A lot of people, especially men, think that a penis fracture is something that only happens in movies. But it does happen in real life, so it's important to know what causes it. So for dads who want to avoid "breaking" their penis, read on to learn how you can avoid this injury!
The last thing you want to happen during an intimate moment with your wife is to have a penis fracture!
What is a penis fracture?
Technically speaking, since there are no bones in the penis, you can't really break it. But, it can be fractured if the corpora cavernosa, or the tube-like parts inside the penis that fill with blood when it's erect, suddenly burst.
Fractures happen when the penis gets bent at an odd angle. During a fracture, the corpora cavernosa bursts, and you will hear a cracking or popping sound. It's extremely painful, and causes bruising and swelling.
According to Rush University Medical Center urologist Laurence Levine, "Usually there’s no bleeding coming out through the skin, it’s an internal fracture of the jacket of tissue around the erectile cylinders — that blood then leaks out of the erectile cylinders and fills the skin, and therefore gets progressively more swollen and can get very misshapen as well."
"The characteristic appearance of the penis will be what’s called the eggplant penis, where the penis just looks like a purple eggplant; a very irregular, swollen structure," he adds.
Sexual activity is the number one cause of penis fractures, since fractures can only happen to an erect penis.
How can it be prevented?
Since a penis fracture mostly happen during intercourse, it's important for couples to be aware of which sex positions can cause injury. Here are some of those sex positions:
1. Woman on top
Dr. Levine shares, "The most common way a penis fracture occurs is during penetrative sexual activity, and the most common position is going to be female on top."
"The penis comes out and in, and in the attempt to go back in, you miss, and you hit the pelvic bone or the buttock or something that is not allowing the passage of the penis. The penis is getting bent suddenly, those pressures go sky-high, and then you have a tear."
Whenever you and your wife are going to have sex in this position, make sure to focus on rocking and grinding instead of moving the penis in and out. This helps prevent any incorrect penetration which can cause penis fractures.
2. Reverse cowgirl
Similar to the "woman on top" position, the reverse cowgirl position also comes with the same risks. This position puts the penis at a downward angle that adds pressure, which can increase the risk of a fracture.
Just like the "woman on top" position, it's best to focus on rocking and grinding while you're having sex in this position.
3. Sex from behind
Having sex from behind, or "doggy style," can also cause fractures as this position places a lot of pressure on the man's penis. If it's done too fast, it can cause a lot of resistance which can fracture the penis.
It's best to just do it slowly and not try to force anything to prevent pain, discomfort, and potential injury.
4. Any rough sex act
Lastly, it's important to know that being too rough when it comes to sex can potentially cause injury. Having sex at the right pace helps avoid any issues. Problems usually start when either partner starts moving too fast and too vigorously.
This is why taking it nice and easy and moving at the right pace is key. After all, sex isn't something that should be rushed, it should be enjoyed.
What should you do if it happens to you?
If the worst happens and you manage to fracture your penis, don't worry!
It might be painful, but rest assured that it can still be repaired. Here are some things to remember:
- Don't wait! If you think you fractured your penis, go to a doctor immediately! The longer it goes untreated, the worse it will be. That's because it can cause scarring, which can lead to a curve in your penis, or even erectile dysfunction as a result of the scar tissue.
- Know the signs. The most obvious sign would be extreme pain and swelling. You can also hear a popping or cracking sound when it happens. In some cases, if there is blood when you urinate, it could also mean that your urethra has been damaged. Make sure to go to a doctor immediately once you notice these signs.
- Doctors can fix it. Penile fractures need to be surgically fixed, but don't be afraid to go under the knife! You risk complications by not getting it checked. It's best to go to a doctor within 72 hours.
- You can still engage in intercourse after the operation. Lastly, if you undergo an operation to fix the fracture, you should still be able to have sex four to six weeks after the operation. It might sound like a long time, but it's better to be safe than sorry!
Sources: Men's Health, emedicine, Medscape
Photo from: Pixabay
READ: 10 Things you might be surprised to know about your husband’s penis
Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Singapore
