Blue balls

Blue balls
Other namesEpididymal hypertension, sexual arousal orchialgia[1]
SpecialtyUrology

Blue balls is slang[2] for an uncomfortable testicular sensation that can occur during a state of male sexual arousal. The term is thought to have originated in the United States, first appearing in 1916.[3] Another slang term used for the condition is lover's nuts.[4] Some urologists call this condition epididymal hypertension or sexual arousal orchialgia.

Most often it describes a temporary fluid congestion (vasocongestion) in the testicles,[5] caused by prolonged sexual arousal in the human male without ejaculation.[6]

Research

The phenomenon is sometimes associated with certain demographics, such as men who are experiencing and practicing delayed, multiple[7] or inhibited ejaculation.[8]

Since the pain level is usually low, it does not affect sexual activity – thus, is rarely considered to be pathological. This leads to a wide discussion, with scant information in the scientific literature.[9]

A brief article by Chalett and Nerenberg in Pediatrics agrees that little formal data exists regarding the condition. The article concludes that "the treatment is sexual release, or perhaps straining to move a very heavy object— in essence doing a Valsalva maneuver."[10]

Causes

The cause of blue balls is a large amount of blood circulation to the genital area, specifically the penis and testicles, without the release of tension associated with orgasm/ejaculation. When a large amount of blood flows to the genital region, the penis becomes erect and the testicles also experience increased blood flow and swelling.

Other causes of painful symptoms include:

It may also be a sign of testicular torsion, which often requires emergency surgery.[11]

Symptoms

The following indications and symptoms in the testicles may be experienced by people with blue balls:

  • heaviness
  • aching
  • discomfort or mild pain
  • a faint blue tint

See also

References

  1. ↑ Wiener, SL (1990). "Testicular Pain". In Walker, HK; Hall, WD; Hurst, JW (eds.). Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations (3rd ed.). Boston: Butterworths. PMID 21250139.
  2. ↑ Fergusson, Rosalind; Eric Partridge; Paul Beale (December 1993). Shorter Slang Dictionary. Routledge. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-415-08866-4.
  3. ↑ Dalzell, Tom; Victor, Terry (December 2007). Sex Slang. Routledge. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-415-37180-3.
  4. ↑ Byrne, Lauren N.; Meacham, Randall B. (2006). "Management of Post-Ejaculatory Perineal Pain". Journal of Andrology. 27 (6): 710–711. doi:10.2164/jandrol.106.001370. ISSN 1939-4640. PMID 17079745.
  5. ↑ Yazmajian, Richard V. (1967). "The Influence of Testicular Sensory Stimuli on the Dream". Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association. 15 (1): 83–98. doi:10.1177/000306516701500103. PMID 6032147. S2CID 7093435.
  6. ↑ Glenn, Jules (1969). "Testicular and Scrotal Masturbation". International Journal of Psycho-Analysis. 50 (3): 353–362. PMID 5387383.
  7. ↑ Parnham, Arie; Serefoglu, Ege Can (August 2016). "Retrograde ejaculation, painful ejaculation and hematospermia". Translational Andrology and Urology. 5 (4): 592–601. doi:10.21037/tau.2016.06.05. ISSN 2223-4691. PMC 5002007. PMID 27652230.
  8. ↑ Perelman, Michael A. (2001). "Integrating Sildenafil and Sex Therapy: Unconsummated Marriage Secondary to Erectile Dysfunction and Retarded Ejaculation". Journal of Sex Education and Therapy. 26 (1): 13–21. doi:10.1080/01614576.2001.11074377. S2CID 141603559.
  9. ↑ Komisaruk, Barry R.; Beverly Whipple; Sara Nasserzadeh; Carlos Beyer-Flores (November 2009). The Orgasm Answer Guide. The Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-8018-9396-4.
  10. ↑ Chalett, J.M.; Nerenberg, L.T. (2000). "'Blue Balls': A Diagnostic Consideration in Testiculoscrotal Pain in Young Adults: A Case Report and Discussion". Pediatrics. 106 (4): 843. doi:10.1542/peds.106.4.843. PMID 11015532. S2CID 36966128.
  11. ↑ "Blue Balls: Understanding Epididymal Hypertension". Healthline. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
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