Published on: 6/20/2025
What exactly happens during a penile fracture?
A penile fracture happens when the penis is injured during an erection, causing a tear in the tissue that helps it stay hard.
Explanation
During a penile fracture, the penis gets hurt while it is erect, usually from bending too much. This causes a tear in the tunica albuginea, the tissue that helps the penis stay firm.
What Happens:
- Injury: The penis is often bent suddenly during activities like intercourse.
- Tear: The tunica albuginea, a tough tissue around the spongy part of the penis, tears.
- Symptoms: You might hear a popping sensation, feel pain, and notice swelling and bruising.
Treatment:
- Surgery: Doctors often need to fix the tear with surgery to prevent problems later.
- Recovery: It is important to see a doctor quickly to avoid long-term issues with erections.
Penile fractures can also sometimes involve damage to the urethra, the tube that carries urine, which can cause bleeding from the penis.
(References)
- Ateyah A, Mostafa T, Nasser TA, Shaeer O, Hadi AA, & Al-Gabbar MA. (2008). Penile fracture: surgical repair and late effects on erectile .... The journal of sexual medicine, 18266649.
- El-Taher AM, Aboul-Ella HA, Sayed MA, & Gaafar AA. (2004). Management of penile fracture. The Journal of trauma, 15179260.
- Krishnani H, Anjankar A, Kakar G, Sharma S, & Kumar A. (2022). Penile Fracture With Urethral Bleeding: A Urological .... Cureus, 36523731.
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