Men don’t have a bone in the penis, but many mammals, like primates, have the baculum, a bone that helps maintain erection and facilitate reproduction. With human evolution, this penile bone disappeared, but the penis can still fracture. Discover how this happens and recommended treatments.
There is a common question: does the penis have a bone? The answer is no. However, humans are an exception among mammals, as many of them have the baculum, a bone that helps maintain erections and assists in copulation.
The reason some animals have this bone is literally to trap the female so she doesn’t escape and mate with another male before being fertilized.
But why don’t men have a bone in the penis? Let’s explain this and also talk about how the penis can fracture even without a bone structure.
Why do some animals have a bone in the penis and humans don’t?
First, let’s explain what the penile bone is. The baculum is extra-skeletal, meaning it’s not connected to the rest of the skeleton, and it appeared in mammals between 145 and 95 million years ago, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
There are two theories about the purpose of the baculum. The first suggests that it stimulates the females of some primates and rodents. In this sense, female cats ovulate only when they are mating, and the penile bone would enhance stimulation, ensuring that the female becomes pregnant.
Another theory is that it prolongs penetration time, increasing the time for sperm transfer, thus enhancing the chances of fertilization.
Humans lost this bone approximately 1.9 million years ago when monogamy became the standard. In this context, reproduction became a couple’s choice, so humans lost the baculum because the competition to see which man had greater reproductive power ceased to exist.
So how does an erection work if the penis has no bone?
An erection occurs when a psychological or physical stimulus activates areas of the brain linked to sexual desire, like the temporal cortex, which processes sexual stimuli.
Nitric oxide dilates the blood vessels, increasing blood flow, causing the penis to enlarge and become rigid. The erection is maintained as long as there are stimuli.
Can the penis fracture or break?
The penis cannot break, but it can fracture, most commonly during sexual intercourse when the penis slips out, and the man misses the target when attempting to reinsert.
This impact tears the tunica albuginea, the structure that maintains blood flow for penile rigidity. An erection weakens the tunica albuginea because its thickness is reduced by nearly 90%, making it overly stretched.
When trauma occurs, the signs include swelling and significant pain, as well as bruising. The penile curvature is immediate, and this medical emergency significantly affects men’s health.
What can cause penile fractures?
Besides sexual activity, penile fractures can happen during sports. A situation like that experienced by the French pole vaulter at the Paris Olympics, where the athlete’s penis hit the bar, can easily injure the organ.
A penile fracture can even occur while sleeping. During night erections, a man might lie face down, and a sudden movement can injure the penis.
What are the signs that the penis has fractured?
Men often hear a popping sound, followed by intense pain. The penis turns purple, and the rigidity disappears immediately. In rare, extreme cases, the urethra can be injured.
Recommended treatments for fractures
If the incident occurs, the primary recommendation is to seek medical attention immediately. In mild cases, applying ice can help relieve discomfort temporarily until professional treatment is provided.
However, this ice pack is only for immediate relief after the incident. It is crucial that the man goes to the emergency room right away.
Treatments for penile fractures vary depending on the severity:
- In mild cases, the doctor may drain any nodules with an ultrasound-guided needle and prescribe pain relievers and physical therapy.
- In severe fractures, surgery is the most recommended procedure. In this surgery, the doctor sutures the ruptured area to repair it.
However, after the repair procedure, the penis may develop fibrosis, scars that cause severe curvature, thinning, shortening, and may even prevent the vertical rigidity necessary for penetration.
This fibrosis can, in some cases, require a second surgery, such as the technique involving geometrical principles developed by Dr. Paulo Egydio. However, the appropriate treatment choice depends on an individualized medical evaluation.
How to prevent penile injuries
Some precautions are important to prevent penile fractures. Check them out:
- Adequate lubrication and condoms: Using water-based lubricants and condoms that fit the penis properly help reduce friction, preventing irritation and micro-injuries;
- Avoid sudden movements: If the penis slips out during sudden movements, reinsertion can be dangerous;
- Protective equipment for sports: Men who practice football, rugby, cycling, boxing, martial arts, extreme sports, and athletics, like pole vaulting, need to use items to protect the genital area.
The penis doesn’t have a bone, but penile fractures are a medical emergency that can occur during sexual activity or sports. Mild cases can be treated with pain relievers and physical therapy, while severe cases require surgery.
If you have questions about penile health, subscribe to Dr. Paulo Egydio’s WhatsApp channel and receive reliable tips on men’s health.
