No – penile fracture is not a joking term and like any other fracture it can be life threatening. When can it happen? A penile fracture can only occur during an erection. During sexual arousal, the cavernous bodies of the organ (corpus cavernosum) are filled with blood, which leads to its enlargement. These bodies are covered by the so-called white covering – tunica albuginea. As the penis grows, this covering stretches to cover the corpora cavernosa, both lengthwise and widthwise – this causes it to thin. In this thinned state, with too much pressure or pressure at a great angle, the integument can tear, leading to internal bleeding. The laceration is usually at the base of the penis and is extremely painful – the victim may even go into life-threatening shock or lose consciousness from the pain. Although there are no bones in the penis, doctors call this trauma a fracture or break. Often, the trauma is accompanied by a perceptible sound, such as a loud snapping of fingers. Rapid swelling of the affected area followed, and the color of the surrounding tissue may take on a strong purple hue. The erection usually subsides quickly and an agonizing pain occurs, often accompanied by an inability to urinate. Young men are most at risk of this condition, due to the hardness of the penis when aroused and the athletic skills they often try to demonstrate. Some sexual positions are more dangerous, such as when the man’s partner is “on top” – if he leans too quickly in an unexpected direction it can cause a sudden strain, with great force and at a great angle – a fracture is a very real possibility in this case. According to research published in the British Journal of Urology International, the riskiest positions involve lateral vaginal penetration, where the penis is most likely to bend too strongly at its base. Between 2003 and 2007, these types of sexual positions accounted for over 50% of penile fractures in Europe. The study repeatedly mentions the position known as “reverse cowgirl” as the second most prone to fracture. NEWS_MORE_BOX Rushing penetration is also dangerous for young sexual athletes – if not guided by the hand of one or the other participant, a stronger thrust can hit the nearby pubic bone (os pubis), leading to the same complications. The fracture can also occur outside of intercourse. Men trying to hide a spontaneous erection in pants that are too tight is the rarest, but still present threat. The victims are most horrified, however, when this happens to them during sleep. Doctors say that up to 10% of injuries occur when, with a nocturnal erection, a man turns on his stomach while sleeping and suddenly wakes up from pain – then medical advice is less often sought. In any of these situations and the aforementioned symptoms, immediate medical attention should be sought!With the help of a urethrogram or a scanner, it can be determined whether there is a tear in the covering, how serious it is, whether the urethra is affected, etc. With surgery, the tissue can be repaired and full sexual function restored within 3 months. If you wait more than three days before medical intervention, the consequences can be extremely serious.