What Are Blue Balls? Is It Real? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

What are blue balls?

You’ve probably heard of blue balls, used as an euphemism for feeling sexually frustrated. But did you know that ‘blue balls’ is an actual physical condition? In fact, there’s a medical term for it: epididymal hypertension.

Blue balls happens when blood flows into your penis and testicles when you become sexually aroused, but isn’t released by orgasm. The trapped blood makes your genitals feel mildly painful, heavy, and have a sensation of pressure. While temporarily uncomfortable, ‘blue balls’ is not harmful or dangerous to a man’s health.

What does blue balls mean?

‘Blue balls’ describes a physical condition where you feel a heavy, slightly painful, and pressured sensation around your testicles and penis. This comes from a buildup of blood in your genitals when you become sexually excited, that isn’t released by orgasm. The term ‘blue balls’ comes from a bluish tinge your scrotum may have.

What is epididymal hypertension?

Epididymal hypertension is the medical term for ‘blue balls’. Sure, it sounds daunting but it’s really just a fancy way of saying buildup of blood in the scrotum. Hypertension, as you might know, means increased blood pressure. Epididymis (see picture below) is a part of the scrotum that helps sperm mature and stores them. When you are turned on for a long period of time without an orgasm, blood stays in the genitals including around the epididymis, causing a heavy sensation you can feel.

How long does epididymal hypertension last?

Epididymal hypertension is relieved when you allow the blood in your genitals to flow back into your body. You can do this by having an orgasm, distracting yourself from being aroused, taking a cold shower, or doing some exercise. Sometimes, you might not be able to do any of these right away. Epididymal hypertension may last a couple hours, in this case.

Are blue balls real? Is blue balls a real health issue for men?

‘Blue balls’ is absolutely a real physical sensation most men experience at some point in their lives. While uncomfortable, it is not harmful or dangerous to a man’s health. Having ‘blue balls’ is never a reason to pressure a partner into sexual activity they’re less than enthusiastic for. To relieve blue balls, you can try distracting yourself from arousal, getting an orgasm, exercising, or taking a cold shower.

What Causes Blue Balls

How do you get blue balls?

‘Blue balls’ happens when you stay sexually aroused for a long time, causing blood to flow into the penis and scrotum and become trapped there. The buildup of blood makes your genital area feel heavy, pressured, or mildly painful.

Why do you get blue balls?

‘Blue balls’ happens when you stay sexually aroused for a long time, causing blood to flow into the penis and scrotum and become trapped there. The buildup of blood makes your genital area feel heavy, pressured, or mildly painful. 

Blue balls symptoms

What does blue balls feel like?

‘Blue balls’ is typically associated with symptoms like mild pain, a sensation of pressure or heaviness in the genitals, and rarely a bluish tinge to the scrotum.

How long does it take to get blue balls?

‘Blue balls’ happens when you stay aroused for a long time, causing blood to build up in the scrotum and penis. How long is “a long time” exactly? It depends. Some men are more sensitive to the sensation than others. For some, it may be an hour or two. For others, it may be less.

How to know you are having blue balls for sure 

If you are experiencing ‘blue balls’, the sensation is relieved once you have an orgasm or become no longer aroused. If you find you continue to have pain or discomfort in your genitals, it’s time to see a doctor. Your symptoms may be a sign of infection, inflammation, or injury to your testicles, rather than simply ‘blue balls’.

How long does blue balls last?

Blue balls are relieved once you have an orgasm or become no longer aroused. You can do this by masturbating, taking a cold shower, using a cold pack, or doing some exercise. Sometimes, it might be a couple hours before it’s convenient for you to do any of these. Even then, there are no short-term or long-term health risks associated with it.

How to get rid of blue balls

What do you do for blue balls?

Some common solutions for relief are:

• Having an orgasm
• Distracting yourself from being turned on
• Exercising
• Taking a cold shower
• Using a cold pack

What medication helps with blue balls?

Medications are not helpful - nor necessary - for blue balls. 

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