How to Get Rid of Saggy Balls: Simple Solutions Backed by Science

Sagging testicles are a natural part of getting older that most men will face at some point. Men usually notice the most important changes in their testicles' position by age 50. Many men don't see these changes until their 60s or 70s though.

Your skin loses collagen as you get older, which makes the scrotal layers stretch more. This natural process serves a purpose beyond just appearance. Your testicles need to hang lower and away from your body when temperatures rise. The timing of these changes varies greatly between men, and there's no set age when it starts.

Good news - you have options if you're worried about sagging testicles. This piece will walk you through proven solutions, from simple exercises to medical treatments. On top of that, it might surprise you to learn that some men actually want their testicles to hang lower because it can enhance their sexual experience. We'll look at what's normal, signs that need attention, and treatments that really work for this common condition.

What Causes Saggy Balls?

The phenomenon of saggy balls comes from several biological processes and anatomical features. You'll better understand why this condition is common and normal once you know what causes it.

Age-related skin changes

Natural changes in skin elasticity over time cause saggy testicles. Men's skin loses collagen as they age. This protein keeps skin's structural integrity and elasticity intact. The breakdown of collagen creates thinner, stretchier scrotal skin that hangs lower. Most men notice the most important sagging by their 50s. Others might see these changes in their 60s or 70s.

This process happens everywhere in your body but becomes obvious in areas that hang away from the body. The pull of gravity on scrotal tissues adds to this effect over time. The scrotum's special design means it sags more noticeably with age compared to other body parts.

Temperature regulation and the cremaster muscle

Your testicles hang outside your body for a vital biological reason—they need to stay cool. Your body stays at 98.6°F, but sperm needs a cooler environment between 93.2°F and 97°F to develop properly.

The body uses two main ways to keep this perfect temperature:

1. The cremaster muscle in the spermatic cord contracts or relaxes to move the testicles. This muscle pulls testicles closer when it's cold and lets them hang lower when it's warm.

2. The dartos muscle in the scrotal wall works among other muscles. It makes the scrotum more wrinkled and smaller in cold weather, while letting it relax and hang loose when it's warm[73].

These muscles work like a natural thermostat. Some sagging helps proper reproductive function. This temperature control system responds to weather changes, physical activity, and even emotions like fear or sexual arousal throughout life.

Medical conditions like varicocele

Normal anatomy and aging cause most saggy balls, but some medical conditions can make them sag more. Varicoceles—enlarged veins in the scrotum—affect 15-20% of men and can make testicles hang lower.

Varicoceles happen when valves inside certain veins in the spermatic cord stop working right. This makes blood pool instead of flowing normally. The left side gets affected more because each testicle drains blood differently.

The swollen veins increase blood flow to the testicles and raise their temperature. The body responds by dropping the testicles further down to prevent overheating. Men who have varicoceles might notice one side (usually the left) hanging lower or feel what seems like "a bag of worms" in their scrotum[73].

Hernias and cysts can also cause testicular sagging, though these cases are less common.

Is It Normal or a Problem?

Saggy balls are a normal anatomical feature for most men, not a medical issue. You should know when this sagging needs medical attention and when it's just your body working as intended.

When sagging is harmless

Low-hanging testicles are usually harmless and serve a vital biological purpose. Your scrotum naturally adjusts to keep the optimal temperature for sperm production—about 2-3°C below your core body temperature. This temperature control system plays a key role in reproductive health and fertility.

Your balls might sag due to these normal body responses:

• Environmental factors: Your scrotum hangs lower to cool the testicles on warm days or after exercise
• Post-arousal state: The scrotum relaxes naturally after sexual arousal or ejaculation
• Aging process: Men's skin loses collagen and elasticity as they reach their 50s and 60s
• Genetic factors: Some men naturally have looser scrotal skin from birth

Your testicles' position in the scrotum changes throughout the day based on temperature and activity. These changes help maintain your reproductive health.

Signs you should see a doctor

While sagging is normal, certain symptoms need medical attention. You should see a healthcare provider if you notice:

• Sudden severe testicular pain (this might be testicular torsion, requiring surgery within 6-8 hours)
• Swelling or pain in one or both testicles
• A noticeable lump or hardness in either testicle
• One testicle appears much lower or larger than the other
• A feeling of heaviness or ongoing discomfort
• Testicles that look deflated or have shrunk (possible testicular atrophy)

Mark's story shows when to ask for help: This 47-year-old software developer felt mild discomfort while cycling and noticed increased sagging. His urologist found a small varicocele. Quick action helped reduce his discomfort.

