It's 1 November, so it's time to put the Christmas tree up (jokes). For some people, however, the first day of the month marks the return of 'No Nut November'.
The trend that's gained traction on social media over the years encourages people (mainly men) to go through the whole month of November without sex or masturbation.
Some people that take part say it comes with a load of health benefits, like reduced erectile dysfunction, increased happiness and boosted confidence.
Yet others believe that can lead to many issues, one or perhaps two of them being 'blue balls'.
Advert
If you don't have a w*nk this month, you'll be glad to know that - despite the rumours - they won't resemble a Smurf.
However, they may have a bit of a blue tinge due to the blood circulation rushing to the genitals and engorging your veins.
With an eyebrow-raising name and a track record of making grown men grimace in pain, it's no wonder we're scared of them.
But ignore all the horror stories you heard in high school, as its reputation as a dangerous condition is a bit dramatic.
Basically, blue balls refers to a painful sensation some men experience after prolonged sexual arousal without orgasming.
Some blokes describe is at as a strange ache, a feeling of heaviness, or straight up discomfort in their testicles.
Officially known as epididymal hypertension, it occurs when there's an increase in blood flow to your genitals when you're aroused which brings about an erection.
The veins that typically take blood away from the genitals restrict and trap it there.
When you ejaculate and you've hit the peak of arousal, the blood vessels return to their usual size and everything goes back down to normal.
But if you don't release this build-up of pressure, the blood flow will be uncomfortably inflating your genitals.
Although blue balls are uncomfortable, it's not actually dangerous and usually doesn't last long. The tenderness of your testicles should subside once the erection has passed and blood flow returns to normal.
There is obviously a DIY method to sort this out, that I'm sure you don't need me to remind you about. But if you're stuck in a public place with blue balls, you can always try distracting your mind to get rid of them instead.
Medical News Today recommends taking a cold shower to help restrict blood flow to the genitals or lying down to help divert it away from the testicles.
You could also try exercising to encourage normal blood flow around the body, lifting something heavy to exert pressure elsewhere, or applying a warm compress to ease the pain.
If it's really that bad, you might be better taking some over-the-counter pain relief to make yourself more comfortable.
Topics: Dating trends, Sex and Relationships
Anish Vij