Experts explain what men can do if they suffer from 'summer long balls' that can have major health impact

Experts have explained what men can do if they suffer from ‘summer long balls’.

And yes, that really is a genuine ‘condition’. I mean, it might not be the formal, medical name, but it’s still a real thing that sees a change to the testicles during the summer months.

Basically, it refers to when blokes experience a pump up in ball size when the weather is particularly hot and as you can imagine, it’s hardly comfortable.

But more importantly than feeling a bit funny, it can also have a major impact to people’s health.

It can even result in needing surgery as treatment. Although, generally, it’s just a bit of a weird phenomenon men experience each year before it just goes into its own hibernation.

Feeling bigger yet? (Getty Stock)

What are summer long balls?

Summer long balls come about when the body self-regulates for the warmer climates, with the testicles ensuring they’re at optimal temperature for sperm production

Urologist Anika Ackerman explained to The Cut: “When it’s a cold environment, the testicles move toward the body, and the scrotum tenses up.”

And in a warm environment, it’s the opposite.

“The scrotum relaxes and the testicles move away from the body,” Ackerman added.

So, the testicles don’t necessarily get bigger but move further away from the body.

Another urologist, Yaniv Larish, reckons a big proportion of the cases are actually just men with enlarged veins within the scrotum.

“When you have a varicocele, the blood is not moving around efficiently, so instead of circulating around the testicle and pulling the heat away, it’s pooling up and actually insulating the testicle at an elevated temperature,” he explained.

Varicoceles (the enlarged veins) are usually harmless but in some cases, they can be linked to decreased fertility.

Feeling the heat? (Getty Stock)

What can men do if they suffer from summer long balls?

So, in those rare cases where the Varicoceles are causing wider problems, they can be treated with minor surgery.

But in general, there’s things men can do if they suffer from the temporary testi change.

Basically, the hotter the environment, the worse and therefore, it’s recommended to stay in cool or air-conditioned places as much as possible.

Ackerman even recommended a product called ‘Nutiscles’ and that’s basically just an ice pack for the balls. However, that is mainly for men who’ve had vasectomies.

To the lads with testicles, the main thing to know is that it really is just temporary. Once it gets cooler, so long to the summer long balls.

But if you find they’re sticking around and causing you particular discomfort, it’s worth seeing your GP.