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Can a penis break? Yes. A penis can indeed “break”, but probably not how you think. Think of a break as more of a rupture. It’s a condition known as a penile fracture, and it is a bonafide (pun intended) emergency in the world of urology.
If your penis makes a bone-chilling “snap” or “pop”, accompanied by excruciating pain, it’s imperative to drop everything and get immediate medical help.
Curious to know more? In this article, we’re diving deep into the murky depths of penile perils in which I hope to teach some facts and disprove some myths.
Do Penises Have Bones?
Nope. While many of our primate brethren, such as chimpanzees and bonobos, boast a penis bone, called the baculum, human beings don’t have this bone.
The baculum, a Greek term translated as ‘stick’ or ‘staff,’ offers evolutionary advantages like longer mating periods, maintaining vaginal penetration, and even intimidating competition.
Why don’t humans have an actual bone down there? One theory is that the evolutionary loss of the baculum in humans is due to our unique mating behaviors, having developed more complex social interactions and having shorter sexual encounters.
These shorter sexual interactions lead to the average erection time for men decreasing over time.
How Do Erections Work?
Think of the penis as a hydraulic system, a pumping of fluids into different chambers (in this case blood).
The penis consists of three main players: the urethra, the corpus spongiosum (the tip of the penis), and the corpus cavernosa (two sponge-like tissues flanking the urethra).
When things get steamy and an erection kicks in, blood rushes into these tissues faster causing them to fill up and stand at attention…literally. Most men would call this a boner.
An erection is biology’s mic drop—a sequence of events facilitated by the nervous system and defined by the flow of blood. It’s like having an inflatable pool toy without any internal structure: it works, but there’s still potential for mishap.
How Can a Penis Break?
When a penis “breaks”, it’s called a penile fracture (I’m already squirming..). A penile fracture typically occurs when an erect penis slams forcefully into an unforgiving object. It could be a misplaced knee during a heated sexual encounter or some other blunt force trauma.
There is no “bone” that is actually breaking. In medical terms, a penile fracture occurs when the tunica albuginea, the tough fibrous layer that surrounds the erectile tissue, tears or ruptures.
Blunt force trauma to the testicles can also lead to tearing and bleeding within the inner connective tissue layers.
How To Identify a Penile Fracture
If your penis starts to resemble the shape of an eggplant, accompanied by a few other signs (see below), you might have a problem.
That could be signs of a penile fracture. If so, it’s a medical emergency and you should go directly to a doctor.
If you’re unsure you’ve fractured your penis, here are some telltale signs to keep an eye out for (in bullet points, explain each bullet point):
Sudden and Severe Pain
If you experience any severe pain after colliding with something or receiving any type of blunt force to your penis, it might be an indication that something is wrong down there.
Audible Crack or Popping Sound
Fracturing your penis can sometimes be accompanied by an audible crack or popping sound, which is definitely not a sound you want to hear in the bedroom.
It’s like breaking a glow stick, without the fun glowy part.
Immediate Swelling and Discoloration
Fracturing your penis doesn’t just leave you in pain, it also likes to make its presence known visually.
If you notice an immediate swelling and discoloration in your nether regions, resembling a scene from a Picasso painting, it’s a good sign that you might be dealing with a fractured member.
Bent or Misshapen Appearance
If you notice a bent or misshapen appearance in your little buddy, resembling a pretzel gone wrong, it’s a strong indication that a fracture might have occurred.
Difficulty Urinating or Blood in Urine
If you’re suddenly experiencing difficulties or pain while urinating, or even worse, discovering some red liquid gold in your urine, it’s yet another sign that your brave soldier might have met a cracked fate.
So, if any of these signs are present, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.
What Happens After a Penile Fracture?
Quick medical attention can make all the difference. In that way, it’s very much like breaking a bone. If you delay treating it, you’ll pay the consequences later.
Penile fractures can lead to all sorts of unwanted changes, like alterations in size and shape or difficulties maintaining an erection. You could also be stuck with an unwanted curvature (aka Peyronie’s disease).
And difficulties may arise in the peeing department, getting an erection, masturbating and even reproducing.
How Do Penile Fractures Happen?
Different sexual activities carry varying levels of penile fracture risk. It’s safe to say, those that enjoy more “aggressive” sexual positions or activity are more likely to have an injury of this kind.
One medical study revealed that for heterosexual couples, 57% of penile fractures happened during sexual intercourse. And most injuries occur during enthusiastic thrusting sessions (41.1% to be exact) or unfortunate “misfirings” (35.3%) into the perineum or pubic bone.
And, get this, almost 25% occur during solo or partner masturbation! Ouch.
Another study revealed that 8.2% of cases attributed to the seemingly harmless act of rolling over in bed onto an erection. Ouch.
How to Prevent Penile Fractures
Like anything, you just need to be mindful and aware of what you’re doing.
Having sex in unconventional settings like cars, elevators, bathrooms, or offices – all these can increase the odds of a penile fracture.
And certain sex positions are known to be riskier than others. Doggystyle and reverse cowgirl have been identified as higher-risk contenders, scoring top spots on the “Fracture-Friendly” positions list.
Penile Fractures In Other Cultures
Did you know that in certain Kurdish cultures, a practice known as ‘penis cracking,’ or taqaandan, is popular?
This rather extreme technique involves intentionally bending the shaft of an erect penis until it reaches an unfortunate breaking point – all in an effort to halt an unwanted erection. Talk about extreme measures.
This is comparable to cracking your knuckles, with an alarming potential for penile fractures. So, while it’s crucial to respect cultural differences, one can’t help but think, “maybe some traditions are better left unpracticed.”
Final Thoughts
Can you break your penis? Yep. But it’s very rare and probably not something you should worry about.
If anything, the possibility of a penile fracture should make us all a bit more cautious and mindful during sex. After all, slowing things down during sex is never a bad thing.
FAQ
Yes, a penile fracture, which is a tear or rupture of the tunica albuginea, can occur. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
Erections occur when blood rushes into the corpus spongiosum and corpus cavernosa, causing them to fill up and become erect.
A penile fracture typically occurs when an erect penis forcefully impacts an object or experiences blunt force trauma.
Signs of a penile fracture may include sudden and severe pain, an audible crack or popping sound, immediate swelling and discoloration, a bent or misshapen appearance, and difficulty urinating or blood in urine.
If not treated promptly, a penile fracture can lead to changes in size and shape, difficulties with urination, erections, masturbating, and reproduction.
Most penile fractures occur during sexual intercourse, particularly during enthusiastic thrusting or misfirings into the perineum or pubic bone. They can also happen during masturbation or even when rolling over onto an erection.
Being mindful of sexual activities, avoiding unconventional settings, and being cautious with certain sex positions can help prevent penile fractures.
