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*Doctors in Brazil analysed men who fractured their penises during sex
*Scientists found 'cowgirl' position caused almost half the penis fractures
*This was followed by 'doggy-style', with woman on all fours, on 29 per cent
*In contrast, the traditional missionary position affected only 21 per cent

A study has revealed men are paying a painful price for experimenting in the bedroom.  cientists in Brazil have found that more adventurous sexual positions - most notably 'cowgirl' and 'doggy-style' - are responsible for the vast majority of all fractured penises in the bedroom.

In contrast, the traditional, steady missionary position affected only 21 per cent.Doctors and academics examined patients attending three A&E units with suspected 'penile fractures' over a 13 year period.

Half of them had reported hearing a cracking or popping sound before the rare fracture. A determined and bullish 20 per cent battled on regardless.The 'cowgirl' position - or woman on top - caused almost half the fractures, followed by 'doggy-style' - with woman on all fours - on 29 per cent.

The study found 44 men had attended hospital, with 42 having 'the condition confirmed after clinical, radiological and surgical evaluation'.  The research, published in Advances in Urology, concluded: 'Our study supports the fact that sexual intercourse with 'woman on top' is the potentially riskiest sexual position related to penile fracture.

'Our hypothesis is that when woman is on top she usually controls the movement with her entire body weight landing on the erect penis, not being able to interrupt it when the penis suffers a wrong way penetration, because the harm is usually minor in woman with no pain but major in the penis.

'On the contrary, when the man is controlling the movement, he has better chances of stopping the penetration energy in response to the pain related to the penis harm, minimizing it.'

It added: 'Penile fracture is a relatively uncommon clinical condition that frequently causes fear and embarrassment for the patient, hypothetically resulting in delayed search for medical assistance, which can lead to impairment of sexual and voiding functions.' 

Non-surgical treatment can result in up to 50 per cent of patients being left with a permanently deformed penis.

Those affected also reported problems with erectile dysfunction and painful sex following the ordeal. 

Of the 44 men involved in the study, 28 fractured their penis during heterosexual intercourse, four during homosexual intercourse, six from 'penis manipulation' and four in 'unclear' circumstances.