Penile Fractures: How To Avoid It & What To Do If It Happens To You

Penile Fractures: How To Avoid It & What To Do If It Happens To You

Penile fracture occurs when the penis is bent due to direct force during erection.

The penis does not have bones, but this does not mean it cannot break. Penile fractures should be treated as an emergency.

Although it might be uncomfortable to think about, it is still important to understand the facts. Let's take a look:

  • What is it?

  • What causes it?

  • How can it be prevented?

  • What are the symptoms?

  • How is it treated?

  • How long does it take to recover?

What is a penile fracture?

When the penis is erect, it may fracture due to sudden bending or excessive force, resulting in tearing of the internal structure.

Inside the penis, there are two cylindrical structures called the corpora cavernosa of the penis.

When these two pillars are filled with blood, it will cause an erection.

Two sponge columns are protected by a white membrane, which is a thick layer of protective tissue.

When an erect penis is forced to suddenly bend, the white membrane will tear.

This kind of white membrane tear is usually referred to as penile fracture.

If not treated in time, it can lead to some serious problems, such as erectile dysfunction, erectile pain and penile deformity, etc.

Symptoms of penile fracture

Some of the most common symptoms of penile fracture include:

  • Suddenly cracking or popping sounds occur when injured

  • Loss of erectile function after injury

  • Severe pain in the penis

  • Local or diffuse swelling of the penis

  • Subcutaneous bruising of the penis

  • Blood in urine or difficulty in urination

  • Penis bleeding

What causes a fracture of the penis?

The most common scenario is that a penile fracture occurs during sexual intercourse, when the penis slides in the wrong direction and is forcefully pushed towards the partner.

However, penile fractures can also occur for the following reasons:

Intense masturbation

Collisions with furniture, walls or door frames

Falling or accidentally rolling onto the erect part

In some cultures, there is a practice called "taqaandan" to change the shape of the penis or to cause the erection to subside

Treatment of penile fracture

The treatment for a fractured penis may include surgery or home care.

Home care may involve:

Using an ice pack to relieve pain and swelling

Wearing a bandage or splint to keep the penis in the correct position

Although certain home treatments after a penis fracture may be helpful, seeking the advice of a doctor is crucial.

It has been proven that repairing the torn tissue through surgery can provide better treatment outcomes for patients, as the complication rate of only home treatment is very high.

In fact, surgery is believed to have a 90% effect in restoring sexual function.

The treatment for a fractured penis is usually carried out immediately, usually within 24 hours of the injury.

The surgeon makes a small incision in the skin to enter the damaged area, or makes a circumcision incision to remove the glove to observe and repair.

Sutures are used to reconnect the torn white membrane area

The doctor will ensure that the urethra is not torn and also handle it

The goal is to ensure the restoration of erectile ability and that the penis heals correctly to avoid any type of deformity.

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