You might have heard people talking about “summer long balls” on social media. This isn’t just silly talk – there’s real science behind why hot weather affects men’s bodies in this way.

What Happens in Hot Weather?

In summer, men might notice that their testicles (the male body parts that make sperm) seem to hang lower than usual. When it gets cold, they move back up closer to the body. This might seem weird, but it’s actually your body being really smart!

Why Do Testicles Move Up and Down?

Think of testicles like a thermostat in your house – they need to stay at just the right temperature to work properly. Here’s the cool science behind it:

Where testicles start: Before boys are born, testicles actually start up inside the belly, in the same place where girls’ ovaries stay. But testicles need to be cooler than the inside of the body to make sperm properly.

The big move: During development (usually in the teenage years when people say “your voice drops”), testicles move down and outside the body into a special pouch called the scrotum. This pouch hangs outside the body where it’s cooler.

Why they need to be cool: The inside of your body is about 98.6°F (37°C), but testicles work best when they’re about 2-3 degrees cooler. That’s why they moved outside the body in the first place!

The Body’s Amazing Temperature Control System

Your body has two special muscles that help control testicle temperature:

1. The Cremasteric Muscle

This muscle can pull testicles up closer to the body when it’s cold, kind of like pulling on a sweater. There’s even a cool trick to test this: if you gently touch the inside of your thigh, the testicle on that side should move up slightly!

2. The Dartos Muscle

This muscle is in the scrotum itself. When it’s cold, it contracts (gets tight) and pulls everything up for warmth. When it’s hot, it relaxes and lets everything hang down to cool off.

Why This Matters for Health

This temperature control is super important for:

Making healthy sperm: If testicles get too hot for too long, they can’t make good sperm. This is why:

• Tight underwear might not be the best choice for men trying to have babies

• Some doctors tell men to wear looser boxers instead

• Too much bike riding in tight shorts might cause problems (though scientists are still studying this)

Preventing problems: Sometimes testicles don’t move down properly before birth, and they get stuck inside the body where it’s too hot. Doctors can fix this with surgery.

Other Cool Body Features

The pampiniform plexus: This is a fancy name for a network of blood vessels around testicles that work like a car radiator. They cool down the blood before it reaches the testicles, helping keep them at the right temperature.

Varicoceles: Sometimes these blood vessels get swollen and feel like a “bag of worms.” This happens to about 15% of men and usually isn’t dangerous, but it can sometimes affect the temperature control system.

What About “Summer Long Balls”?

So when people talk about “summer long balls,” they’re actually describing your body’s natural air conditioning system at work! In hot weather:

1. The dartos muscle relaxes

2. The scrotum gets looser

3. Testicles hang lower to stay cool

4. This helps them work properly even when it’s hot outside

Is This Normal?

Yes! If you notice this happening, it means your body is working exactly like it’s supposed to. It’s not a problem – it’s actually a sign that your body’s temperature control system is doing its job perfectly.

Some people might feel uncomfortable or self-conscious about this, especially when wearing swimwear. Supportive underwear can help if it bothers you, but remember – this is completely normal and healthy.

The Bottom Line

The human body is amazing at keeping itself working properly. The way testicles move up and down with temperature changes is just one example of how smart our bodies are at taking care of themselves.

So if you notice changes during hot summer weather, don’t worry – your body is just doing what it’s designed to do to stay healthy!

Original article: “Summer long balls? A health expert explains why hot weather can be tough on testicles” by Dan Baumgardt, The Conversation

Provided by: The Conversation