Any guy who has gotten a little too excited without hitting the big finish - so basically every guy - knows what blue balls are. A slang term for too much sexual excitement without reaching ejaculation, blue balls may cause discomfort and soreness that can last from a few minutes to several hours, depending on how aroused he became. Though many men may feel like blue balls are an emergency medical situation, there may really be no need to run off to the hospital to remedy the situation. Learn more about this sexual phenomenon and how to keep the penis healthy.

Aren’t blue balls just a made-up way for guys to get sex?

While it’s true that some guys may make the lame excuse that they need to have sex after a night of fooling around -- lest they get blue balls - it is in fact an actual condition. Though, the severity of the discomfort may be exaggerated by some men in an attempt to gain sympathy, it is not entirely in a man’s head. Blue balls are created when a man hits a certain level of arousal, which obviously causes a rush of blood and an erection. Because of the way a man’s bedroom parts work, blood typically flows very slowly out of a firm penis, nature has done men this little favor to ensure they stay hard until the deed is done. Of course, once he has climaxed, the blood exits the area very quickly returning his penis to a flaccid state. When the action for a man stops abruptly without ejaculation, therefore, it takes a much longer time for the blood to leave the area, which is what causes an uncomfortable sensation in his nether region.

Where does the name come from?

Well, not only can it feel like his most sensitive body part is black and blue, some men’s balls do take on a bluish tinge. No, the condition does not actually cause bruising to the area, but the blood being held back in his testicles may be slightly oxygen-deprived and therefore not the bright red blood that most of us are accustomed to seeing from a scrape or cut.

Will getting blue balls too often harm his goods?

Sorry, guys; though it seems like a good way to guarantee that a frisky night ends in the big bang, blue balls are not going to cause irreparable damage to the twig and berries. While blood staying in the area a little longer than usual will not cause damage, if a man experiences an erection that won’t quit after 4 hours or more, he should seek medical attention, because he could be experiencing priapism, or a prolonged erection that can cause pain and tissue damage to the area. However, a simple case of blue balls hurts nothing, apart from, perhaps, a man’s ego.

Keeping the penis healthy

Luckily, men who are suffering from blue balls can do something to make the pain go away. Simply put, they can try to take matters into their own hands. Sure, a sexy encounter with a partner may be the preferred method, but if that is not an option, he may have to rely on his own devices to relieve the tension. After a round of play, and after every shower, a man should add a penis vitamin lotion to his daily grooming routine (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) . Choosing a lotion containing Acetyl L Carnitine may also enhance sexual pleasure, as this powerful ingredient can actually improve nerve functioning, making the entire experience that much better. A product with high-quality moisturizers such as Shea butter can also enhance the overall look and feel of the package, as well as preventing subtle damage to the skin that can lead to loss of sensation over time.