile fractures occur?**

 

The main cause of a broken penis is excessive pressure during erection, especially during intercourse. Penile fracture can occur as a result of an injury to the pelvic bone during uncontrolled penetration, in situations where the woman is in control, or when the man initiates intercourse without the penis being fully erect. To reduce the risk of penile fracture, it is important to wait until the penis reaches its ideal hardness before intercourse begins, and to act with caution during the process. Although penile fractures are not common, they can lead to serious complications if they occur.

**Will the penis always be bent or twisted after a fracture?**

 

If the injury is treated in a timely manner, within 24 hours of its occurrence, most men recover without major long-term problems. However, if treatment is delayed, men may suffer from erectile dysfunction and sometimes Peyronie's disease, which leads to a curvature of the penis.

What exactly happens inside the penis if there is no bone fracture?

 

There is a sausage-like sheath known as the tunica albuginea, which is responsible for holding the components of the penis together. A penile fracture refers to a tear or damage that occurs in this sheath. When this happens, it becomes impossible to generate and maintain pressure inside the penis, affecting the ability to get an erection. The blood, which helps to create an erection, does not stay "inside the penis" but can leak out. Furthermore, the healing process of the tear can cause the penis to bend. In about 20% of men, the injury also affects the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder.

How can you, as a woman, know this is happening? Do you hear a sound? How can you tell?

 

Often, but not always, a "pop" sound is heard accompanied by sudden pain in the penis. The penis usually loses its erection. In some cases, it may develop into a hematoma and the area may turn black and blue (a blood collection).

**What are the symptoms of a broken penis?**

 

Men can experience a range of symptoms as a result of a broken penis during intercourse. The most prominent symptoms associated with a broken penis include:

- Hearing a popping or cracking sound when the injury occurs.

- Sudden cessation of erection.

- Severe pain in the penis.

- Blood collection under the skin of the penis.

- Bruising and swelling in the area.

- Difficulty urinating.

- In some cases, bleeding may occur.

Although the penis may be exposed to trauma during intercourse, this does not necessarily mean that it will break. Sometimes, the sheath surrounding the tubes responsible for erection can be damaged without being torn. In this case, treatment options should be reevaluated; if treatment is neglected, damage to the sheath may lead to long-term curvature of the penis. Therefore, men who experience symptoms of penile fracture are advised to immediately see a urologist and andrologist, as delaying treatment may negatively affect their overall health and quality of sexual life.

### Causes of Penile Fracture

Violence during sexual intercourse is one of the main causes of penile fracture, and some inappropriate sexual positions may contribute to this. For example, the position of a woman sitting completely on top of the man is considered one of the most likely positions to lead to penile fracture, as a sudden and strong collision occurs between the penis and the woman's pelvic bones, causing tissue rupture. There are also several other reasons that may lead to a broken penis, including:

- Car accidents.

- Having violent sex.

- Using incorrect positions during intercourse.

- Being exposed to gunshot wounds in the pelvic area.

- Excessive masturbation.

- Being exposed to severe burns.

### Positions that may lead to a broken penis

- **The rider position**: This position is considered one of the most common positions that lead to a broken penis, as the percentage of injuries resulting from it reaches about 50% of cases, since the wife is fully loaded on the penis.

- **Standing position facing each other**.

- **The position facing the man carrying the woman**.

- **The position of theReverse Knight**.

Therefore, specialists are advised to avoid inappropriate positions that may cause injuries or problems for both parties, stressing the need to ensure that the penis is fully erect before starting penetration.

**Diagnosis of Penile Fracture**

A quick and accurate diagnosis of penile fracture is vital to ensure effective treatment. Diagnosis usually includes the following:

**Physical examination**A thorough physical examination is often sufficient to identify a penile fracture. Characteristic symptoms, such as swelling, deformity, and hematoma, are usually evident.

**Imaging studies**In some cases, imaging studies may be required to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the injury. Common imaging methods include:

- **Ultrasound**: This technique helps visualize the tear in the alveolar sheath and any associated hematoma.

- **Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)**: MRI provides detailed images of the structures of the penis, which helps identify potential injuries to the urethra or other tissues.

**Retrograde urethrogram**: If a urethral injury is suspected, this type of imaging can help assess the integrity of the urethra.

**What are the risks of penile fracture?**

 

A penile injury resulting from a fracture can lead to erectile dysfunction, making it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection. The urethra or urethra may also become narrowed, causing problems with urination. If left untreated, an infection may develop in the penis.

Scarring and fibrosis in the penis can lead to Peyronie’s disease, which causes the penis to curve.

**What is the difference between a bent penis and a broken penis? Does a bent penis mean it is broken?**

 

A bent penis usually indicates a curvature. Many men have a slight curvature known as congenital penile curvature, which occurs during erection. This slight curvature, which has been present for a long time, is considered normal and does not require treatment unless it causes functional problems.

