It’s not too surprising that men are getting surgical treatments to increase the length and girth of their penises.
Penis size has been used a stick with which to beat men for ages. Telling someone they have a small dick is an oversized insult. Porn shows eight-inch schlongs that would make anyone feel inferior.
Despite repeated cries that size doesn’t matter (it really, really doesn’t), the ‘bigger is better’ message has been hammered home harder than those massively endowed porn stars pound their onscreen partners.
So it makes sense that men would react to that pressure and comparison by taking action to make their penis bigger.
But what about their balls?
At first glance, balls don’t seem to face the same scrutiny as a man’s penis.
Yes, ‘big balls’ are used to denote courage and strength, but does the actual size of a man’s testicles hold any significance?
To some, clearly it does, as there are men around the world opting to have fillers injected into their balls.
This is not to be confused with saline testicle injections, which are something men do to inflate their ballsacks as part of the BDSM scene. This practice recently led to a man’s death at 28.
This article is also not about prosthetic testicles used for those who have lost a ball due to surgery, injury, or infection.
No, we’re talking about fillers – the same as you’d use in your lips or to add height to your cheekbones – injected into the testicles for the explicit purpose of making the testicles bigger.
The procedure isn’t common, but some mainstream clinics do offer the service.
Mr Giulio Garaffa, a uro-andrologist at International Andrology and an honorary lecturer at University college Hospital, explains to Metro.co.uk that injecting filler into the testicles is fairly simple.
‘The principle is the same as described for penile girth enlargement and would involve injecting a filler in the soft Dartos layer underneath the scrotal skin, so as to cause a visible increase in scrotal volume.’
International Andrology’s clinic does offer scrotal fillers, but say that requests for them aren’t common. They’re more likely to offer testicular prosthesis implantation ‘in patients who have an empty scrotal sac, either because the testicles are absent or very small.’
Worryingly, scrotal fillers are often unregulated and performed by unlicensed practitioners. The shame around getting a cosmetic procedure on the balls means men are pushed to take risky routes to achieve their desired appearance, opting to get silicone implants from unqualified individuals keen to make quick cash without concerning themselves with health and safety.
As with all cosmetic procedures, there’s a serious risk of infection, but when it comes to testicular enlargement experts have concerns about the substances unlicensed practitioners will inject into men’s scrotums.
Regulated doctors will use fillers such as hyaluronic acid, collagen, or autologous fat (fat taken from another area of the body and then injected back in). Backstreet procedures may use anything from saline to silicone, or even cement and tire sealant.
Because these unlicensed procedures are illegal, those considering them may be unwilling to ask for expertise from medical professionals, and those whose procedures have gone wrong may delay getting treatment out of fear and shame.
Even with professionally performed scrotal fillers it’s crucial to be aware of the risks and get help quickly if there are any worrying symptoms.
‘When performed in a high volume medical center by an experienced surgeon, penile enlargement is safe and yields good results,’ says Dr Garaffa. ‘Infection is the most severe complication that can be experienced and the rate of that occurring stands at less than 1%.
‘It is paramount to adequately counsel patients preoperatively to make sure they are perfectly informed of what to expect from surgery and that their expectations are realistic.
‘We examine around 150 patients a month in our clinic, but only around 10-20% of them will undergo surgery as the most important aspect of this process is to make sure that patients that opt for this type of operation are fully informed and know what to expect in terms of the risks and also the functional and aesthetic results of these types of operations.’
Scrotal fillers join ‘scrotox’ (Botox used to reduce wrinkles on the scrotum) as increasingly common methods of testicular enhancement. Both beg the question: Are men secretly deeply self-conscious about their balls?
For James, 31, the answer is no. ‘I’ve never given [the size of my balls] a moment’s thought,’ he told Metro.co.uk. James said he wouldn’t consider getting fillers ‘in a million years’.
Tim, 35, however, has long worried that his testicles were smaller than average.
‘It sounds sort of dumb, but they gave us these rubber sacks with testes in them to practise self-exam in school, I think I was 13 or 14,’ he tells us. ‘They were way bigger than mine.
‘When no one else made that observation I began to assume mine were on the small side.
‘Seeing other men naked in locker rooms, other men’s have always looked bigger. But no one has ever said anything to me about them.’
Years later Tim discovered he had low levels of testosterone, which caused smaller testicles. But while he is conscious that they’re smaller, he wouldn’t consider getting fillers, and doesn’t think sexual partners would be bothered by the size of his balls.
Rohan, 30, feels that having any cosmetic treatments done to his scrotum simply isn’t worth any risk, but says he feels worried about the size of his balls, too.
‘We don’t get to see balls of guys around us so only source is porn,’ he explains. ‘Like any young guy, you do wonder if cocks are supposed to be that big and thick and balls are supposed to be hanging like that.
‘That did make me a little self-conscious.
‘I got more concerned when a partner mentioned that my balls were small despite being so hung. I didn’t know if it was compliment on my dick or comment on balls.
‘Girls do notice it and some do comment. Like one partner, she was into porn and wanted to feel balls slapping against her pussy on every thrust, Like in porn.
‘One day she told me, if I wasn’t good otherwise, she would have dumped me because my balls didn’t do that thing.
‘I am someone who would never play around with my equipment only for aesthetics. If there was something actually wrong, I would have looked at options.
‘But fillers for balls? Too precious to play around.’
As with any cosmetic enhancement, what you do with your body is entirely up to you – including making the decision to have a substance injected into your ballsack. But it’s crucial to do it safely.
Think throughwhyyou’d like to increase the size of your balls, and question whether you’re overinflating their importance. An emotional problem and low self-esteem will not magically be fixed by a load of collagen, and if you find that you’re obsessively worrying about the size of your testicles, it’s worth talking to a doctor about counselling before you hit up a surgeon.
If you do decide to go ahead, please do go to a licensed practitioner qualified to inject fillers, and make sure all the safety precautions are taken. Only have fillers injected in a clean, medical setting – never at a party or in your mate’s room with collagen he ordered online.
Dr Kirk Kremer of London’s Harley Street Aesthetics recently warned of the dangers of getting fillers in non-medical settings, telling Metro.co.uk: ‘Even though Botox and filler treatments are considered non-surgical, they are in fact invasive and can cause more damage than the layman thinks.
‘When undergoing these so-called “blind” procedures, needles or canulas are penetrated through the patient’s skin and muscles to place the Botox or filler in the right places
‘You can imagine that if the needles are inserted in the wrong place, nerve damage can be caused, leading to skin necrosis, blindness or paralysis of the muscled causing deformation.
‘This might be temporary but it can also be permanent.
‘An infection is one of the complications that can occur after having one of these procedures, and as a clinician I place a great deal of importance on having a sterile setting to work in.’
And remember that just like penises, there’s no ‘right’ size for your scrotum. The health of your testicles is what’s important, not their size. Never let your self-worth lie in the size of your bulge.
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FAQs
What happens when you Botox your balls? ›
When you inject Botox into the scrotum, it smoothes the wrinkles, according to Dr. Mesa. It also allows your testicles to hang down farther, which Dr. Mesa says makes them appear larger.
Do your balls get bigger when you get older? ›The Testicles Shrink
For the same reason your penis shrinks with age -- reduced testosterone -- your testicles also get smaller. Injury, less blood flow, and anabolic steroid (synthetic testosterone) use can also be responsible for the size reduction.
Reduced testosterone levels and testes volume were associated with higher levels of paternal caregiving. If you notice swelling of your testicles, tell your doctor. Growing larger testes in adulthood can signal testicular cancer or another health problem, rather than be a sign of increasing virility.
Is having saggy balls a good thing? ›Saggy testicles are a natural part of aging, and don't necessarily indicate that there's anything wrong with your scrotum or your testicles. However, if your scrotum looks swollen or misshapen, it's best to follow up with your doctor. These may be signs of an underlying condition requiring treatment.
Do they cup your balls in a physical? ›Why? A testicular exam can make a guy feel a bit awkward or embarrassed, but just like checking a person's blood pressure, it's a normal part of a physical exam. The doctor checks the testicles and the area around them to make sure everything is healthy and that a guy doesn't have any problems, like a hernia.
Can balls become full? ›When there's too much fluid in the ball sac, you can end up with a hydrocele. The hydrocele itself typically isn't painful, but guys may feel pain from having a heavy, swollen scrotum, according to the Mayo Clinic. Go see a doctor whenever you notice swelling in your balls.
What causes men's balls to get bigger? ›Common causes of an enlarged testicle include inflammation, infections, cysts, and fluid buildup. In rare cases, an enlarged testicle may be a symptom of testicular cancer. You may experience other symptoms with an enlarged testicle, such as pain, fever, or painful urination.
How long does it take for your balls to be full? ›From start to finish it takes 64 to 74 days.
Are 2 inch balls big? ›Normally, each testicle is about 2 inches long, though it's not unusual for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other. They start to grow around age 8 and continue to grow until the end of puberty.
Do balls get bigger when hard? ›As such, in much the same way the length of the shaft expands during intercourse, the testicular volume increases too, resulting in them becoming bigger and harder. If they don't get relief—and blood stays trapped in there for some time—you might experience the pain that is affectionately known as blue balls.
What does it mean when a man balls are full? ›
Your scrotum looks or feels full of fluid
If your scrotum looks or feels like it's full of fluid on one or both sides, you may have a hydrocele. A hydrocele may be caused by inflammation or injury but it's not usually painful.
- Wash Your Balls Every Day.
- The Soap You Use Actually Matters.
- Dry Your Junk Gently and Thoroughly.
- Use Powder to Keep Your Balls Dry.
- Dry Is Good, Too Dry Is Bad.
- Be Careful Manscaping.
As you get older, the muscles don't work as well, and your scrotum stays in a more slackened position. Combine that with your skin's natural decline in elasticity, and the sagging gets worse. If you're over 40, a hydrocele can also make your scrotum sag. It happens when fluid builds up around one or both testicles.
Do they look at your private parts during a physical? ›Males, specifically, should expect a testicular exam, a hernia exam, a penis exam and a prostate exam. Women should expect a breast and pelvic exam to screen for any abnormalities.
Why do doctors make you cough when holding your balls? ›A doctor can feel for a hernia by using his or her fingers to examine the area around the groin and testicles. The doctor may ask you to cough while pressing on or feeling the area. Sometimes, the hernia causes a bulge that the doctor can detect. If this happens, surgery almost always repairs the hernia completely.
What age do doctors look at your private areas? ›Doctors recommend yearly checkups that focus on the female reproductive system, starting between the ages of 13 and 15. Often called well-woman visits, they can catch small issues before they become big ones.
How often should a guy release sperm? ›There is no specific frequency with which a man should ejaculate. There is no solid evidence that failure to ejaculate causes health problems. However, ejaculating frequently can reduce the man's risk of getting prostate cancer. Ejacu-lation can be through having sex or masturbating a few times a day.
How many minutes does it take a man to release sperm? ›During sexual intercourse, most men ejaculate between 5-10 minutes and research has shown the average time to ejaculate after penetration is 5 1/2 minutes. Usually, ejaculation less than 1 to 1 1/2 minutes after penetration is regarded as premature ejaculation.
What hormone makes balls bigger? ›All three responses are triggered by the secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, by stimulating the anterior pituitary to release follicle stimulating hormone, responsible for activating sperm production and causing the testes to enlarge, and luteinising hormone, which stimulates the ...
Does fish oil increase testicle size? ›Similarly, testicular size in men with supplement intake on fewer than 60 days was 0.8 (95% CI, −0.2 to 1.9) mL larger and in men with fish oil supplement intake on 60 or more days was 1.5 (95% CI, 0.2 to 2.8) mL larger compared with men with no supplement intake (P for trend = . 007).
What happen if we release sperm daily? ›
What Happens When A Man Releases Sperm Daily? According to research, releasing sperm on a regular basis lowers the risk of prostate cancer. Toxins naturally build up in the urogenital tract. Men who ejaculate more than five times a week have lower toxins levels and, as a result, have a lower chance of prostate cancer.
What does thick sperm mean? ›Thick semen usually results from a higher than normal concentration of sperm in a typical volume of semen, or from having a high number of sperm with an irregular shape (morphology). High sperm concentration often indicates that you're more likely to impregnate a female partner.
Can you feel your sperm? ›Can you feel when sperm enters? Yes, if your partner has a strong and intense ejaculation during unprotected sex, you can feel when sperm enters as the ejaculation shoots inside you. If your partner doesn't ejaculate much, you cannot feel it.
How big are the average man's balls? ›Most adult males have two testicles, and each typically measures around 4 x 3 x 2 centimeters (cm). However, testicle size can vary. It is also common to have one testicle that is smaller than the other.
Are all size 5 balls the same? ›This is the same size used in professional and international soccer matches regulated by FIFA. The size 5 soccer ball measures 27 to 28 inches circumference, weighs 410 to 450 grams, and is typically inflated to 8.7 psi.
What makes balls big or small? ›The average length of a testis or testicle is between 1.8 inches to 2 inches. Testicles lesser than 1.4 inches can be considered as small and they indicate low production of the male sex hormone testosterone. Oversized testes, on the other hand, hint at over production of this hormone.
Does Botox affect sperm? ›This study is the first to show that intracremasteric injections of Botox® induce adverse testicular effects evidenced by inhibited spermatogenesis and initiation of histopathological changes. In conclusion, decreased fertility may be a serious problem Botox® injections could cause.
Do balls tighten up? ›All males have a cremaster muscle (a thin pouch-like muscle in which a testicle rests). When the cremaster muscle contracts (tightens), it pulls the testicle upward toward the body; this is known as the cremasteric reflex. The cremasteric reflex is brought on by such things as cold, touch, and anxiety.
What is the average age for your balls to drip? ›Causes. Most of the time, a boy's testicles descend by the time he is 9 months old. Undescended testicles are common in infants who are born early. The problem occurs less in full-term infants.
Does filler affect fertility? ›No, injectables do not affect fertility but you'll still want to avoid taking them leading up to your pregnancy. Cosmetic injectables such as Botox are considered category C which means that the level of harm done on pregnant women and babies is unknown.
Why do men get Scrotox? ›
Scrotox is a nonsurgical cosmetic treatment of the scrotum with neurotoxin or Botox injections. Botox is used to inject directly into the testicles to decrease sweating, reduce wrinkles and make the scrotum appear larger due to the relaxation of the muscles. The result, doctors say, is an improved aesthetic appearance.
Can you take Viagra after Botox? ›Answer: Medications
Yes you can take Viagra after filler or Botox injections. The product remains in the area injected.
Physical, chemical and emotional/psychological factors cause premature ejaculation. Physical and chemical problems include: An underlying erectile dysfunction diagnosis. A hormonal problem with oxytocin levels, which has a role in sexual function in men.
Does your voice change when your balls drop? ›Testicles “drop” long before puberty. The hormones from puberty, some of which come from the testicles, do cause changes in the vocal chords which in turn cause the change in voice. But no it isn't because their balls dropped. If it was there would be a lot of deep voiced baby boys out there.
What happens when your balls pop? ›Testicular rupture, like testicular torsion and other serious injuries to the testicles, causes extreme pain, swelling in the scrotum, nausea, and vomiting. Surgery is needed to fix the ruptured testicle.