Health2 min(s) read
Published 09:01 25 Apr 2026 GMT
The thought of breaking one’s penis will make men reach instinctively for their crotch, wincing with sensory empathy, so Brazilian researchers have taken it upon themselves to review which sex position is most likely to result in a trip to A&E with an injured shaft.
A study by the University of Campinas has highlighted which sexual positions may carry a higher risk of penile fracture, sometimes described colloquially as “breaking the penis”, based on patient data collected over more than a decade.
Researchers analysed 44 suspected cases, confirming 42 of them (95.4%), with patients averaging 34.5 years old and followed for several years afterward.
The injury, while uncommon, is known to cause considerable distress and can lead to complications if not treated quickly. The study notes that many patients experience a classic set of symptoms, including an audible crack, sudden loss of erection, and serious pain.
Looking at the causes, the researchers found that heterosexual intercourse was responsible for most cases (66.7%), followed by penile manipulation (14.3%) and homosexual intercourse (9.5%).
Among heterosexual encounters, “woman on top” was identified as the most frequently associated position, accounting for half of those cases. The study concludes: “Woman on top” was the potentially riskiest sexual position (50%). The next most common was “doggy style,” which made up 28.6% of cases.
The researchers suggest that certain dynamics in these positions may increase the likelihood of injury, particularly when movement is less controlled. However, they also emphasised that prompt medical treatment significantly reduces long-term complications. According to the findings: “Immediate surgical treatment warrants long-term very low morbidity.”
The study also examined outcomes after treatment. A small number of patients experienced complications such as urethral injury (14.3%) or erectile dysfunction (4.8%), but overall, long-term issues like pain, deformity, or urinary problems were rare.
In the introduction, the researchers noted that penile fracture is “a relatively uncommon clinical condition” that can cause embarrassment, sometimes delaying patients from seeking help. This delay, they warned, “can lead to an impairment of sexual and voiding functions.”
