WARNING: There are graphic pictures in this blog.
I will be completely honest, I was asked about a surgical procedure this weekend that I didn’t know existed; I should have known it existed, but seeing as I am not a man and I don’t think about these things, why would I know about scrotum reduction surgery? It seems like you can get everything else nipped and tucked, so why not your scrotum! I also had no idea how much the average man worries about this issue.
Why does my scrotum hang?
To make it simple, there is a muscle completely responsible for your scrotum to tighten and loosen up (the testicles need to be about 2 degrees colder than the body so that your sperm can swim, live, and be merry.) Your scrotum helps to regulate that by moving them closer to your body when they are super cold (think jumping into the cold ocean) and when they are getting toasty (after a long hot shower…..or run.) The lovely muscle in charge? The cremaster muscle. It is a two sided muscle that runs from the internal obliques, to under the testicles. Unfortunately, just like any other muscle, and with that constant pull of gravity, it can lose muscle tone with age, and just start to droop. It’s a bummer, but it’s part of the aging process. It seems that there are no true “medical” issues that arise from this issue, but it is more of an aesthetic issue, although I hear a lot of complaints about inner thigh irritation, skin ” sticking” to thighs, etc causing a lot of discomfort …. and quite honestly, awkward situations.
What can I do to prevent it?
The good news for all you men out there, you can do Kegel exercises (I have blogged extensively already, so click the link and check it out if you are interested) but hey help to keep that cremaster muscle in shape; like yoga for your scrotum. Just bear with me, dig deep, and get through it! If kegels don’t work, and you feel like they are really causing you discomfort and you just don’t dog staring at a sagging scrotum sack, there are surgical options: scrotal reduction.
What’s the deal with scrotal reduction?
Really, all that happens is that the excess skin of the scrotum is cut off (surgically they say the skin is “excised” but all that means is they remove it by cutting it off). It is a relatively minor surgery, and is usually one day surgery, meaning that you have the procedure (30 minutes to an hour), recover from anesthesia, and go home later that day. The recovery period is usually 4-5 days, because the more you rest the area and allow it to heal, the better the results will be from the surgery; but immediately after the surgery you will have bruising, swelling, and some small scars (all of which will fade/go away over time). But of course, like any surgery, there are risks associated with it, like bleeding, infection, poor wound healing (it can re-open), and chronic pain (from nerve damage). If the muscle is damaged in any way during surgery, it may create an issue with muscle mobility which can lead to sterility or decreased viability of sperm (they may be too hot or too cold in the scrotum- apparently sperm is very finicky!) And, if you have any chronic medical conditions, it may make anesthesia more difficult for you, so you will have to be pre-screened and possibly get a letter from your Primary HCP stating that you are fit for surgery. Most insurance will not cover this surgery, it is considered cosmetic, so be ready for a hefty bill (It can cost $850-2000 depending on who you go to, their experience, etc.)
If you are having changes due to age, or you feel like you are having problems with your scrotum, it is worth it to go talk to your HCP and see if this is right for you. If you have the means, are prepared for the complications versus what you deal with day to day, this may be beneficial for you and your lifestyle…..but try the kegels first, won’t you??
Yours in Good Health
B
How much(inches?) is normal and too low for a scrotum to hang?
it depends on the person; if it causes you pain or discomfort, then you should talk to your HCP
My scrotum hangs much lower than that “pre-op” picture, about 15cm down from my crotch.
I am surprised though as I thought that the “pre-op” picture was kind of “normal”, not that it was saggy even on that height/level! When are balls too saggy then?
I was always a bit conscious about it being so saggy, I did not know that surgery was possible. It does not cause any pain unless I sit on them, but it is pretty uncomfortable when sitting in toilets and makes me feel a bit embarrassed.
I also worry that they will continue dropping as I’m 28 years old.
Hey Nick- sorry about the delayed response- you were sent to spam! I obviously don’t have testicles and there is no true “normal” its whatever is comfortable to you (I didn’t have a lot of options for a pre-op picture that wouldn’t completely scare the wits out of people!), and if they are causing you discomfort or sag more with time, surgery might be something you want to think about. Honestly, it is nothing to be embarrassed about, your partner digs you for who you are- if you want to look into alternatives to make your scrotum more comfortable, the is a great conversation with your Healthcare Practitioner, but it is nothing to be embarrassed about (it’s kind of the cool thing about human bodies that they are all so different!!)
Yes, I suffer from this, I went to my doctor and he suggested I get this done. I am 30 years old and when warm my testicles hang 6″ from my crotch, that is quite literally halfway to my knees and it is very embarrassing and uncomfortable (toilets are the worst). My testicles are not particularly big, maybe a tiny big on the large side but nothing as exaggerated by any means. They always were long hanging but I noticed them getting lower through my mid 20s.
When they get cold they do retract normally also after ejaculation it is just when relaxed/warm that they distend so much.
