Doctors challenge severe warning to blokes tanning their testicles in social media craze
Men are being urged not to balls up their health by taking part in a bizarre social media trend which sees blokes bronzing their bits
Don’t risk your health by taking part in the trend(Image: Getty Images)
Doctors have warned blokes not to make a balls-up by tanning their testicles. They fear that fellas following a social media craze of bronzing their bits could cause lasting damage.
Dr Jeff Foster said the bizarre trend might actually hinder your chances of having kids as it makes your sperm less active.
He explained: “It might be gaining traction on social media, but your testicles don’t need regular exposure to the sunshine.
“There’s no scientific evidence that sunbathing them boosts testosterone or supercharges fertility – despite what some influencers might claim.
“In fact, extra heat (and UV exposure) can raise scrotal temperature, and sperm production works best slightly below body temperature. That is the reason why testicles sit outside your body.”
Dr Foster is the Men’s Health Medical Director at digital healthcare provider Voy who revealed that social media searches for ‘fertility help’ have doubled on the past week on TikTok, jumping from 219,000 to 535,000.
He has been sharing other tips aside from avoiding the tanning trend in order to help their “sperm maxxing” campaign to increase the conversation boosting reproductive health – including avoiding ice baths and cycling.
Dr Foster added: “Just like too much heat is bad, extreme cold isn’t a magic fertility booster either.
“While keeping the testicles slightly cooler than body temperature (like avoiding very tight underwear) helps sperm production, dunking them in ice or taking extreme cold plunges won’t improve sperm count or testosterone.
“Sudden or extreme cold can actually increase tissue stress which in turn affects sperm quality.
“Cycling is great for overall health, but long or intense sessions without breaks can put pressure on the groin and increase heat around the testicles.
“If you cycle regularly, consider taking breaks, wearing well-fitted padded shorts, and ensuring your bike seat is properly adjusted to reduce pressure and overheating.”
