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.

Dispelling the Myths about Penile Fracture

It’s the fear that lurks in the back of every man’s mind: The painful problem of penile fracture. Horror stories abound of men who were simply enjoying a little bit of sexual congress with a partner only to suddenly find themselves in agony, thinking only of how long it will take to get to the emergency room. Most penis problems can be eased with good penis care, but a penile fracture is an entirely different beast - it happens quickly, without warning, and must be addressed immediately to avoid long-term damage.

But how does penile fracture happen, considering that there is actually no bone in the penis? And does it mean that a man’s sexual life is over for good? Here are some of the myths about penile fracture and the truth about the matter.

1) Penile fracture only happens to younger men . Though younger men might be more at risk for penile fracture because they might be more adventurous in bed, don’t rule out the risk for older men as well. Penile fractures can happen to anyone, no matter their age. It has nothing to do with the age of a man, but rather, the angle at which the penis pushes against something unyielding, like a pelvic bone.

2) Penile fracture always brings immediate pain. Not necessarily. Though many penile fractures are severe enough to cause instantaneous pain, some are mild enough that they don’t lead to pain within seconds - rather, a man will feel discomfort that gets worse and worse. If a man is in severe pain an hour later, he shouldn’t discount the possibility of a penile fracture. It’s also important to remember that while some penile fractures can happen with a loud ‘popping’ sound, sometimes that sound is not present or isn’t noticed in the heat of the moment.

3) Penile fracture requires surgery. This is true, unfortunately. It’s because of where the fracture usually occurs. Obviously there is no bone in the penis; however, the penis gets hard through blood flow into the corpora cavernosa, two spongy areas of tissue on either side of the penis. The membrane surrounding these areas is called the tunica albuginea. It’s that membrane that breaks during a penile fracture. In order to fix the problem, a physician will make an incision in the penis to repair the membrane.

4) It only occurs in the woman on top position. Though this is the most common way a penile fracture occurs, the truth is that the fractures can happen in a variety of situations. They can even occur when a man is vigorously masturbating and his hand happens to land the wrong way around the shaft! Of course, it can also happen as the result of trauma, such as during contact sports.

5) A penile fracture will never heal properly. Fractures can heal well as long as a man gets immediate attention. However, he might be at risk for Peyronie’s disease, where the penis bends at an extreme angle. That’s why it’s so important to not only get immediate care, but also to keep up with all follow-up care recommended by the surgeon or physician.

As a man’s penis is healing from penile fracture - or as he is dealing with any other penis problems - he needs all the help he can get. That means a man should reach for a daily penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . He should look for a crème that includes a wealth of vitamins and nutrients designed for healthy skin and healing, such as vitamin D and C for skin care, vitamin A for bacteria fighting and Shea butter for the smoothest, most supple skin imaginable. A guy should also look for amino acids like L-arginine for better blood flow and L-carnitine to help protect the delicate nerve endings of the penis.