Will the French Pole Vaulter Have Penis Problems? Understand!

The incident of the French pole vaulter at the Paris Olympics is still being discussed and draws attention to the risk of penile injuries. We will explain which situations are more likely to cause this type of accident, what the consequences are, and what you should do if this happens to you.

The image of Anthony Ammirati, the French pole vaulter who knocked over the bar with his genitals at the Paris Olympics, generated many memes.

But the matter is serious, because an impact like this can injure the penis and result in penile fibrosis, a condition that can cause difficulty in having or maintaining an erection, pain during erection or sexual intercourse, and penile deformity in severe cases.

Penile injuries can compromise a man’s physical and psychological health, requiring medical intervention. Therefore, keep reading to find out if the athlete is at risk of injury and what to do if the same happens to you.

Will the French pole vaulter have penis problems?

Considering the athlete’s body weight, the severity, and the speed of the impact, we can say that there is indeed a possibility of a penile injury for French athlete Anthony Ammirati.

However, the fact that the athlete was not erect at the time of the incident reduces the risk of problems. Now, if he had been erect, the situation would be different because the penis is more susceptible to injury when it is rigid, as the increased blood flow to the penis makes the vessels and tissues in the region more sensitive.

Consequences of blows to the penis

Blows to the penis, like the one suffered by the French pole vaulter, can leave the penis swollen and painful immediately after the impact.

It can also lead to the rupture of the tunica albuginea, a 1-millimeter membrane that surrounds the corpora cavernosa and is responsible for erections. This is more serious, and men who experience this usually hear a crack, feel pain, notice a bruise, and experience a sudden loss of erection.

Bruising

The penis becomes bruised (purple) after a blow because the tunica albuginea suffered a sudden and strong impact, spreading the blood with high pressure.

Formation of fibroses

Fibrosis is a scar, and fibroses in the penis result from the accumulation of fibrous tissue composed of collagen and protein in the tunica albuginea.

The tunica albuginea is a thin membrane, and the fibrous tissue is like a patch that limits the elasticity of the tunica albuginea. It’s like placing a patch on a birthday balloon and trying to inflate it. You won’t be able to because the patch limited the expansion.

Fibrosis deforms the erect penis because the tunica albuginea has lost the elasticity needed for the penis to become rigid and straight. The organ will curve toward the side where the tunica loses elasticity. In this case, the fibrosis is superficial.

Thinning, retraction, and penile curvature

These conditions arise according to the type of fibrosis. Check it out:

Deep fibrosis: reduction and thinning of the penis due to the loss of elasticity around the circumference of the tunica albuginea. The organ cannot remain in a vertical position, and therefore, it loses penetrative capacity;
Localized fibrosis: when the fibrosis is localized in a single point of the organ, it may cause curvature or thinning, whether at the base, middle, or tip.
Diffuse fibrosis: fibroses in two or more points, causing curvature and thinning in various areas of the penis.

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction in cases of blows to the penis may be temporary, subsiding after recovery from the trauma, or permanent.

This difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection is because the fibrous tissue affects the corpora cavernosa, the structure responsible for erections. Erectile problems after impacts on the genitals may also occur because the blood vessels have been damaged.

Besides sports, what else can cause penile trauma?

Penile trauma can occur during sports, as in the case of the French pole vaulter.

But many injuries happen during sexual intercourse. Abrupt movements hit the tunica albuginea, and the blood contained in the corpora cavernosa ruptures the tunica, causing penile fracture. It’s like a tire bursting.

The organ can also be injured in two other ways:

During an erection with the penis inside the underwear, especially if the clothing is too tight;
While sleeping: during nocturnal erections, a man may lie on his stomach, and the weight of his body against the mattress can injure the penis.

What to do in cases of penile injuries?

The first step is to self-examine to check for a lump or bruise, and then:

apply an ice pack, and then;
go to an emergency room with a urological team on duty.

Treatments after early diagnosis

If there is a lump, the doctor may perform a needle aspiration guided by ultrasound. Treatment for minor injuries continues with painkillers and physical therapy.

When is surgery recommended?

Surgery is recommended when the curvature is severe. In the procedure, the doctor will suture the ruptured area.

After the repair surgery, fibroses (scars) can form as part of the post-trauma healing process. These fibroses carry the risk of causing deformities such as curvature, thinning, reduction in size, and loss of vertical rigidity.

In such cases, a new surgery may be indicated, such as tissue expansion, which uses geometric principles, a concept developed by Dr. Paulo Egydio, to try to restore size, thickness, and firmness, depending on the specific case.

That’s why it’s so important to seek specialized help immediately after penile trauma or any other abnormality.

Conclusion

Blows to the penis, such as the one suffered by the French pole vaulter, can be mild or severe. In the first case, the penis becomes swollen and bruised. In the second, there is a risk of deformities such as curvature, thinning, or reduction in size.

When there are anatomical changes, surgery may be necessary. And this post-trauma surgery can result in penile fibroses, which may possibly require a second surgery.

One way to seek guidance on possible solutions for penile trauma is to perform a pre-analysis with Dr. Paulo, who can provide personalized guidance based on your case.

Did the French Pole Vaulter Suffer a Penile Fracture? Understand the Risks and Possible Consequences

Will the French pole vaulter have penis problems?