What does saggy balls mean medically?

Some testicular sagging comes with age. Medical conditions that might cause or accompany saggy balls include:

• Varicocele: Enlarged scrotal veins that affect 15-20% of men. These feel like "a bag of worms," usually occur on the left side, and may reduce fertility if untreated
• Hydrocele: A fluid-filled sac around a testicle that needs monitoring but might not cause pain
• Inguinal hernia: Part of the intestine pushes through a weak spot near the groin, causing sudden swelling and discomfort, especially during heavy lifting
• Testicular atrophy: Hormone imbalances can shrink one testicle, making others look more prominent

Low-hanging testicles rarely cause medical problems. Without pain, swelling, or sudden changes, they don't affect ejaculation, orgasm, bladder function, or semen production. Starting self-checks during teenage years helps you know what's normal for your body and spot concerning changes early.

Non-Surgical Ways to Fix Saggy Balls

Natural methods are the quickest way to address saggy balls before you think over surgery. You can improve the appearance and comfort of testicular sagging with non-invasive approaches, from specific exercises to simple lifestyle changes.

Kegel exercises for pelvic support

Your pelvic floor muscles run from your tailbone to your pubic bone. These muscles support your bladder and bowels and play a key role in sexual function. Strong pelvic muscles provide better support for your scrotum and testicles.

Here's how to do Kegels the right way:

1. Identify the right muscles by imagining you're trying to stop urination midstream or prevent passing gas
2. Squeeze these muscles for 5 seconds while breathing normally
3. Relax for 5 seconds
4. Aim for 10 repetitions per session
5. Perform 3 sessions daily (30 total Kegels)

Start with proper technique. You can work up to holding contractions for 10 seconds. A proper Kegel should only use your pelvic floor muscles—keep your buttocks, thighs, and abdomen relaxed. Some experts don't agree whether Kegels directly affect scrotal skin, but these exercises can improve overall pelvic support.

Testicular holding and massage

Testicular holding works by gently pulling downward on your scrotum while you activate your pelvic floor muscles. This exercise helps strengthen the connection between these muscle groups.

Follow these steps for testicle massage:

• Use gentle, circular motions with oil or lotion
• Handle testicles delicately, applying light pressure to the scrotum
• Perform for 5-10 minutes, 2-3 times weekly

Massage boosts blood flow to the area and might improve your skin's health and elasticity. Regular massage helps you know your normal testicular state, making it easier to spot any worrying changes.

How to prevent saggy balls with lifestyle changes

These lifestyle changes can slow down testicular sagging:

• Keep a healthy weight through diet and exercise, since extra body fat leads to sagging skin
• Cut back on alcohol and quit smoking, which speed up skin aging
• Stay active with at least 30 minutes of light exercise daily
• Wear supportive underwear like briefs or boxer briefs for proper positioning
• Stay away from too much heat from saunas or hot baths

Skin care tips to maintain elasticity

Good skin elasticity needs both external care and internal support:

Drink at least 64 ounces of water daily for skin hydration. You can also moisturize the scrotal area with natural, unscented lotions that contain vitamin E or shea butter.

Your diet is vital for skin health. Eat foods rich in:

• Antioxidants from berries and leafy greens
• Vitamins A, B, C, and E
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Collagen-promoting nutrients

Research doesn't strongly support claims about various exercises and techniques for saggy balls. Still, these approaches boost overall health and might slow down natural aging that affects your skin's elasticity.

Surgical Options for Severe Cases

Men with severe or persistent testicular sagging can opt for surgery as a permanent solution if non-surgical methods don't work. A scrotoplasty fixes excessive scrotal skin and improves both function and appearance.

What is scrotoplasty?

Scrotoplasty (also known as scrotal lift or reduction) removes excess scrotal skin and tissue to create a tighter, more appealing look. The surgeon makes an incision along the midline of the scrotal sac, removes sagging tissue, and sometimes tightens the cremaster muscle. The surgery results in a smoother, younger-looking scrotum with less sagging.

