Penile Suspensory Ligament

What is the penile suspensory ligament?

The suspensory ligament is a band of tissue that helps an organ or body part stay in place. You have suspensory ligaments in many areas of your body — including your penis. In your penis, this ligament connects the shaft to your pelvic bone. It has a shape like a triangle and attaches your penis to the spot where your left and right pelvic bones meet (called the pubic symphysis).

What does the penile suspensory ligament do?

In your penis, the suspensory ligament’s main job is to:

• Hold your penis close to your pelvis
• Support the upward angle of your erection
• Make it easier for your penis to lift and move during sex

Where is the penile suspensory ligament located?

The penile suspensory ligament starts at the middle of your lower abdomen and pelvic bones. It connects to the layer of tissue (fascia) covering the erectile tissue inside your penis (corpus cavernosa).

What does it look like?

This ligament forms a triangle of three parts:

• Fundiform ligament: A stretchy band made of fat and connective tissue. It wraps around the base of your penis and attaches to your pelvic bones.
• Suspensory ligament proper: This part splits around a large vein at the top of your penis and rejoins deeper in the erectile tissue.
• Arcuate sub-pubic ligament: A thick band that sits behind the suspensory ligament and adds extra support.

What are the common conditions that affect the penile suspensory ligament?

Injuries are rare — but they can happen, usually during sex. Positions that put pressure on an erect penis, especially if it’s pushed down and moved side to side, carry a higher risk. Riskier positions include when your partner:

• Is on all fours while you’re behind (doggy style)
• Lies flat with their chest down and back up (prone)
• Lies on their back and elevates their legs until their torso is in the air (pile driver)
• Straddles you while you lie on your back with your knees bent and pulled toward your chest (Amazon)

What are ligament tear symptoms?

Suspensory ligament of the penis tear symptoms often include:

• A snapping or popping sound
• Immediate pain
• A gap where your penis meets your pubic area
• Pain during arousal
• Softer or unstable erections
• A change in the angle of your erection

What are common tests to check the health of the suspensory ligament?

It’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider if you think you injured the suspensory ligament in your penis. They’ll likely:

• Review your medical history
• Ask about your symptoms and when they started
• Examine your penis and check for a gap near your pelvic bones
• Order imaging, like an MRI, if needed

How can I keep my suspensory ligament healthy?

Although penile suspensory ligament injuries are rare, to help prevent injury:

• Don’t bend your penis on purpose, especially when it’s erect.
• Use caution with sex positions that strain your penis.
• Stop if you feel pain.
• Use lubricants (lube) to help reduce friction.
• Consider medications like sildenafil (Viagra®), vardenafil (Levitra®) or tadalafil (Cialis®) to help maintain a firmer erection.

Certain vitamins and nutrients can also help keep ligaments in your body strong, including:

• Vitamin A: Kale, spinach, broccoli and carrots
• Vitamin C: Oranges, lemons, strawberries and red peppers
• Omega-3: Fatty fish
• Sulfur: Broccoli, eggs, onion, kale and Brussels sprouts
• Manganese: Whole grains, leafy green veggies, nuts and seeds

What other body parts have a suspensory ligament?

Other suspensory ligaments support:

• Eyes and eye lenses
• Underarms (axillae)
• Thyroid
• The first part of your small intestine (duodenum)
• Breasts
• Ovaries
• Clitoris

What is another name for the suspensory ligament?

The penile suspensory ligament doesn’t have another name. But some other suspensory ligaments in your body have other names. They include:

• Lockwood’s ligaments (eyeballs)
• Zonule of Zinn or zonule fiber (eye lens)
• Gerdy’s ligaments (axillae)
• Berry’s ligament (thyroid)
• Ligament of Treitz (duodenum)
• Cooper’s ligaments (breasts)

Why does my suspensory ligament hurt?

Most often, pain in your penile suspensory ligament comes from pressure or bending during sex. Other causes include:

• Energetic masturbation
• Falling or rolling onto your erection
• Bending your erection to make it go away