Ballmaxxing: Doctors Say ‘Stop Injecting Fluids Into Your Testicles’

What is ballmaxxing?

Also known as scrotal inflation, ballmaxxing involves injecting saline — a sodium chloride solution commonly used in wound care, dehydration treatment, and IV drips — into the scrotum, triggering swelling that makes the testicles appear larger.

Some individuals also use Surgilube, a medical-grade sterile surgical lubricant typically used to reduce friction during procedures.

So, why are men doing this?

A few reasons.

The first has an unlikely connection to elite sport. According to a BBC report, male ski jumpers at the Winter Olympics were allegedly receiving genital injections to enlarge their testicles in an effort to improve their jumps.

Beyond performance, some men report feeling more masculine and confident, while others believe women prefer larger testicles. Fetishism is another factor — ballmaxxing may enhance sexual pleasure for some.

Ballmaxxing vs ‘Scrotox’

The two are not the same. Scrotox involves Botox injections into the scrotum to smooth wrinkles, reduce excessive sweating, relieve chronic pain, and create a lower-hanging appearance — and to prevent the testicles from tightening during sex.

Is ballmaxxing safe?

“Physicians have called ballmaxxing one of the most reckless body modification trends to emerge from male online communities, warning that the temporary size increase often leads to permanent damage.” — Robert Glatter, MD, Healthline

Dr. Glatter, an attending physician in Emergency Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital and Assistant Professor at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, explains that the scrotum’s delicate architecture — housing the testicles, blood vessels, and nerves — simply cannot accommodate fluid distension. The risks compound quickly: infection, abscess formation, nerve damage, and compromised blood flow that can ultimately impair testicular function.

“In other words, the very organs someone is trying to ‘enhance’ can be permanently damaged in the process.”

Adding another layer of danger, most of these procedures never happen in a clinical setting. Instead, men are turning to unregulated kits bought online and performing the procedure at home.

Inflammation and disfigurement are just some of the risks

“Others may purchase materials from underground sources, which may contain toxic materials that are not only harmful but also unsterile, increasing the risk of severe infection, sepsis, and the need for surgical intervention with potential permanent disfigurement.”

Saline isn’t inherently dangerous — it’s used routinely in medicine. But the amount administered is always carefully monitored, and without medical supervision, that control disappears entirely.

Surgilube presents a different problem. Unlike saline, the body cannot break it down, meaning it persists as a foreign substance — triggering ongoing inflammation, tissue breakdown, and disfigurement.

How to safely enlarge testicles

If you’re intent on increasing testicular size, the first step is consulting a board-certified urologist. A medical specialist will provide qualified, individualized advice.

It’s worth noting that testicular atrophy — an age-related condition where the testicles shrink, affecting sperm production and testosterone levels — can cause decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and loss of muscle and body hair. Treatment typically includes hormone replacement therapy, antibiotics, and lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol and quitting smoking.

A culture of self-optimization?

From a purely aesthetic standpoint, saline-filled prosthetic testicular implants are a legitimate surgical option — typically offered to those who have lost a testicle, restoring physical symmetry and supporting body image.

But for men with no medical need, the desire to enlarge the scrotum points to something broader: a culture of relentless self-optimization, and the same body image pressures women have navigated for centuries now bearing down on men.

That distinction matters. There’s a meaningful difference between self-improvement and self-destruction — and as these trends gain traction, so does the urgency of creating real resources that support men’s mental health and sense of self-worth.

Want to know more?

Ballmaxxing may be perceived as a shortcut to masculinity — but true strength, I’d argue, comes from vulnerability. June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and with Father’s Day falling right in the middle of it, there’s no better time to talk about dads’ mental health.

MAIN IMAGE CREDIT: Photo by Ân Văn Trịnh Thiên/Pixels