The procedure takes about an hour to complete. Surgeons use either local anesthetic or twilight sedation based on the surgery's extent. Fine, dissolvable sutures close the incision and fall off within 3-4 weeks.

When is surgery recommended?

Surgery might be right if you:

• Feel physical discomfort during activities
• Notice interference with sexual function
• Experience psychological distress about appearance
• Have excess skin after major weight loss
• Deal with ongoing problems from conditions like varicocele

The procedure wasn't just created for cosmetic reasons—it helped cancer patients and people with severe genital injuries. Insurance might cover scrotoplasty if it's medically needed, though you'll need preauthorization.

Risks and recovery time

After surgery, you'll notice some swelling, bruising, and minor bleeding for 1-2 weeks. Here's what to expect during recovery:

• You can return to work within 1-3 days
• Swelling goes down after 3 weeks
• Sexual activity can start again after 4 weeks
• Scars heal completely in 3-6 months

Like any surgery, there are risks. These include infection (in 1-2% of patients), wound separation, scarring, urinary tract injury, and changes in sexual comfort. Lifting the scrotum might affect how the cremaster muscle positions the testicles, which could impact fertility in rare cases.

The success of your recovery depends on good post-surgery care. Your surgeon will tell you to wear supportive underwear, use cold compresses, and avoid heavy activities early in your recovery.

Common Myths and What Doesn’t Work

Many men try ineffective remedies because they believe myths about testicular sagging. Let's look at what's true and what's not about saggy balls.

Do tight underwear help?

Most men think wearing tight underwear or compression shorts will stop their testicles from sagging permanently. The truth is supportive underwear lifts the scrotum only while you're wearing it. The lifting effect goes away as soon as you take it off. Briefs or boxer briefs can make you comfortable and reduce friction during activities, but they won't change how elastic your scrotum is or stop natural sagging as time passes.

Wearing tight underwear could actually cause problems. Too much compression can raise your testicles' temperature and might affect sperm production. The best choice is underwear that gives you enough support without squeezing too tight.

Can supplements or creams fix saggy balls?

Marketing claims aside, science hasn't proven that any supplements, herbs, or topical creams can tighten scrotal skin or reverse sagging. Products that claim to "firm" or "tighten" the scrotum don't have any clinical evidence to back them up.

Most creams sold to rejuvenate the scrotum just contain basic moisturizing ingredients that might make skin feel tighter temporarily. Even collagen supplements haven't shown any real benefits for scrotal skin elasticity. You'll get better results from eating foods with skin-healthy nutrients than from specialized supplements.

Why masturbation doesn't affect sagging

A common myth suggests that masturbating too much causes testicles to sag more. Science shows this isn't true at all. How often you masturbate has nothing to do with your skin's elasticity or how well your cremaster muscle works.

Sexual activity of any kind does make the scrotum relax temporarily, but it bounces back quickly and doesn't change its position permanently. Your genes and natural aging process ended up determining how much sagging occurs, much more than any sexual activity does.

Conclusion

Testicle sagging is a natural part of male aging that usually starts around age 50, though timing can vary substantially between men. Your body designed this mechanism to regulate temperature and help sperm production by keeping testicles at just the right temperature.

Most cases of saggy balls are normal and don't need medical treatment. But sudden changes, pain, swelling, or major differences between sides need a doctor's attention right away. These signs could point to conditions like varicocele, hydrocele, or hernias that need treatment.

Men who want improvements without surgery have several options that work well. Kegel exercises can strengthen pelvic floor muscles and might give better scrotal support. It also helps to keep a healthy weight, drink enough water, and wear supportive underwear. While science hasn't fully backed these methods, they're good practices whatever the case.

Some men with severe sagging that causes physical pain or mental stress might think over scrotoplasty. This surgery removes extra scrotal skin to create a tighter look. Surgery comes with risks and recovery time that you should discuss with a qualified urologist before making any decisions.

Without doubt, myths about testicular sagging are everywhere. Tight underwear gives temporary support but won't stop natural aging. No supplements or creams can tighten scrotal skin, despite what ads claim. How often you masturbate isn't connected to sagging - it's nowhere near as important as genetics and aging.

Knowledge about your body's normal changes helps avoid unnecessary worry. Good information, basic self-care, and medical help when needed let you handle concerns about saggy testicles while keeping your reproductive health in check throughout life.