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Blue balls: a brief history.

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Blue balls, a common scrotal pain, was historically documented under various medical terms. This historical analysis reveals its impact on discussions of sexual health and norms.

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Area of Science:

  • Medical History
  • Sexual Medicine
  • History of Urology

Background:

  • Blue balls, a common yet under-documented complaint in sexual medicine, has a rich popular history.
  • Historical medical literature offers limited insights into the nosology and etiology of blue balls.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide the first comprehensive medical history of blue balls.
  • To explore the historical nosology and etiology of scrotal pain associated with blue balls.

Main Methods:

  • A thorough review of historical medical literature in Latin, French, German, Dutch, Italian, and English.
  • Analysis of diagnostic terms and observations related to scrotal pain from the 18th to early 20th centuries.

Main Results:

  • Scrotal pain, termed 'blue balls,' was extensively documented between the 1820s and 1920s under numerous nosologic headings.
  • Historical observations supported arguments against excessive continence and implicitly favored masturbation, influencing concepts of normal sexuality.
  • The potential of 'blue balls' to moderate societal views on masturbation was recognized but not fully realized until the early 20th century.

Conclusions:

  • Discomfort akin to blue balls significantly influenced clinical discourse on sexuality from the early 18th century.
  • This condition informed gendered ideas about sexual entitlement, sexual habits, and behavioral health.