Expert Warns Dangerous 'Ballmaxxing' Trend Could Cause Lasting Genital Damage

A strange new internet trend called "ballmaxxing" has been spreading online, and if the name alone has you confused, you are not the only one.

The trend is pretty much what it sounds like. Some men are injecting saline, and in some cases other substances such as Surgilube, into the scrotum to make it look much larger.

The aim is usually size and shock value, but doctors say this is not a harmless body hack. It involves injecting fluid into one of the most sensitive areas of the body, which can lead to serious medical problems.

Testicles are normally around the size of a small egg, but images shared in online spaces show some men inflating their scrotums until they appear closer to the size of grapefruits.

One Reddit community linked to the trend has attracted thousands of followers, with users sharing photos, videos, and discussion around the practice.

Unsurprisingly, medical experts are urging people not to copy it. The risks are not just pain or swelling, but infection, tissue damage, and possible long-term harm to sexual and reproductive health.

Many ballmaxxers are doing it themselves without medical supervision Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Is ballmaxxing bad for you?

Speaking to the Metro, Dr Shirin Lakhani explained why she is concerned about the trend.

"Ballmaxxing or scrotal inflation with saline is considered to be quite dangerous, and doctors generally warn against it," she said.

"The scrotum area is very sensitive and contains delicate structures, including the testes, blood vessels, and nerves, which are not designed to accommodate fluid distension."

Dr Lakhani said the possible risks include bacterial infection, abscesses, and cellulitis, which is a skin infection that can spread if it is not treated quickly.

One of the biggest dangers is that many people appear to be doing this themselves, without medical training, sterile equipment, or proper supervision.

That DIY element makes an already risky practice even more dangerous. A small mistake with a needle, fluid amount, or hygiene can turn into a medical emergency.

A lot of the images being shared online look far beyond normal swelling, with the scrotum stretched to a level that doctors say the body is not designed to handle.

Some posts also include step-by-step advice on how to carry out the injections without medical help, which increases the risk that people may attempt it without understanding the possible consequences.

Health experts have warned that this is not the same as a cosmetic procedure carried out in a clinic. Injecting fluid into the scrotum at home can introduce bacteria, damage tissue, and cause severe pain or swelling.

Scrotox can apparently make your scrotum smoother and better defined Getty stock image

What is scrotox?

Ballmaxxing is sometimes compared with "scrotox," but the two are not the same thing.

Scrotox usually refers to Botox injections into the scrotal area, often done for smoother-looking skin, less sweating, or a lower-hanging appearance. Even that should only be handled by a qualified medical professional.

Ballmaxxing goes much further. Instead of small cosmetic injections, it involves putting larger amounts of fluid into the scrotum to create swelling, which is why doctors are treating it as a much more dangerous trend.

What are the long-term health risks of ballmaxxing?

Writing for icliniq, Dr Ankita Balar warned that saline injections can lead to serious long-term complications.

Dr Balar said: "Saline ball injection carries a number of dangers. The scrotum is not supposed to expand beyond its normal size."

"It should be verified that the saline solution, drip tubes, and needles meet hospital-grade sterility standards, and ensured that the entire procedure is carried out in a sterile environment."

Dr's have warned of the dangers of 'ballmaxxing' Getty stock image

She also warned that injecting too much saline could cause scrotal rupturing, where the skin and tissue are stretched beyond what they can safely take.

Other possible complications include scrotal cellulitis, Fournier's gangrene, and permanent infertility. Fournier's gangrene is a fast-moving, life-threatening infection of the genital and surrounding tissue, and it needs emergency treatment.

The doctor added: "This is not a medically approved practice and is not recommended."

"It has no benefits but can cause a lot of side effects, including pain, inflammation, gangrene, or even permanent infertility."

She suggested that anyone considering the trend should instead accept their body as it is and avoid putting themselves at risk for a temporary change in appearance.

If someone has already injected fluid into the scrotum and notices pain, swelling, fever, redness, discharge, skin discoloration, or feeling generally unwell, they should seek urgent medical help rather than waiting for it to settle on its own.