Some men may have a severe curvature that can prevent them from having sex, as the penis appears bent. This is often caused by scar tissue or fibrous tissue forming in the penis, known as Peyronie's disease. Peyronie's disease is thought to be caused by an injury, sometimes so small that men don't even realize it.

**How ​​long does it take to recover from a broken penis?**

 

If a man shows signs of a broken penis, it's best to stop having sex for a while and see a urologist or go to the emergency room right away. After an evaluation, the urologist will determine how long to abstain from sexual activity. Typically, a person will have to wait until they're fully healed before resuming sex. In most cases, surgical correction is recommended, and the surgeon - a urologist - will advise waiting at least 6 weeks after surgery before returning to sexual activity.

**Is a broken penis common?**

 

A broken penis is not a common condition, but many people don't seek medical care. Sometimes, a broken penis heals on its own without major side effects, while in other cases it can cause minor erection problems, but it often causes major problems. According to published studies, the lifetime risk of penile fracture is estimated at about 1 in 500. The actual risk is likely to be 2-3 times higher, since many patients do not seek medical care until months or even years later.

**Major Penile Fracture Treatment**

A penile fracture can heal naturally without the need for surgical intervention, provided that none of the symptoms mentioned above appear. If these symptoms appear, you should go to the nearest hospital to repair the cavernous tear and treat the tunica albuginea tear, as treatment in this case requires urgent surgery within the next four hours.

**Minor Penile Fracture Treatment**

If there is a minor tear due to bad habits, there is no need to worry. You may notice weak erection and loss of desire, but you just need to rest. Within a period of two to three weeks, you will notice the tear healing with appropriate treatment. A slight tear in the cavernous tissue resulting from forcefully moving the penis to the right or left or bending it is not a cause for concern, even if there is a slight curvature, as long as it does not cause pain or affect the erection process.

**Treatment of penile fracture**

A local examination performed immediately after the injury occurs, whether or not X-rays are performed, can determine the following:

- The location of the fracture

- The extent of the fracture

- Whether the fracture has caused damage to the urethra, which occurs in at least about a third of cases.

Most cases require surgical intervention, where the surgeon uses stitches to treat the tear of the tunica albuginea and the corpus cavernosum.

Immediate exploratory surgery is the best option in most cases where the urethra is affected, where the skin of the penis is opened to drain the bleeding and swelling, then the site of the tear is determined and the repair process begins.

The success rate of surgical operations to treat penile fractures reaches 90%, but some men may sometimes suffer from side effects such as:

- Erectile dysfunction

- Severe pain during erection

- Penile curvature.

The treating physician must follow up on the progress of the case to ensure that the ability to erect is restored and the function of the urinary tract is maintained.

The physician is also interested in examining the veins and arteries in the penis, assessing the level of blood flow, and checking the strength of the erection.

**Urgent medical care**

Penile fractures require urgent medical intervention, as delaying treatment may lead to complications such as erectile dysfunction, penile curvature, and painful erection.

**Surgical intervention** The usual treatment for penile fractures is surgical repair, which includes the following steps:

1. **Incision and extension**Shav**: An incision is made to expose the affected area and locate the tear in the alveolar sheath.

2. **Tear repair**: The tear is carefully sutured to restore the integrity of the alveolar sheath.

3. **Hematoma removal**: Any collected blood (hematoma) is drained to reduce swelling and prevent further complications.

Surgical interventions have high success rates, significantly reducing the risk of long-term complications.

**Postoperative care**

After surgery, patients are typically advised to:

- Avoid sexual activity: It is best to abstain from sexual activity for several weeks to ensure proper healing.

- Follow-up visits: It is important to attend follow-up appointments to monitor the healing process and address any concerns that may arise.

- Medications: Prescribed medications should be taken to relieve pain and prevent infection.

**Penile fracture after surgery**

**Recovery and complications**Most patients recover well after surgery to repair a penile fracture. However, some may experience complications, including:

- **Infection**: As with any surgery, there is a risk of infection.

- **Penile curvature**: Some patients may experience a curvature or deformity of the penis.

- **Erectile dysfunction**: Although erectile dysfunction is rare, it may occur as a result of damage to the penile tissue or nerves.

**Long-term results**With prompt and appropriate treatment, long-term outcomes for penile fracture patients are generally positive. Most patients regain their ability to have an erection normally and experience minimal long-term complications.

What are the necessary steps after penile fracture surgery?

 

Doctors usually recommend that patients take antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. The patient is also kept under close observation for up to three days.

After surgery, the patient needs a complete rest period that may extend for several months to ensure full recovery.

It is important to note that if a penile fracture is not treated promptly, it may result in penile deformity or a permanent inability to maintain an erection necessary for sexual intercourse.