Blue balls is a phenomena that you’ve probably heard of. The idea that staying hard for too long without cumming will give you blue balls is a bit of a sexual legend.
When a girl is teasing you without it getting any further, you might have heard the phrase, “She’s giving you blue balls.” But rather than just referring to a woman playing hard to get, it’s thought that blue balls is more than just an urban myth.
Blue balls is meant to be the extreme consequence of keeping an erection without ejaculating. This is thought to lead to men experiencing pain and aching in their testes. With extreme cases being reported to include a blueish tinge to their skin. (Due to blood being present which has discoloured or bruised.)
Some people believe blue balls is linked to the sexual fetish of edging. Edging is a sexual practice intends to delay or outright prevent orgasm. As such some people think that edging will increase the risk of developing blue balls, properly known as epididymal hypertension (EH).
Edging
‘Edging’ as it’s known, is a sexual technique used to gradually bring yourself to the edge of orgasm before stopping. This can be done over a few minutes, an hour or even hours of pleasurable torture. Some people think that this fetish is more likely to lead to men experiencing blue balls.
It’s not a sexual practice exclusive to BDSM culture. Although many dominatrixes do use edging as a method of teasing and ‘torturing’ their submissive or cuckold. It can apply to men and women although is usually done on a male partner.
Edging links into orgasm control and denial as well as being used by men who want to extend their erection either during masturbation or with a partner. When you’re having sex with your girlfriend, you might find yourself deliberately bringing her close to orgasm before leaving her hanging. This is the equivalent of edging for females.
Edging – Orgasm Control/Denial
By being able to control orgasm, some people explore orgasm denial. If you’re sometimes more submissive in the bedroom, a dominant partner may enjoy edging you close and then denying your climax. It can be especially fun during tie and tease games of bondage or done in combination with spanking as a kind of punishment play.
Some people think orgasm control/denial might lead to blue balls. Urban myth suggests that having an erection for too long without cumming will cause you to have blue balls. Often men who don’t climax after a long erection can become uncomfortable due to the delay.
It is safe to experiment with orgasm denial/edging as long as you’re sensible about your limits. If you begin to experience discomfort, aching or notice any discolouration in your genital area, you should stop your activities. Prolonging your erection through orgasm control methods doesn’t have to be negative.
Is blue balls really a thing?
Blue balls is arguably a real thing that men and women can experience. Being aroused for a longer period without relieving the pressure through climax may result in discomfort and heaviness around the genitals. Although it is unlikely to happen without the arousal being deliberately extended.
It seems to be that blue balls is more common as a turn of phrase than anything else. But if you do experience having blue balls, Medical News Today confirms the symptoms and what to do if you experience it.
Having sex or masturbating without an orgasm is unlikely to cause you to have blue balls. If you do get ‘blue balls’, distract yourself by doing a non-sexual activity or have a solo orgasm. At worst, you’ll likely only feel a mild level of discomfort and maybe disappointment.