We’ve all heard the term “blue balls,” right? For girls, we start hearing that phrase in high school from over eager boyfriends trying to get us to “go all the way.” I’ll admit that I’ve always thought it was a made up condition, a phantom menace that was used often but only worked on girls that weren’t very bright. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that blue balls is a real medical condition! 
…Excuse me while I make a few phone calls and apologize for endless hours of unfulfilled teasing and heavy petting in my teen years.
Ok, I’m back and feeling a bit more humble. Let’s get all sciency for a minute, shall we? Blue balls is a slang term to describe the condition of temporary fluid congestion (vasocongestion, for you smarty pants) in the testicles. Some urologists call the condition “epididymal hypertension.” What does this mean, you ask? Well, when a man gets aroused, blood flows to the penis and scrotum, causing everything to become engorged; the penis hardens as it is filled with blood, and the testicles increase in size. And while all that blood is rushing in to get the man ready for sex, the veins carrying blood away from the genital area are more constricted, allowing for more blood to stay right where it needs to be at the crucial time.
Now that his naughty bits are standing at attention and ready for action, it becomes increasingly necessary for him to ejaculate. When a man reaches orgasm and ejaculates, the arteries and veins return to their normal size, the volume of blood in the genitals is reduced and the penis and testicles return to their usual size. However, if a man remains aroused for an extended period of time without finding release, the pressure could lead to a dull aching pain, a sensation of heaviness, or general discomfort in their testicles. Although many men have used this term to get the goods, so to speak, the condition is not experienced by all men, nor is it as common as women are made to believe. Furthermore, medical research on the topic is scant; it wasn’t until an article by Chalett and Nerenberg in Pediatrics 2000 that formal data was presented concluding that “[t]he treatment is sexual release.”
And while guys are quick to use the condition as an excuse for continued stimulation until the ultimate release is had, it’s not a male-only experience. That’s right! Step aside and make room for the ladies on that blue ball soap box you guys are always shouting from! Women’s genitals also become engorged with blood during sexual arousal, and like men, women can experience pelvic pain and aching if they do not reach orgasm. So for all you ladies out there that are left wanting more and in desperate need of release, it’s your turn to play the blue ball card. Tell him that you’ll get sick if he doesn’t make you cum. Tell him it could shrivel up and become unusable if it’s not treated properly! But be prepared to hear the same after you shamelessly tease him and then leave him panting for more!
