Penile Fracture: Don't panic, here's everything you need to know!

This can be a bit of a difficult, perhaps embarrassing topic to talk about. But it's something that many people are very aware of and should be aware of. Have you ever heard of a "penile fracture"? When you hear the name, it sounds like something like a broken arm or leg, right? But it's not. However, it is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention . So today, let's talk about this in a simple way that you can understand, without hiding anything.

What exactly is a penile fracture?

Simply put, a broken penis isn't really a 'break'. Because, you know, there's no bone in the penis. So how does it 'break'?

Imagine, this situation can occur if your penis is erect and you hit it hard or if it is suddenly bent in the wrong direction.

Let's take a look at the structure of the penis. Inside the penis, there are two types of tube-like tissues that fill with blood. These are called ``corpora cavernosa'' and ``corpus spongiosum''. During arousal, these tubes fill with blood, making the penis hard and erect. Around these tissues is a very strong, flexible, fibrous covering. It's like the strong rubber around a tire. In medical terms, this is called ``tunica albuginea''.

A penile fracture is a tear in the strong covering called the tunica albuginea, caused by a forceful bending during erection. When this covering is torn, the blood inside it suddenly leaks out into the surrounding tissues due to the pressure.

How serious is this situation?

This is a very serious situation.

Often, people avoid seeing doctors because they are embarrassed to talk about their condition. This can only make things worse. Therefore, it is important to put shame aside and think about your health.

What are the symptoms of this condition?

When a penis ruptures, the symptoms are often immediate and obvious. You may experience one or more of the following. Let's look at this to understand it more clearly.

How can a penis break?

There are several main reasons why this accident occurs. The majority of these are accidents that occur during sexual activity.

How does the doctor recognize this?

When you go to the hospital, the first thing the doctor will do is ask you about the incident. He or she will also perform a physical examination. In most cases, this condition can be easily diagnosed based on the description you give and the appearance of the penis (swelling, discoloration).

However, sometimes the doctor may recommend some tests to determine the exact severity of the injury, especially to see if there is any damage to the urethra.

• Ultrasound scan: This can help to see the location of the tear and the amount of blood that has accumulated.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan: This provides clearer images, helping to accurately assess the extent of the damage.
• Retrograde Urethrogram (RUG): This is a special X-ray that examines the urethra. This test is done if there is any suspicion that the urethra has been torn.

How is it treated? Is surgery necessary?

There is something we need to understand clearly here.

The surgery is usually performed by a urologist. The procedure involves stitching back the torn tunica albuginea. If there is damage to the urethra, it is also repaired during the surgery.

After a successful surgery, you have a very high chance of having normal vitality, urinating without pain, and ejaculating normally in the future.

Won't it get better without surgery?

Some minor injuries, that is, if the covering is not torn, like a bruise, can heal without surgery. In such cases, the doctor,

• Apply an ice pack.
• Painkillers `(NSAIDs)`
• Maybe insert a Foley catheter.

You can advise. But this is a decision that should be made by the doctor, not you. For a real rupture, surgery is the best and only solution.

What happens if left untreated?

It's not a good idea to just wait for this to get better. If you don't treat it, you could end up with a lot of long-term problems.

• Permanent Erectile Dysfunction: The inability to get or keep an erection hard enough for sexual intercourse.
• Penile Curvature: Scar tissue forms as the wound heals, and the penis may curve to one side as it heals. This can cause pain and make sexual intercourse difficult.
• Difficulty urinating: If the urethra is damaged and does not heal properly, the urethra can become narrow and make it difficult to urinate.
• Painful ejaculations: Pain may occur every time you ejaculate.

What happens after the surgery? When can I have sex again?

You can usually go home after the surgery. The doctor will give you instructions on how to care for the wound until it heals. He will also ask you to come back to the clinic to check if the wound is healing properly and if you have any problems urinating.

The most important thing is that you should not engage in any sexual activity (sexual intercourse or masturbation) for at least a month after surgery. You need to give the wound time to heal completely. Your doctor will tell you when it is best for you to have sex again.

The good news is that if treated in time, the chance of a full recovery from this condition is more than 90%.

Can an accident like this be prevented?

Although it cannot be completely prevented, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk.

• Do not bend the erect penis on purpose or do anything like that.
• As you age, your erections may become less firm. This can increase the risk of your penis bending during sex. If you feel that your erection is decreasing, talk to your doctor about it. If necessary, he or she can prescribe medications such as Sildenafil or Tadalafil, which increase blood flow to the penis.
• Be careful of these things when having sex:
• If the penis slips out when changing sexual positions or if it slips out, use manual control to reinsert it.
• Use lubricants to reduce friction.
• Be extra careful in positions where your partner is on top of you or behind you.

When should you definitely see a doctor?

This is the most important part. Let's clearly see what you need to do in the situations below.

Some people delay seeking treatment because they are embarrassed and embarrassed to talk about something like this. You may think, 'Just a little ice will do,' or 'A little rest will do.' But remember, pain is your body's way of telling you, 'There's a problem here, and you need help.' So, don't delay, and seek medical advice as soon as possible. It can prevent many long-term problems and protect your sexual health.