Epididymal hypertension (EH), informally referred to as blue balls for males or blue vulva for females, is a

harm Harm is a morality, moral and law, legal concept with multiple definitions. It generally functions as a synonym for evil or anything that is bad under certain moral systems. Something that causes harm is harmful, and something that does not is har ...

less but uncomfortable sensation in the genital regions during a prolonged state of

sexual arousal Sexual arousal (also known as sexual excitement) describes the Physiology, physiological and psychological responses in preparation for sexual intercourse or when exposed to Sexual stimulation, sexual stimuli. A number of physiological response ...

. It usually resolves within hours unless relieved through an

orgasm Orgasm (from Greek , ; "excitement, swelling"), sexual climax, or simply climax, is the sudden release of accumulated sexual excitement during the sexual response cycle, characterized by intense sexual pleasure resulting in rhythmic, involu ...

. In females, the discomfort occurs in the

erectile tissue Erectile tissue is tissue in the body with numerous vascular spaces, or cavernous tissue, that may become engorged with blood. However, tissue that is devoid of or otherwise lacking erectile tissue (such as the labia minora, vestibule, vagina and ...

and

clitoris In amniotes, the clitoris ( or ; : clitorises or clitorides) is a female sex organ. In humans, it is the vulva's most erogenous zone, erogenous area and generally the primary anatomical source of female Human sexuality, sexual pleasure. Th ...

of the

vulva In mammals, the vulva (: vulvas or vulvae) comprises mostly external, visible structures of the female sex organ, genitalia leading into the interior of the female reproductive tract. For humans, it includes the mons pubis, labia majora, lab ...

. In males, the phenomenon results in an uncomfortable testicular sensation. It most often describes a temporary fluid congestion in the

testicles A testicle or testis ( testes) is the gonad in all male bilaterians, including humans, and is homologous to the ovary in females. Its primary functions are the production of sperm and the secretion of androgens, primarily testosterone. The ...

or vulva, caused by prolonged

without orgasm. The term ''epididymal hypertension'' is derived from the

epididymis The epididymis (; : epididymides or ) is an elongated tubular genital organ attached to the posterior side of each one of the two male reproductive glands, the testicles. It is a single, narrow, tightly coiled tube in adult humans, in length; ...

, a part of the

male reproductive system The male reproductive system consists of a number of sex organs that play a role in the process of human reproduction. These organs are located on the outside of the body, and within the pelvic cavity, pelvis. The main male sex organs are the hu ...

. The term is also applied to females despite the lack of an epididymis in female anatomy. Professor Caroline Pukall, who co-wrote the first in-depth study on EH, has suggested using the term ''throbbing crotch syndrome''. The term "blue balls" is thought to have originated in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, first appearing in 1916. Though lesser known, the equivalent of this phenomenon in females is informally referred to as "blue vulva", among other names. It is not to be confused with the inability to orgasm or the masturbatory practice of edging.

Research

The phenomenon is sometimes associated with males who are experiencing and practicing delayed, multiple, or inhibited ejaculation. There is scant information on the phenomenon in scientific literature. This is curious given that awareness of the condition goes back centuries, with many barely remembered terms having been applied to it between the early 18th through early 20th centuries. The treatment is to achieve

, or alternatively strain to move a very heavy object—in essence doing a

Valsalva maneuver The Valsalva maneuver is performed by a forceful attempt of exhalation against a closed airway, usually done by closing one's mouth and pinching one's nose shut while expelling air, as if blowing up a balloon. Variations of the maneuver can be ...

Causes

The cause of epididymal hypertension is a large amount of blood circulation to the genital area, specifically the penis and testicles, without the release of tension associated with orgasm and ejaculation. When a large amount of blood flows to the genital region, the penis becomes erect and the testicles also experience increased blood flow and swelling. In the vulva, the blood flow increases in erectile tissue, causing it to expand. After orgasm, the tissue shrinks back to its initial size as most of the blood leaves. When this does not occur, it can cause mild discomfort.

Symptoms

The following indications and symptoms may be experienced by both sexes: * heaviness * aching * discomfort or mild pain

References

External links

"Understanding Male Sexuality"

by DiscoveryHealth.com writers
"Blue Balls"
by Paul Aitken at AltPenis.com on vasocongestion {{DEFAULTSORT:Blue Balls Mammal male reproductive system

Research

Causes

Symptoms

See also

References

External links