What to do if your banjo string breaks during sex
Sex is fun but it's not without its risks. Sexual injuries can occur and when they do, it's great to be prepared so the experience doesn't traumatise you and your partner too badly! You might have heard of a "broken banjo string" which is one of the most common sexual injuries. This is basically where the frenulum breaks or snaps due to too much pressure being put on the penis.
People with vaginas have two frenulums - one that connects your tongue to the bottom of your mouth and one that connects your top lip to your top gum. People with penises have three. The extra frenulum is a small piece of skin on the underside of the penis, between the foreskin and the shaft of the penis and it's also known as the "banjo string".
When your banjo string breaks it can bleed a *lot* so this can cause a lot of anxiety. However, this only really happens because when a penis is erect, it's literally filled with blood. All the blood in the body rushes to that area to create a boner, so if you break that boner, there's going to be blood. Don't worry if all of a sudden you're looking like Carrie, the amount of blood is normal, even if it's scary.
What causes a broken banjo string?
Usually a broken frenulum is caused by vigorous sex, especially if you're under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If your sensory perception is inhibited and your inhibitions are uninhibited it can be a recipe for disaster, so be careful if you're planning on having sex when you're drunk. Having sex too hard, too fast or just being too rough during a solo sesh can break your banjo string, especially if you're lacking lubrication.
A penile fracture or torn frenulum is way more common if you're not using lube. The friction created by trying to push a penis into a lube-less area can cause intense pressure on both sides and creates way more risk of injury. Always opt for a good water-based lube if you're having vigorous sex, especially if you usually struggle with friction issues during sex.
If your penis breaks during a steamy session with a partner, it's important that neither of you panic or cast blame. These things happen and although they can be frightening, they are easily remedied.
Dr Catherine Hood, of Eroxon says “Sexuality and our sense of self are closely intertwined, and many men see their sexual performance as a reflection of their masculinity, so even a one-off episode can lead to a maelstrom of negative emotions and self-doubt. In fact, research published in the British Medical Journal found the most common reaction was a sense of emasculation which often undermined existing relationships and deterred men from seeking out new ones."
How bad is the pain?
As the sore penis scale goes, snapping your frenulum can vary in terms of pain. A circumcised penis might have less risk of a broken banjo but it can still happen. Some people describe the experience as a dull ache whereas others have described intense pain.
The pain can also differ depending on how you sustain the injury. For example, if you tear your peen during a hand job it can be more painful due to the grip and the strength of someone's hand. A blow job might not be as bad, and landing the wrong way on top of a penis or missing an entry point can be the most painful, according to people on reddit who describe the experience.
Can you fix a broken banjo string?
The good news is that if you break your banjo string it usually heals on its own. You just need to keep the area clean and it's advisable to not have sex or masturbate for around six weeks to give the area time to heal fully. The scar tissue can tear again especially if you try and have sex too soon so although you might have to contend with some sexual frustration, it's better than causing further injury.
If after six weeks it still feels uncomfortable to have an erection or you're experiencing erectile dysfunction, you may need more time. More severe injuries might need stitches so if you're worried, make an appointment with your GP or a sexual health specialist who can advise you on the damage.
It's not advisable to have sex with a sore penis so think about ways you can embrace pleasure solo and with your partner during your recovery time. This could include sensual massage, dirty talk and sexting, watching or listening to porn together, mutual touch and focusing on either being a giver or receiver in new ways. Hurdles like this can also present a great opportunity to explore other erogenous zones so if you're avoiding the penis, try to see the silver lining and experiment elsewhere.
Generally, when it comes to penis pain and avoiding it, the advice is, if in doubt, load up on lube and go slow to avoid injury!
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