Bend, but Don’t Break

Spurred by a recent cringe-worthy case report in the New England Journal of Medicine, we sought to illuminate the mystery surrounding penile fracture.  While most men believe a “broken penis”, is mere science fiction and cannot actually occur in real life, think again boys!  This unfortunate incident does not just live in the realm of movies and nightmares.

In the recent case report, clinicians recounted the case of a 42 year old man from Boston who was rushed to the emergency room for emergency repair after “breaking his penis” during sex. This accident occurred when the man’s penis hit his partner’s perineum.  The perineum is the space between the vagina and the anus.

A penile fracture, as detailed in the case study, is a rupture or breaking of the outer tissue of the penis.  This so-called “fracture” is caused by blunt force to the penis while erect.   As this tissue tears, the blood in the penile region leaks out into the surrounding tissues and leads to bruising and swelling.  Penile fracture is typically accompanied by significant pain, immediate loss of erection, and a popping sound. 

You are thinking, sure – this might be possible, but my chances are slim to none.  Yet another misconception of penile fracture, chances are more than one in a million.  According to a second study in Advances in Urology – it is one of the most common sex injuries among young men (20’s - 30s) who tend to engage in more strenuous sex. 

On the upside, these breaks can certainly be treated under general anesthesia, where the injury is identified and stitched up.  Although full recovery is possible, some common side effects include erectile dysfunction, the formation of scar tissue forming in the penis, and damage to genital nerves.  Because delay in treatment is associated with a higher complication rate, men who experience this trauma should seek medical attention immediately.