I used to wear boxers as a teenager, but most of my 20s I wore briefs with very little effect really.
My doctor said that I had a light case of varicocele, but nothing bad other than that my testicles and rest of genitalia are healthy, just very “elongated” in general (my penis is also rather large also when soft)
Did you have the surgery? If so, I think that a lot oft he readers here who have questions would benefit from your experience!
I’m sure you can do these “stomach vacuum” exercises which contract your transversus abdominis. I tried these because I had a protruding belly but the first thing I noticed was that my testicles were yanked up by the muscle group being used during the exercise. I’m sure with a couple sets every day the scrotum will start pulling back up along with a set of tight abs! I also have drooping jewels so maybe this exercise will help others too 🙂
you may want to be careful, see if it helps….but it’s usually a skin and gravity issue as opposed to a muscle atrophy problem.
is there anything my wifes mouth can do to help reduce the amount of scrotum skin hanging
unfortunately no….but you are more than welcome to spin some sort of tale and see if she buys it!
I too did the stomach vacuum thing too but it only made my balls hang lower
Billy Joe, the theory is that it will help tighten muscles and ligaments with stomach vacuuming, but it’s more theory than fact. 🙁
I read the part above about testicles moving closer to the body when it’s cold. That happens to me also. Yet, after a hot bath my testicles and skin actually droop down at there most extreme rather than close to me like when it’s cold. Is that normal? I also wish there were more pictures to compare to pre op because I agree with someone above who said they thought the pre op guy was the norm? I tend to look like the guy pre op and I always thought that was normal myself. Now it has me wondering if I should consider surgery because if I’m not the norm, perhaps a girl might think I’m not normal. I hope that makes sense, sorry for the rambling. And great blog btw, for informative.
Thank you! So, firstly, I would like to tell you that there is all sorts of normal out there. And if there is no discomfort and there are no problems with your testicles/scrotum, then do NOT worry about it at all and please do not think about surgery! Surgery would only be needed if there is a change in your scrotum that causes pain or discomfort. If a girl has a problem with your body the way it is, then she’s not the girl for you. The cool thing about bodies is that they are all different, I know it can be frustrating at times, but if you are truly concerned that there is something wrong with your body I would talk to your HCP, but honestly, I am sure that your body is just fine the way it is 🙂 (Also, testicles pull up and then droop to autoregulate their temperature so they can keep your sperm at an appropriate temperature- so that’s a good thing!!)
Also, I wanted to ask about the picture. I saw that line on his penis and was freaking out a bit. I never saw anyone else who had that. He has the same exact line, in the exact same spot, shape, color that I have. I thought only I had that. And that it was a birth mark. But now it has me wondering if any other guys have that also? I mean what are the odds?
That is very common in circumsized men- no need to worry 🙂
Thanks so much for the replies. I actually feel a lot better about it now and have decided your right. I am going to just pass on the surgery because it’s not worth it. I don’t have any pain or anything so I don’t want to take the risk. I actually feel better knowing other guys have the same mark from circumcision. Thanks again for the reply, and great blog in general. Look forward to reading more articles from you!
I’m so glad!! And thank you! 🙂
I just wanted to stop bye and let everyone know that I had the Scrotum Tuck surgery. If any one has any questions you can ask. Although, each person responds differently to the surgery. I have also started a tumbler page to help out any guys who are questioning the surgery. I will probably be posting posting pictures from before the surgery and after so you can get an idea if you think it’s worth it to get that kind of reduction or change.
Thank you Jake! I am sure that is very helpful to a lot of men!!
How do you find your tumbler page? How was surgery? Did it help on the saggy part?
Hello I have tried both the kegel exercises and the stomach vacuum.In doing these exercises they bring the balls up closer to the body witch in turn heats them up and then they really hang.However after time to do seem to tighten up I know mine have.
I just thought I would try to help.
Hello thanks for this post.As I am getting close to 40 I would like to find a way to combat the sagging.
I consider you lucky. I’m 60 and my balls are tight as ever. I like to be able have my balls dangle between my legs.
I would still be sitting on mine. Even after surgery. So I will not be having procedure done. It would not solve my problum.
My biggest problem has always been low hanging testicles… especially during sex when I’m going at it. I’ve even suffered painful ‘twisted testicle’. But I just couldn’t dare have surgery.
I will say this im 30 years old and happen to pride myself on my low rider balls, they used to be i guess what everyone would consider normal until i had a vasectomy now they hang so low i almost need to throw them over my shoulder .. jk not that bad but like i said, to me and a grip of lady friends i have acquired over the years happen to like the low hangin ball sac syndrome she says she loves them and calls them her favorite lowrider nuts halleluja hollaback,… i guess all that matters is to be proud of who you are, your unique qualities and tye things that make u different from the last guy she dated such as low hanging nuts and or a large weiner the chicks seriously seem to actually dig differences.. nobody wants what everybody else already has its all about those custom nuts i guess haha