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What Happens To The Testicles When One Sits Down?

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Posted on Mon, 7 Sep 2015
Question: Hi there, recently I got nervous because I sit for hours at a time at my job, and although I know that it is smart to take frequent breaks and to stretch the muscles (and even use a standing desk at times), I got nervous that my testicles might be somehow affected by all of this sitting. I don't feel any testicular pain at all, and never have, but it would be great if you could briefly explain the medical/physiological aspect of what happens to the testicles when one sits down, just to ease my worries a bit. What I predict happens is that they simply move forward alongside the penis, and that the scrotum may get stretched a bit, but that the actual testes are not being affected in any negative way. And, just to doublecheck - men are not really sitting on their testicles, but rather on the buttocks and thighs, is that correct? Furthermore, please ease my mind by explaining that there is no major pressure or circulatory issues with the testicles when a man sits down. Being that I enjoy sitting (as I’m sure most men do) this would be a great help. It seems that in modern society, we are sitting for so much of the day and night that I thought I would ask this question. Overall, my assumption is that it is safe for men to sit for long periods of time, and poses no health threat, but that one should do physical exercise, yoga, stretching and try to stand and be physically active too. Thanks so much for your help!
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
A great question.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, albeit very unique.
Nice to know that your have predicted all the things very correctly.

Wants to know: medical/physiological aspect of what happens to the testicles when one sits down, just to ease the worries a bit.
Back to the basics again; there are 2 major function of the testis. The first one is to produce sperms and the second one is to produce androgens - mainly testosterone.
The major reason why testes, the most major organ to give manhood to the man are outside the body is that there can be a thermo-regulation. This is needed as the core temperature of the testes need to be 2 degree Celsius less than the general body temperature for them to produce healthy sperms This is an estimated figure) Too high and too low temperatures work negatively on spermatogenesis. This is mainly regulated by the lengthening or shortening of the scrotal skin. When there is cold outside the scrotal skin shrinks so that the testis is kept very close to the body to maintain the temperature it needs and in hot climate the scrotal skin lengthens to dissipate the extra heat for the same reason.
Hence, on sitting for a longer time with underwear and pants, the scrotal skin gets elongated to to maintain the function. The testis obviously attains the position most suitable for its functioning.
This occurs so naturally that no one would have really noticed such changes unless specifically he opts to see what happens.

The Almighty has kept all the parts of the body in such a way that they function perfectly to maintain the normalcy unless there is some pathological process.

The blood supply is also so typical and the venous and lymphatic drainage too that the circulation is well maintained in whatever position the person is.

>> And, just to doublecheck - men are not really sitting on their testicles, but rather on the buttocks and thighs, is that correct? > Yes this is very correct.

You are absolutely correct, more the progress and more we all are sitting.
Additional points are: Maximum people are using the synthetic clothes, tight and thick underwear and pants that they could never realize what they are doing.
Hence, it is the best policy to use the loose and preferably pure cotton clothes.

Yes, your assumptions are absolutely correct: >> it is safe for men to sit for long periods of time, and poses no health threat, but that one should do physical exercise, yoga, stretching and try to stand and be physically active too

I hope this answers your queries and clears all your doubts.

...
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
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Answered by
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Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19777 Questions

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What Happens To The Testicles When One Sits Down?

Brief Answer: A great question. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query, albeit very unique. Nice to know that your have predicted all the things very correctly. Wants to know: medical/physiological aspect of what happens to the testicles when one sits down, just to ease the worries a bit. Back to the basics again; there are 2 major function of the testis. The first one is to produce sperms and the second one is to produce androgens - mainly testosterone. The major reason why testes, the most major organ to give manhood to the man are outside the body is that there can be a thermo-regulation. This is needed as the core temperature of the testes need to be 2 degree Celsius less than the general body temperature for them to produce healthy sperms This is an estimated figure) Too high and too low temperatures work negatively on spermatogenesis. This is mainly regulated by the lengthening or shortening of the scrotal skin. When there is cold outside the scrotal skin shrinks so that the testis is kept very close to the body to maintain the temperature it needs and in hot climate the scrotal skin lengthens to dissipate the extra heat for the same reason. Hence, on sitting for a longer time with underwear and pants, the scrotal skin gets elongated to to maintain the function. The testis obviously attains the position most suitable for its functioning. This occurs so naturally that no one would have really noticed such changes unless specifically he opts to see what happens. The Almighty has kept all the parts of the body in such a way that they function perfectly to maintain the normalcy unless there is some pathological process. The blood supply is also so typical and the venous and lymphatic drainage too that the circulation is well maintained in whatever position the person is. >> And, just to doublecheck - men are not really sitting on their testicles, but rather on the buttocks and thighs, is that correct? > Yes this is very correct. You are absolutely correct, more the progress and more we all are sitting. Additional points are: Maximum people are using the synthetic clothes, tight and thick underwear and pants that they could never realize what they are doing. Hence, it is the best policy to use the loose and preferably pure cotton clothes. Yes, your assumptions are absolutely correct: >> it is safe for men to sit for long periods of time, and poses no health threat, but that one should do physical exercise, yoga, stretching and try to stand and be physically active too I hope this answers your queries and clears all your doubts. ... http://bit.ly/askdrtchandrakant