A penile fracture usually occurs when an erect penis experiences blunt force, trauma, or bending. It’s a medical emergency, but prompt surgery can typically help prevent complications.

A penile fracture refers to a tear in the tunica albuginea, which is the rubbery sheath of tissue below the skin that allows the penis to increase in width and length to produce a firm erection.

This injury typically only affects an erect penis, which is when it’s filled with blood and hard or firm.

There’s no bone in the penis, so the injury isn’t technically a fracture. But healthcare professionals may still use the term “fracture” due to the popping noise that occurs when an erect penis becomes injured.

Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of a penile fracture, and when to see a doctor.

A penile fracture occurs due to sudden, blunt trauma or bending of an erect penis that breaks the tunica albuginea. Sometimes, the corpus cavernosum, which is beneath the tunica albuginea, also ruptures.

This injury most commonly occurs during penis-in-vagina or penis-in-anus sex, when the penis may forcefully hit the pelvic bone, perineum, or the sides of the vagina or anus accidentally.

Many sex positions and practices can increase the risk of penile injury. For instance, injury may occur in doggy style (rear-end) positions if there’s excessive force on the penis when it’s inserted in the vagina or anus, or in positions when the person on top, or dominant position, shifts their weight.

Other possible causes of penile fracture include:

  • falling or being in an accident, such as a car crash or during contact sports
  • rolling over during sleep
  • masturbating
  • forcefully bending an erect penis down

The most common symptom of a penile fracture is sudden, severe pain. This may be accompanied by an audible snapping or popping sound, which is when the tunica albuginea tears.

After this, you will quickly lose your erection, and the penis will become soft. You may also experience:

  • severe pain following the injury
  • dark bruising above the injured area
  • bent penis
  • blood leaking from the penis
  • difficulty urinating

Sometimes, the corpora spongiosum may also rupture. This is the spongy erectile tissue along the bottom of the penis, beneath the tunica albuginea, that fills with blood when you’re sexually aroused to produce an erection.

A penile fracture may also injure the urethra, which is the channel in the penis that urine flows through.

According to a 2015 study, around 20% of penile fractures affect the urethra, and 30% involve the corpora spongiosum.

Get emergency medical help

Penile fractures are a relatively uncommon injury, but they’re a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment to prevent long-term urinary and sexual complications.

If it happens, get to a hospital as soon as possible. Prompt treatment can help prevent complications and permanent damage.

A urologist can usually diagnose a penile fracture by visually examining your penis and discussing the injury with you.

In some cases, they may order imaging tests if they can’t make a clear diagnosis or believe the urethra may be damaged. These tests may include:

In most cases, penile fractures require prompt surgery to help restore or maintain your ability to have erections and preserve urinary function.

A surgeon will first make an incision to access the inside of the penis. This is usually done by cutting around the circumference so the penis skin can be degloved, but sometimes it’s made linearly along the length of the penis.

The surgeon will then clear the hematoma and use stitches to close the tear in the tunica albuginea and corpus cavernosum. You may also need to have a urinary catheter in place for 1 to 2 days. If the urethra is damaged, you may need the catheter for up to 2 weeks.

After surgery, you will typically stay in the hospital for around 3 days. A doctor will likely prescribe pain relievers and antibiotics. Take your medication as directed by your doctor.

Over the course of the next few weeks, you can expect:

  • 1 to 2 weeks: swelling and pain slowly decrease
  • 2 to 4 weeks: resume light activity, avoid sexual activity
  • 6+ weeks: most people can resume sexual activity, but full healing can take up to 6 months

During this time, you’ll also require follow-up exams and possibly imaging studies to:

  • check on the progress of healing
  • examine the veins and arteries in the penis
  • assess blood flow

In most cases, people who receive prompt surgical treatment will regain full sexual and urological function of their penis after recovering from surgery.

Sometimes, however, a penile fracture may lead to erectile dysfunction (ED), which is the difficulty in having or maintaining an erection that’s hard enough for sexual intercourse.

Other possible complications of penile fracture and surgery include:

Along with physical complications, you may also experience anxiety regarding sexual performance or whether you’ll experience another injury. If this occurs, consider speaking with a licensed therapist.

Healthcare professionals recommend waiting a minimum of 6 weeks after penile fracture surgery before engaging in sexual activities, but healing may take much longer. It’s best to speak with a doctor about how your penis is healing before having sex to prevent further injury.

No, in most cases, a penile fracture requires surgery. Some people decide not to get surgery, but this greatly increases the risk of developing complications, such as scarring and permanent damage.

No, in most cases, a penile fracture causes sudden, severe pain that is accompanied by a loud snapping or popping sound. It may also cause bruising, discoloration, and swelling.

No, you’ll likely be unable to get an erection if you have a penile fracture because it affects the tunica albuginea, which allows your penis to increase in size and length when you’re aroused.

Make sure there’s adequate lubrication during intercourse, and be careful during vigorous or “hard” penetrative intercourse.

Also, avoid trying to force your erect penis into tight underwear or rolling over on an erection in bed. Any sudden force exerted on an erect penis could cause injury, major or minor.

A penile fracture occurs when the tunica albuginea of the penis tears. It’s often due to blunt, forceful trauma during sexual intercourse.

If you think you’ve fractured your penis, it’s important to get immediate medical attention. Prompt treatment can significantly reduce the risk of long-term complications.