Penis Captivus
Is the medical phenomenon known as 'penis captivus' for real?
- Published
Claim: In a rare phenomenon called penis captivus, a man becomes stuck inside a woman when her vaginal muscles suddenly clamp down. Sometimes the man is unable to withdraw even after he loses his erection, requiring a trip to the emergency room to separate the couple.
Status: LEGEND.
Origins: Medical experts disagree about
whether the phenomenon known as penis captivus is real. Although there have been sporadic reports of allegedly real cases, many specialists feel that vaginal spasms severe enough to cause penis captivus are extremely unlikely, and that the male partner would be able to withdraw his penis once it was sufficiently relaxed. An
On 4 December 1884, the Philadelphia Medical News published an account of a case of penis captivus from Pentonville, England, submitted by one
Sightings: A brief mention is made of this legend in the 1998 film Urban Legend. You’ll find this legend in the 1983 Jackie Collins novel Hollywood Wives as well.
Additional Information: The following articles, taken from various medical journals, discuss the hoax perpetrated by
![]() | Penis Captivus: Fact or Fancy? (Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality) |
![]() | William Osler on Penis Captivus and Other Urologic Topics (Urology) |
![]() | Penis captivus — did it occur? (British Medical Journal) |
![]() | Penis Captivus and the Mischievous Sir William Osler (Southern Medical Journal) |
![]() | Penis Captivus Has Occurred (British Medical Journal) |
Last updated: 11 July 2007
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