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So while passion in the bedroom is healthy, experts say a bit of caution and communication can go a long way in preventing serious mishaps
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‘Most Dangerous Sex Position’ Linked to Alarming Number of Injuries, Say Experts
It might be an awkward topic for some, but doctors are sounding the alarm on one sex position that’s been linked to a surprising number of painful and serious injuries.
According to NHS surgeon Dr. Karan Raj, the reverse cowgirl — where the woman is on top but facing away from her partner — could be responsible for nearly half of all penile fractures. It’s an injury that, while rare, can leave men in severe pain and often requires emergency surgery.
Though the penis doesn’t have bones, it does contain internal tissue that fills with blood during an erection. When subjected to sudden or forceful impact, this tissue can rupture — a condition colloquially and somewhat gruesomely known as a "penile fracture."
The injury is often marked by a loud cracking or popping sound, immediate pain, and rapid swelling. Dr. Raj described the aftermath as resembling a “purple, enlarged aubergine.”
In a TikTok video shared with his 5.3 million followers, Dr. Raj explained:
“If there is any erratic thrusting, or if the movements of both partners aren’t in sync, the penis can slip out and be crushed by the partner’s pubic bone. Over-enthusiastic sex can literally leave your penis looking like an aubergine.”
NHS figures from 2023–2024 show that 162 men required surgery to treat a penile fracture, with the average patient aged 44 — although some were in their late 70s.
A 2015 study from Brazil supports Dr. Raj’s warning, finding that positions with the woman on top accounted for around 50% of penile fractures, followed by doggy-style at 29%. The safest position, according to the same research, was the missionary (man-on-top).
Sex and relationship expert Annabelle Knight told LadBible: “The reverse cowgirl can be risky, especially if things get too vigorous. If the penis slips out and is accidentally landed on, injury can occur.
But as long as you and your partner maintain open communication, take your time, and stay in sync, it can still be a pleasurable position without too much risk.”
However, more recent research suggests the reverse cowgirl may not be the biggest culprit. A 2024 study from East Asia involving nearly 500 men found that positions where the man is on top actually led to the most penile fractures.
READ MORE HERE: Most dangerous sex position
Researchers theorized that these injuries are often due to highly vigorous movements during male-dominant sex, which can lead to trauma if the penis accidentally strikes the partner’s pelvis or perineum.
Here’s how it happens: during an erection, two sponge-like tubes in the penis called the corpora cavernosa fill with blood. These are surrounded by a tough fibrous sheath called the tunica albuginea. A fracture occurs when this sheath ruptures due to blunt force.
Common signs include a cracking or popping sound, intense pain, immediate loss of erection, and rapid bruising or swelling. Though the injury can be deeply embarrassing, delaying treatment can worsen outcomes. Left untreated, penile fractures can lead to complications like erectile dysfunction, curvature of the penis (Peyronie’s disease), and pain during future erections.
Treatment usually involves surgery to stitch the tunica albuginea back together and repair any additional damage, such as to the urethra, the tube that carries urine.
So while passion in the bedroom is healthy, experts say a bit of caution and communication can go a long way in preventing serious mishaps.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL
