What Does It Mean For Your Balls To Drop?

Is it normal for balls to drop?

As a person ages, the scrotum, the sack that holds the testicles, loses elasticity, and the skin starts to sag. Certain medical conditions can also cause the skin to appear saggy. Skin loses its elasticity over time as a person gets older, and the effects of gravity start to become more noticeable everywhere on the body, including the testicles.

Some treatments can help keep the scrotum from sagging too much, although there is no way to prevent or treat the issue completely. Sagging testicles, which people often refer to as saggy balls, are usually not a cause for concern. However, if they appear with other symptoms, such as pain on one side of the balls or in the prostate, a person should see a doctor.

In this article, we look at the possible causes of sagging testicles, as well as treatment options and when to see a doctor. Share on Pinterest The skin around the testicles loses its elasticity as a person gets older. The testicles hang inside the scrotum, or scrotal sac. The looseness of the skin around the testicles varies among individuals, and in many people, it is naturally fairly loose.

The scrotum helps protect the testicles and provides some impact resistance. The scrotum also moves in response to heat to protect the delicate testicles and sperm inside. In doing so, it helps keep the sperm viable by preventing them from becoming too warm or too cold. In cold weather, the skin tightens up as the cremaster muscle pulls the testicles toward the body to keep them warm.

In hot conditions, the skin loosens to prevent the testicles from overheating. The looser skin allows the balls to hang away from the warm body and encourages airflow around the scrotum to keep the area cool. As such, even in younger people, the testicles will typically sag a bit.

1. A person will generally notice this once they start producing sperm during puberty,
2. As a person ages, the testicles will generally sag much more.
3. The process may not be noticeable at first, but by the age of 50 years, most people will notice a drastic difference in how much their balls sag.
4. Sagging testicles are a completely normal part of the aging process.

A study from 2014 verifies the decrease in skin mechanical properties with aging. The skin loses collagen with age, causing the layers of the skin to stretch more. While this applies to the skin everywhere on the body, it may be more noticeable in certain areas, such as the face and testicles.

The scrotum and testicles already hang away from the body, so more stretchy skin and the efforts of gravity can lead to the effect appearing more drastic. Other times, sagging testicles may be the result of an underlying issue, such as a varicocele. A varicocele occurs when a vein near the testicles swells up.

This swelling can cause an increased blood flow to the testicles, which heats them. The body then responds by dropping the testicles lower to prevent them from getting too hot. According to a study in the Asian Journal of Andrology, varicoceles appear in up to 15% of males and may have an association with infertility,

Varicoceles may make a person feel as though their testicles are moving or squirming, and they may also notice pain in the area. Anyone experiencing these symptoms alongside sagging testicles should see a doctor. Sometimes, a person will not experience any other symptoms and will not notice that they have the issue.

Although age-related sagging in the scrotum is normal, some people may be uncomfortable with its appearance or find that it gets in the way of their daily life — for example, by making it easy to sit accidentally on the testicles. Surgery is the only sure way to resolve the issue, but people can also try a range of nonsurgical methods, including those below.

How do you know if your balls are dropping?

Diagnosing undescended testicles – Undescended testicles can usually be diagnosed after a physical examination. This will determine whether the testicles can be felt near the scrotum (palpable) or if they can’t be felt at all (impalpable). This physical examination can sometimes be difficult, so your doctor may need to refer your child to a paediatric surgeon.

Why do balls drop randomly?

So what causes your balls to sag? – Let’s talk about why your testicles hang off your body in the first place: “They like to be a tad big cooler than the rest of your body because that’s the ideal temperature for sperm production,” Brahmbhatt tells Men’s Health,

• Lax scrotal skin allows your balls to hang lower, away from your body, when your internal temperature rises, like after the gym.
• When you’re in a cold room, testicles shrink up closer to your body for warmth.
• With age, skin, which causes the dermis to become thin and stretchy.
• This leads to saggy skin, which can impact your genitals, too.

There isn’t a magical age that these changes begin to occur, but Brahmbhatt says most of his patients begin to notice a difference in their 60s or 70s.

How does a man know when his balls drop?

If you feel two balls in your scrotum, they have descended. They just get bigger and heavier in early puberty. Nothing else. ‘Dropped balls’ is another silly urban myth people made up.

Why do my balls go inside when I’m hard?

Right testicle riding up? Dear Ball in hiding?, Although most body parts tend to stay put, it’s common for the testicles to play hide and seek, especially when emotions are running high (including when you’re having sex). A trip to a men’s health care provider may give you some insight into why your right nut rises up and help to settle your concerns.

• The cremaster muscle, a pouch that surrounds the testicles, is the likely culprit of your hiding testicle.
• Depending on the situation, the cremaster muscle lets your boys hang loose or reins them in tight.
• Perhaps you’ve noticed that when it’s cold outside your balls seem to shrink up; that’s your cremaster contracting and pulling the testicles close to your body for warmth.

Similarly, the cremaster pulls the testicles in when your body is startled or aroused. Orgasm is a total body response that elicits all kinds of reactions from the body, not just ejaculation. When you climax, it’s normal for testicles to “ride up” into your body.

• In some males, an “overactive” cremaster muscle pulls one (or both) of the testicles all the way out of the scrotum up into the groin.
• This condition, called retractile testicle, may explain your experience.
• The cremaster reflex that causes retractile testicle is usually strongest during childhood, but lingers in some adult men.

The health effects of this condition are not well known, but males with retractile testicle may be more vulnerable to testicular cancer, fertility problems, testicular torsion (twisting of the cord that connects the testicle to the groin), and damage caused by pressure against the pubic bone.

However, if a retractile testicle isn’t painful and it lowers back into place relatively soon, there’s probably no cause for alarm. To make sure that all is well below the belt, you may want to see an urologist or a provider who specializes in men’s health. During your visit, it may be helpful to talk with your provider about when your testicle goes into hiding, where it moves in your body, how long it takes to reappear, and what sensations you feel when this happens.

The provider may also perform a physical exam to explore the anatomical nature of your rising testicle. While it may be unsettling to have one of your balls go into hiding, this disappearing act seems temporary. A health care provider can give you more information about if and why your cremaster is acting up.

Why do balls go up when ejaculating?

Understanding the Role of Testicles in Ejaculation – During sexual arousal, the testes begin producing sperm and testosterone, which are stored in the epididymis, a coiled tube located on the testes. When a man reaches orgasm, the muscles of the vas deferens and prostate gland contract, forcing the semen into the urethra and out of the body.

• At the same time, the testicles are drawn up towards the body by the cremaster muscle, causing them to retract.
• It is important to note that the temperature of the testicles plays a crucial role in sperm production.
• The testes are located outside of the body because they need to be kept cooler than the internal body temperature for optimal sperm production.

This is why the scrotum, which houses the testicles, is able to contract and expand in response to changes in temperature. 87% people received expert guidance for their concerns. In addition to their role in ejaculation and sperm production, the testicles also play a key role in the production of male hormones, such as testosterone. Testosterone is responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, such as facial hair, deepening of the voice, and muscle growth.

How early can your balls drop?

Undescended Testicle Normally, the testicles develop in the stomach of the baby before birth. Then they come down into the scrotum before birth. An undescended testicle occurs when one or both testicles fail to drop down before birth. This happens fairly commonly in premature infants and occurs about 3-4% of the time in full-term infants.

About 65% of these usually drop before the age of nine months. Sometimes a child’s testicle will drop, but then retract or pull back into the scrotum. This is not considered an undescended testicle. This happens because of the strength of the muscles (cremasteric reflex) that retract the testicles before puberty.

This is considered fairly normal and does not require surgery. Testicles that do not drop by about one year of age should be examined by a surgeon. It is thought that by three years of age, if the testicles have not dropped, surgery should be done to prevent permanent damage to the testicles.

Testicles that do not descend naturally into the scrotum are considered abnormal throughout the patient’s life. These undescended testicles have a higher likelihood of developing cancer, regardless of whether they are surgically brought down or not. Bringing the testicle down into the normal spot, the scrotum, maximizes sperm production and increases the odds of good fertility.

It also allows for early detection of testicular cancer. In other cases, no testes can be found at all, even on surgical exploration. This happens before birth. Usually the testicles will descend by age one without any help. If they do not, the first course of treatment can be hormone injections to stimulate movement and help the testicle descend.

Surgery is the most common treatment. Recent research now suggests that surgery should be done early, rather than later, to prevent infertility. The surgery is called orchiopexy (ORKY-O-PEXY). While the child is under anesthesia, an incision is made in the groin, where most undescended testes are located.

The spermatic cord is found and freed to make sure it’s long enough. A small incision is made in the scrotum, and a pouch is created. The testicle is located and carefully pulled down into the pouch. The testicle is stitched into place, and the incisions are stitched closed.

1. Orchiopexy is usually very successful with excellent prospects for fertility.
2. The surgery usually is done on an outpatient basis, and bedrest is recommended for two to three days afterward.
3. Strenuous activity, especially bike riding, usually is ruled out for about one month.
4. As with all surgery, there is a risk of infection or bleeding afterwards, as well as potential problems related to the anesthesia.

: Undescended Testicle

When balls are full?

Your scrotum looks or feels veiny – If your scrotum looks veiny (usually on the left-hand side), it may be caused by a condition called varicocele, This is an enlargement of the veins that sit within the scrotum and feels kind of wormy. The cause of varicoceles is not fully understood.

What age do boys hit puberty?

When do boys start puberty? – Boys begin puberty sometime between the ages of 9 and 14. Boys hit puberty about two years later than girls. However, Black and Hispanic boys tend to enter puberty a bit earlier than white boys. If your son starts showing signs of puberty before age 9, it’s worth asking his pediatrician about these early changes.

Why do boys balls not drop?

Causes – The exact cause of an undescended testicle isn’t known. Genes, the health of the baby’s mother and other factors might have a combined effect. Together they may disrupt the hormones, physical changes and nerve activity that play roles in how the testicles develop.

Why are my balls tight and small?

Introduction – The normal testis in the postpubertal male is oval shaped, 4-5 cm long, 3 cm high, and 2.5 cm wide. However, testis volume differs according to age and the stage of sexual development. It is also common for each testis to have a different volume.

1. Abnormally small testes are those that are smaller than the 50th percentile for age,
2. The causes of small testes are either congenital or acquired.
3. Chromosomal abnormalities such as primary and secondary hypogonadism induce testicular underdevelopment,
4. Linefelter syndrome is the most common cause of primary hypogonadism in men,

An acquired cause of small testes is testicular atrophy, which entails a testicular volume reduction of 20% compared with baseline volume or the normal contralateral testis, Testicular atrophy may occur after infarction, inflammation, cryptorchidism, varicocele, or trauma,

Testicular atrophy is important for male infertility because it is associated with reduced spermatogenesis and reduced fertility, Ultrasonography is the standard imaging modality for patients with suspected scrotal abnormalities. High-resolution, real-time ultrasonography can accurately detect palpable and non-palpable small testes.

In this study, we reviewed the ultrasonographic and clinical findings of patients with various causes of small testes ( Table 1 ).

Do your balls hurt when you hit puberty?

Is testicular pain normal during puberty? – Some boys feel occasional mild self-limiting discomfort, but ‘pain’ is not normal and medical advice is warranted.

Do boys have balls before they drop?

How Do Undescended Testicles (Cryptorchidism) Happen? – As a baby boy grows inside his mother’s womb, his testicles form inside his abdomen and move down (descend) into the scrotum shortly before birth. But in some cases, that move doesn’t happen, and the baby is born with one or both testicles undescended.

The majority of cases are in male babies born prematurely, Undescended testicles move down on their own in about half of these babies by the time they’re 6 months old. If they don’t, it’s important to get treatment. The testicles make and store sperm, and if they don’t descend they could become damaged.

This could affect fertility later in life or lead to other medical problems.

Do guys balls drop suddenly?

Balls drop after birth – First of all some basic facts about balls dropping. They drop into the scrotum (ball bag) soon after birth. Sometimes one or both balls don’t drop into the ball bag straight away but they do eventually (sometimes with surgical help).

After that they slowly get bigger and heavier during puberty. Lots of boys and men (with balls) think that balls just kinda ‘drop’ again overnight during their teenage years. Balls don’t drop like that, it’s a gradual process. From what you say it sounds like your balls dropped after birth. How low your balls are also changes due to temperature – because sperm has to be kept lower than body temperature they are in a bag outside the body.

The scrotum lowers the balls away from the body when it’s warm and when it’s cold (or when you’ve just been swimming) the scrotum pulls them up to keep them warm. Sometimes balls can actually pop up into the body, in a place called the inguinal canal, and then pop out again.

Why do guys move their balls?

What causes a retractile testicle? – 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.

Is it safe to push your balls inside?

The testicles migrate through the inguinal canals to outside the body before we are born. The testes can be placed back into these spaces with gentle pressure. inguinal canals. This should not be painful.

How hard should my balls feel?

How should my testicles look and feel? – A healthy testicle has a firm and smooth surface, but doesn’t feel hard. You might have one testicle slightly bigger than the other. This is normal. It’s also normal for one testicle to hang slightly lower than your other one.

What happens if you pull on your balls too hard?

Much of the time, testicles can absorb the shock that comes from an injury without serious damage. At other times, you may need to seek medical attention for treatment. Trauma can hurt your scrotum and your testicles, even tearing the protective tissue or causing the testicles to split open.

Why do guys balls feel full?

What causes lumps and swelling in the testicles? – There are several causes of testicular lumps and swellings:

varicocele – caused by enlarged veins in the testicles (may look like a bag of worms)hydrocele – a swelling caused by fluid around the testicleepididymal cyst – a lump caused by a collection of fluid in the epididymistesticular torsion – a sudden painful swelling that happens when a testicle becomes twisted (this is a medical emergency and requires surgery as soon as possible)epididymitis – a chlamydia infection in the epididymis can cause inflammation, swelling and tenderness inside the scrotum (ball sack); a few men will notice that the whole of the scrotum is red and tender (this is called epididymo-orchitis) testicular cancer – an uncommon cause of lumps

Do balls get bigger over time?

Average Testical Size – Testicles are oval in shape and typically weigh about 20g. The average testicle size ranges from 3.6 to 5.5 cm in length and 2.1 to 3.5 cm in width. Keep in mind that one testicle is typically slightly larger than the other. The testicles undergo size variation as we age.

• While very small during infancy, the testicles typically rapidly grow during puberty and take their ultimate shape and size during adulthood. Dr.
• James Tanner was a British pediatrician who established a reference chart for measuring male testicle size.
• It is known as Tanner stages, and it follows the stages of the body’s development from infancy to adulthood.

This chart provides the average testicle size through different stages of life and measures them in volume (ml). Tanner Stages:

Childhood – 1 to 3 ml Early Puberty – 4 to 6 ml Mid Puberty – 8 to 10 ml Late Puberty – 14 to 16 ml Adulthood – 18 to 25 ml

Do mens balls get bigger over time?

Age-related changes in testicle size – As the body ages, the testicles grow smaller. The medical name for this is testicular atrophy (TA). TA tends to be a gradual process. It may occur so slowly that the person does not notice the change in size. Other symptoms of TA can include reduced muscle mass and a gradual loss of sex drive,

sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as syphilis and gonorrhea, tuberculosis, mumps, and some other viral infectionstrauma to the testicles

Anyone who has had sex without protection should receive testing for STIs, An STI may cause one or more of the following symptoms:

difficulty urinating burning while urinating itchy rashes on or around the genitals

However, depending on the infection, a person may experience no symptoms at all. If trauma to the testicles occurs, undergo a medical examination as soon as possible. Share on Pinterest If someone discovers a lump on their testicle, they can talk to their doctor.

Perform the test standing up.Look for any swelling in the scrotum.Gently feel the scrotal sac to find one of the testicles.Gently roll the testicle between the thumb and fingers to feel its entire surface.Repeat the process with the other testicle.

Check carefully for any:

small, hard lump or lumps swelling, soreness, or pain changes in size or texturechanges in firmness

A person may feel a cord-like structure, called the epididymis, at the base of each testicle. These bundled tubes carry sperm from the testicles. Contact a doctor about any changes or lumps in the testicles as soon as possible. The doctor will perform a close examination for signs of disease.

1. Testicular cancer is one rare but highly treatable disease involving the testicles.
2. If a doctor diagnoses and treats this cancer in its early stages, it is usually curable.
3. Testicle size does not generally indicate a cause for concern.
4. Most males have one testicle that is smaller than the other, a testicle that hangs lower than the other, or both.

Certain issues and health conditions, such as testicular cancer, can cause changes in the size and shape of the testicles. Performing regular testicular self-examinations can help catch these diseases early and allow for the best chance of successful treatment.

What does it look like when a boys balls haven’t dropped?

If both testicles are undescended, the scrotum will look unusually small and flat. If only one testicle is affected, the scrotum may look lopsided. If your baby’s testicle appears to be ‘sometimes there and sometimes not,’ we call that testicle retractile. It’s a normal condition that requires no treatment.

What happens to a man’s balls when he comes?

Climax/Orgasm – As the act continues, the neurotransmitters signal the testicles to ejaculate the sperms from the testicles and the seminal fluids produced by the prostate gland. Before this happens, most often the testicles move up, closer to the body due to contraction of muscles in the pelvic region.

What happens to a man if he loses his balls?

Why might a person have one or both testicles removed? – Located in the scrotum, the testicles (also called the testes) are a pair of glands that produce sperm cells and testosterone, the primary sex hormone and anabolic steroid in males. Testosterone plays a key role in the development of male characteristics.

• It is involved with sex drive, erections, and sperm production.
• It also helps build muscle and bone mass.
• Surgery to remove one or both testicles is called an orchidectomy or orchiectomy.
• Men who have one testicle removed usually don’t experience sexual problems.
• The remaining testicle will produce enough testosterone to make up for the missing one.

Erections and fertility also shouldn’t be affected. If both testicles are removed, the man’s body will no longer produce testosterone. This may result in decreased sex drive and problems with erections. He will also become infertile, as sperm production will no longer be possible.

Testicular cancer. Most men with testicular cancer undergo orchidectomy. Complete removal of the affected testicle(s) can improve the chances of recovery. Prostate cancer. The hormone testosterone can spur the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells. Some men with high risk or metastatic prostate cancer choose to have their testicles removed in order to decrease the testosterone level by removing the source. Alternatively, men may take a medication to chemically reduce testosterone. Testicular torsion. Each testicle receives blood via the attached spermatic cord. Testicular torsion occurs when the spermatic cord twists, cutting off the blood supply. Testicular torsion is an emergency. If you feel sudden, severe pain in your testicles, see a healthcare provider immediately. If handled quickly, surgery can repair the damaged testicle and restore the blood supply. If the testicle cannot be saved, it may be surgically removed. Testicular injury. Because of their location in the scrotum, the testicles are not as well-protected as other organs. As a result, they can be easily injured if there is any trauma to the groin area, such as a stab, kick, or punch. A man with a severe injury may lose the testicle. Undescended testicles (cryptorchidism). When a male fetus develops, his testicles are found in the abdominal cavity. In normal circumstances, they move down to the scrotum (“descend”) before he is born. When this does not happen, the boy is said to have undescended testicles. It’s possible for one or both testicles to be undescended. In some cases, the testicles descend on their own before the boy is six months old. If they don’t descend by then, however, surgery may be required to move them into the scrotum. If a testicle is malformed or damaged, removal might be necessary. Gender-affirmation. Transgender women (individuals who are biologically male but identify as female) may choose to undergo orchidectomy as part of their gender transition process. Other surgery, such as vaginoplasty (surgical creation of a vagina) may also take place during the transition.

Resources

American Cancer Society – “Surgery for Testicular Cancer” (Last revised: May 17, 2018) https://www.cancer.org/cancer/testicular-cancer/treating/surgery.html

YourHormones.info (Society for Endocrinology) – “Testes” (Last reviewed: February 2018) https://www.yourhormones.info/glands/testes/

CancerResearchUK.org – “Surgery to remove your testicles (orchidectomy)” (Last reviewed: June 18, 2019) https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/treatment/surgery/removing-testicles-orchidectomy

Nemours Foundation – “Undescended Testicles” (Reviewed: February 2017) https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cryptorchidism.html

Urology Care Foundation – “How Does Gender-Affirming Surgery Impact Someone’s Urologic Health?” https://www.urologyhealth.org/healthy-living/urologyhealth-extra/magazine-archives/spring-2020/ask-the-experts-how-does-gender-affirming-surgery-impact-someones-urologic-health-x8254

“Testicular Torsion” https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/testicular-torsion

“Testicular Trauma” https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/t/testicular-trauma

What happens if a boy loses his balls?

Medically Reviewed by Murtaza Cassoobhoy, MD on May 27, 2023 3 min read If you’ve been diagnosed with testicular cancer, your doctor has probably talked to you about orchiectomy, surgery to remove one or both testicles. Testicles, or testes, are the male sex organs that make sperm and the hormone testosterone.

• It’s usually needed to treat testicular cancer.
• But it can also help if a testicle is damaged by infection or injury.
• Sometimes it’s part of prostate cancer treatment,
• If doctors suspect testicular cancer, they will likely order an ultrasound test first to check for non-cancer causes.
• Blood tests may also be ordered to help diagnose testicular cancer.

Rather than doing a biopsy of the testes, which can trigger cancer spread, doctors almost always do what’s called a radical inguinal orchiectomy. It’s called “radical” because it removes the spermatic cord along with the testicle and tumor. The cord has blood and lymph vessels that could let the cancer spread to other parts of the body.

In a simple orchiectomy, the doctor only removes one or both testicles. This surgery can ease symptoms, prevent problems from prostate cancer, and treat male breast cancer, In a radical inguinal orchiectomy, your surgeon will make a small cut just above your pubic area. They’ll push your testicle up and remove it through that opening.

The surgery won’t affect your penis or scrotum, the sac that covers your testicles. The surgery usually takes about an hour. The doctor will close the cut with staples or stitches, They’ll take them out a week or so later. You may go home the day of your surgery, or you might have a short hospital stay.

Keep an ice pack or cold compress on your scrotum to ease swelling. It should get better in a few days. Don’t keep the ice on for more than 15 minutes at a time.Your surgeon probably will suggest you wear a jockstrap or snug underwear for a few days to help with swelling, too.Take pain medicine as prescribed. Don’t drive until you’ve stopped taking medicine and your doctor says it’s OK.Your doctor will tell you when you can shower. You’ll have to skip baths and swimming until the cut made during surgery heals.The doctor will show you how to take care of your cut. Check it every day for signs of infection or other problems.Take it easy for a few days after surgery. Don’t lift anything heavy, have sex, or do hard exercise for a few weeks. Follow the directions you get from your doctor.If you had surgery due to cancer, you may have to have chemotherapy or radiation to lower the chances that any leftover cancer cells will spread.

Having one or both testicles removed can change the way you feel about your body. Surgery may affect how you look, your fertility, and your interest in sex. You may be concerned about how you look to a partner or in a locker room. If it’s a problem, you can have surgery to implant an artificial testicle.

• It’s filled with saline and is made to look like the real thing.
• There will be a small scar, but your pubic hair can help hide it.
• If you still have one testicle, you should still be able to get an erection and have sex.
• If both are removed, your body won’t be able to make sperm.
• If you want to have children, you may want to store sperm before the procedure.

Talk to your doctor to plan ahead. Without both testicles, your body won’t be able to make as much testosterone as it needs. That might lower your sex drive and make it harder to have erections. You could have hot flashes, lose some muscle mass, and be more tired than usual.