Milwaukee, WI (PRWEB) November 01, 2011

A recent study published in the October 2011 issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine points out that more than half of the penile injuries that were analyzed for the study occurred during an extramarital affair. In fact, MSNBC questions if penile fractures are as a result of bad karma of cheating husbands, but the researchers of the study have a more scientific explanation. As summarized in the abstract of the study, researchers believe that the unusual locations where most affairs take place, such as cars, public restrooms and elevators, may have something to do with the injury, as also the rushed and rough nature of these encounters. However, monogamy doesn’t make you fracture-proof. “If you’re having acrobatic sex…you do have to be careful,” Dr. Andrew Kramer, lead researcher of the study, informs MSNBC. “If you are doing something in a weird position or a weird situation…you do have to be careful of fracturing the penis.”

‘Broken’ Penis

According to Dr. Erik Castle, a urologist at Mayo Clinic, penile fracture occurs when an erect penis is bent suddenly or forcefully. This ruptures the tunica albuginea (the fibrous envelope of the two erectile cylinders responsible for erection), often accompanied by an audible cracking sound. The injury is painful and requires emergency medical attention. Other symptoms include bruising, swelling and complete loss of erection. Do not neglect the injury as it may lead to penile deformities and erectile dysfunction.

How Common Is It?

Many researchers believe that penile fractures are often underreported due to the embarrassment associated with them. “We don’t have any incidence data like that, but we know there are many case reports in the literature. I’ve seen dozens of cases (in 20 years of working as a physician). At the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Center here in Seattle, we see one or two cases per month,” says Dr. Hunter Wessells of the Urology department of University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle in the journal “Scientific American.” The condition is common in men who are in their 20s and 30s, he points out.

Treatment

Most cases of penile fracture require surgery. Anesthesia is administered and the skin of the penis is opened up to allow the edge of the tear to be sutured up. The number of stitches depends on the extent of tears. The whole procedure may take about an hour. The patient may be advised to avoid sex for a month or until the wound heals. Some doctors may also prescribe medications such as diethylstilbestrol to prevent early erections as they may lead to complications. Mild penile injuries may be treated with cold compressions, anti-inflammatory drugs and pressure dressing.

Penile fracture often leads to psychological and physical trauma. Surgery may reduce the complications associated with the condition, with over 90% of the patients subsequently having normal erections and pain-free intercourse.

The fracture is terrifying to most men. But if you end up in that situation, do not wait! Immediate treatment is the key.

If you are interested in keeping up with the latest men’s sexual health news and findings then visit us at PenileGuider.com where you can find a frequently-updated blog featuring interesting industry news and stories.

[References]:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44732993/ns/health-mens_health/

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=can-you-really-break-your

http://www.nature.com/nrurol/journal/v3/n3/full/ncpuro0433.html

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