Penis fracture: Is this possible?

Can you fracture your penis?

- Dennis / Pennsylvania

Answer

A penis fracture can occur when there is trauma to the erect penis, resulting in rupture of the lining of the cylinder (corpus cavernosum) in the penis that becomes engorged with blood during an erection. This very painful injury is often accompanied by an audible cracking sound, followed immediately by dark bruising of the penis due to blood escaping the cylinder. In 10 percent to 30 percent of penis fractures, the urethra is damaged and blood may be visible at the urinary opening of the penis.

A fractured penis requires urgent medical attention. Prompt surgical repair of a penis fracture is usually successful. If untreated, the injury may result in deformity of the penis or the inability to have or maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction).