5 Sex 'Myths' That Are Totally True (And 4 'Facts' That Are Nonsense)

3. Guys Get Blue Balls If They Don't Have Sex

True

There's always the sneaking suspicion amongst women that the concept of blue balls was an excuse and/or guilt trip. It is, however, a genuine phenomenon, so, sorry boys.

Well, half sorry, because the science says that it's by no means the life-threatening condition that some people make it out to be.

If a dude finds himself in a period of prolonged sexual arousal, without any kind of release, he can experience pain in the bollock region, thought to be caused by the blood trapped there by vasoconstriction. Although not a well-studied subject, a suggested diagnosis of epididymal hypertension, just incase you wanted a fancy way of saying that your balls hurt.

The condition can be treated with the immediate release of arousal, the most obvious route being the Big O. The good (or bad, depending on how you look at it) news, however, is that it can be treated without orgasm.

One way to soothe your blue balls, is to do a bit of exercise, specifically weight training. It's thought that this redirects blood to the major blood groups as "making sure the heavy thing doesn't crush you" trumps "potentially having sex" in evolutionary terms

If you don't fancy all of that exertion, you could always try the Valsalva manoeuvre, which can apparently stimulate the vagus nerve and ease your pain.