From the potential for unwanted pregnancy in a post-Roe world to accidentally hooking up with someone who says stuff like, “Just playing devil’s advocate,” sex can be, shall we say, risky business. But while you may be familiar with some of the more common risks and how to mitigate them (condoms, regular STI testing, birth control, etc.), there’s one possible sex hazard that may not be top of mind when you’re prepping for your next sesh: a broken penis.
Yep. Unfortunately, you can, in fact, break a penis (yours or a partner’s) during sex. Which is why TikTok-famous doctor Karan Rajan, MD, an NHS surgeon, has declared reverse cowgirl the world’s most dangerous sex position in a viral video, claiming that riding in reverse is responsible for 50 percent of penile fractures.
@dr.karanr Sun snu #learnontiktok #schoolwithdrkaran #womenshealth #menshealth ? Runaway by Kanye Piano - Henry Cantu
While broken boners may sound like fake news, you really can fracture a penis—it just means something a little different than, say, a broken arm. (Because, ICYMI, there are no actual bones in a boner.)
"'Penis fracture’ happens when an erect penis is subjected to forceful bending or trauma," explains Elizabeth Swenson, MD, an OB/GYN at Wisp. “This can rupture the tunica albuginea, a thick membrane surrounding the erectile tissues. Immediate symptoms can include a cracking sound, severe pain, bruising, and swelling.”
You read that right: a “cracking sound.” (*Shudders*)
Doctors agree that the reverse cowgirl position (where the receiving partner is on top, facing away from the penetrating partner) is indeed more likely than others to fracture a penis. While it’s rare (Dr. Swenson says penile fractures occur in roughly 1 in 175,000 encounters), it does happen.
"Certain positions, like reverse cowgirl, can pose risks if not performed with care. The danger lies in the potential for abrupt or awkward movements, which can lead to penile fracture," says Laurence Levine, MD, board-certified urologist and Chief Medical Officer at Promescent. Basically, because the person on top can’t see what they’re doing in this position, it’s easier for partners to get out of sync. The penis can then slip out without the riding partner noticing and get crushed. (Ouch.)
Such harsh movements can not only tear the tunica albuginea but, according to Dr. Levine, can trigger Peyronie's disease, a disorder of wound healing that can cause deformity to the penis, which may consist of curvature, indentation, and/or shortening.
Clearly none of this is ideal, and if you have a penis, you're likely protectively holding your junk as you read this. But fear not! There’s no need to strike reverse cowgirl from your sexual repertoire. There are ways to play in this position safely and minimize your risk of winding up in a Sex Sent Me to the ER-coded nightmare. Read on for our must-know, expert-approved tips to enjoy the wild ride that is reverse cowgirl, without breaking any dicks.
First of all, why is reverse cowgirl so hot?
In addition to the whole risk-of-breaking-a-penis thing, it’s no secret that reverse cowgirl can be one of the more physically demanding sex positions—particularly for the partner on top. But while getting a leg workout while enjoying a view of your partner’s feet may not sound super sexy to some, there are plenty of reasons people are into throwing it back in reverse. (And, ahem, there are also plenty of ways to modify this position to make it more comfortable/pleasurable for everyone involved.)
“This position can be enjoyable for the partner with a vulva due to the angle of penetration and ease of clitoral stimulation (with hands, a toy, or even by leaning forward),” says sex coach Sophia Murphy, director of wellness at TBD Health.
And, JFYI, you don’t have to have a vag to ride in reverse cowgirl. There’s always reverse anal, which, per Murphy, is “essentially the same, except the insertion occurs in the anus as opposed to the vulva.” Regardless of who’s getting it on with what body parts (and/or strap-ons), reverse cowgirl allows for easy access with hands (or sex toys) to amplify an already intense position.
*This story originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.com. Minor edits have been made by Cosmo.ph editors.
