5 Things We Bet You Don't Know About Your Scrotum
It's that fleshy, uber-sensitive sac dangling between your legs, the source of profound pleasure and searing pain. Males become intimately familiar with this part of their anatomy from a very tender age, but you probably don't know some details about the scrotum, other than it hurts like hell to get kicked down there. Here are a few good-to-know factoids that may surprise you.
Your scrotum protects a lot of important stuff
The scrotum houses a surprisingly intricate and delicate network of nerves, blood vessels and tubes that convey sperm from your testicles into your penis. The epididymis is a coiled tube that rests on top of each testicle. It stores sperm along with testicular fluid that helps force sperm through the reproductive tract.
Each testicle is suspended by a spermatic cord that supplies blood and nerves to the epididymis, testicle and vas deferens, the excretory duct for the testicle. The spermatic cord is a structure that houses the spermatic nerve, external and internal spermatic artery and the cremaster muscle, which helps regulate testicular temperature, an important factor in sperm production and male fertility.
For a man intent on having children, scrotal health is vital. Observing a few simple practices will help keep your scrotum safe and in peak operating condition. If you and your partner are trying to conceive, avoid tight-fitting underwear and pants, which may raise scrotal temperature. And take care when you're manscaping down there—try trimming instead of shaving around your scrotum to prevent a very unwanted injury.
A scrotal melanoma is rare but possible
Malignant melanoma of the scrotum may not have a high incidence rate—few cases have ever been reported—but it does happen. The scrotum is skin after all, which means it's vulnerable to skin cancer, particularly if you enjoy getting a truly all-over tan. If that's part of your lifestyle, be sure to give your sack a regular examination and check for lumps and pigmented lesions, especially big ones.
Mula bandha and Kegels can keep the scrotum healthy
As a man ages, the scrotum and the muscles surrounding it need to be strong to prevent urinary leakage (incontinence) and premature ejaculation (PE). The ancient yogic practice of mula bandha—a similar practice is known to most Americans as Kegels—can shore up your scrotal muscles and help keep that fleshy mass healthy. If PE becomes an issue in your sex life, you can try a technique called "ballooning," which involves stopping or slowing stimulation as you near orgasm while doing Kegel exercises, then repeating.
The scrotum is great for storage
Bet you didn't know your scrotum is also a highly efficient storage space. As little spheres, testicles are about 2 inches long by 1.5 inches wide. Unraveled, they're not quite so tiny after all. Each testicle is made up of 800 meters (that's about half a mile) of very tightly coiled seminiferous tubules, where sperm are created.
Scrotal rejuvenation is a trendy procedure
If it's good enough for George Clooney, why not you? The ultra-suave star of screen and stage once joked about having had his "balls ironed," which sounds incredibly painful. It's actually a fairly simple procedure in which a laser tightens or smooths the skin, improves skin tone and removes any little unwanted growths and imperfections. Think of it as a face-lift for your sack, the ultimate male vanity surgery (now you know what to ask for next Christmas).
Protect your package
The next time you're doubled over trying to catch your breath after a jolt to the jewels, take a moment to appreciate the genius of nature's design. That momentary agony is nature's way of reminding you to take good care of the evolutionary marvel between your legs.
