Penis Pain Explained: Identifying a Fractured Penis and How to Treat It

It’s the pop heard ‘round the world - the fractured penis. Most often occurring during sexy time, penile fractures are no joke. The penis pain from one of these alone can radiate to other galaxies. This injury usually happens in the lower two-thirds of the penis for a handful of reasons. While not a break, since the penis doesn’t have a bone per se, it is a major injury that requires immediate medical treatment as it can have long-term effects on a man’s ability to urinate as well as his ability to, as Marvin Gaye would put it, get it on. Here’s the 4-1-1 on what to do if you find yourself with a fractured penis.

Fractured Penis Symptoms

There are several symptoms a man can look for to determine if he has a fractured penis. Here are the major signs that a penile fracture may be what’s causing penis pain:

- Varying levels of pain from minor to major

- Hearing a cracking or popping sound upon receiving the issue

- Dark-colored bruising to the penis

- Bleeding from the penis

- Difficulty urinating

- Inability to get an erection

Research also indicated that a penile fracture takes on something called an "eggplant deformity" because the penis turns purple and swells. Minor symptoms of a fractured penis include blood in the urine and scrotal swelling.

Fracture Penis Causes

The penis has this sponge-like tissue called the corpus cavernosa. This is what fills with blood when a man gets an erection, and once filled, one or both sides of the area can snap, which results in a fractured penis. A man can only get a penile fracture when the penis is erect. Here are a few things that can cause a fractured penis:

- Thrusting too hard against the pubic bone or perineum during sex

- Rolling onto an erection in your sleep

- Awkward angles during sex

- Running into a door or piece of furniture while erect

- Falling onto an erect penis

Yeah, none of that sound fun, right?

Fractured Penis: When to See the Doctor

There’s only one answer when it comes to seeing the doctor when you get a fractured penis: immediately. Not only do they cause a lot of penis pain, but they also require immediate medical attention. Penile fractures can permanently damage a man’s sexual function and ability to urinate. Head to the emergency room and get it seen ASAP.

Once with a doctor, they will ask a lot of questions about how it happened. It’s also likely the doctor will use an X-ray or ultrasound machine to identify the exact area the fracture occurred, so they can treat it effectively.

Fractured Penis Treatment

There are several ways to treat a fractured penis, depending on the severity. Of course, any surgical or primary treatment will be performed by a medical professional at diagnosis. Most patients can expect to do these at-home treatments:

- Taking ibuprofen to relieve pain and swelling

- Applying cold compresses for ten minutes at a time to reduce swelling

- Wearing a special splint to alleviate pressure

- Using a Foley catheter to empty the bladder to minimize trauma to the penis

Fractured Penis Aftercare

Recovery always depends on two things: the severity of the injury and how well a man follows treatment protocols. After the doctor fixes it all up, a man can expect to refrain from all sexual activity for at least one month so the member can heal, sometimes longer. Some doctors will also prescribe sedatives or hormones during the healing phase to ensure a man doesn’t get an erection because erections will cause extreme penis pain and can upset recovery, which is necessary to regain all functions.

While healing and after, use a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) to protect and nourish the skin. These crèmes contain lots of nutrients and vitamins that ward against infection and keep the skin sensitive and responsive.

How a Man Can Tell if He Has a Penile Fracture and What to Do

A penile fracture is an uncommon and traumatizing injury that usually occurs when a man is knockin’ the boots. But how can a penis break? A fractured penis is not a "true" break since the penis is not a bone. A penile fracture is a rupture in both of the areas of the penis that create erections. These areas are called the corpora cavernosa and the penile sheath. This type of injury can cause permanent damage to a man’s urinary and sexual function, so it is vital to get medical attention immediately. Let’s run down everything a man needs to know about penile fractures.

Symptoms of a Penile Fracture

There are several potential symptoms of a penis fracture. They include:

- A cracking or popping sound

- Pain that varies from minor to extreme

- Bleeding from the penis

- Difficulty urinating

- Dark-colored bruising to the penis

- Loss of erection

- Eggplant deformity - when a penis appears to be swollen and purple, thus resembling an eggplant.

- Rupture of the veins and arteries in the penis

- Rupture of the suspensory ligament

According to studies, if the penile fracture symptoms that don’t include popping or immediate loss of erection, then it is likely not a fractured penis and is a different penis problem. It’s imperative to head to the emergency room for diagnosis.

Penile Fracture Causes

A penile fracture can only happen when a man is erect, so there are just a few ways a man can get a penile fracture. The penis must be erect because the corpus cavernosa has to be engorged with blood in order to snap.

The most common way for a man to fracture his penis is during sex. Contrary to popular belief, it does not happen only during rough sex. Most times, a man is just in a position where he has a likely chance of hitting a bone while thrusting. The other most notable cause is when a man rolls onto his erect penis while in bed. There is also a smaller number of men who end up with a fractured penis because they hit their erect penis on a door frame or other furniture, or they trip and fall on it when it is erect.

Penile Fracture Diagnosis and Treatment

First things first - get to the doctor immediately. When left untreated, a fractured penis can cause significant problems for a man. It can not only affect his sexual performance and enjoyment but also his urinary function.

The doctor, typically a urologist, will diagnose a penile fracture by inspecting the penis and asking questions about how it happened. Sometimes doctors will use an X-ray or ultrasound to locate the exact places that are damaged.

Treatment can have many levels. A man should take some ibuprofen and use a cloth-covered ice pack on the road to the doctor to reduce pain and swelling. Once at the hospital, it’s likely a man will get a catheter to empty the bladder to reduce pressure on the bladder. Depending on the severity of the fracture, a doctor may suggest wrapping the penis or wearing a splint to keep the penis in a position that reduces pressure and pain.

Some penile fractures will require surgical intervention. Surgery may be recommended for those men who have a hematoma or experience blood pooling, damaged blood vessels, cuts on the penis, or a damaged urethra. According to research, it’s suggested that surgery results in superior results for a man with a fractured penis.

Aftercare for Penile Fractures

Depending on the treatment, men will usually go home from the ER once they no longer need professional care. Most doctors recommend putting the brakes on getting busy in the bedroom for at least one month to give the penis time to heal fully. Usually, a man can expect to regain his sexual prowess; however, in rare cases, a man may need additional supplementation to get an erection, such as medication or hormones.

During and after this healing period, a man should take extra measures to preserve his penis health. Cleansing the penis gently but thoroughly will ensure the infection doesn’t set in. Men also use a penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) to protect the penis further. It includes vitamin A for bacterial defense, vitamin C for cell regeneration and a boost in blood flow, and L-carnitine to protect against nerve damage that results from penile trauma, compression, and friction. It’s a critical step of the healing process and should be used daily to preserve good results.