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Not quite the crown jewels, but close. Without your testicles, you could never make a woman pregnant – no matter how hard you tried.
So all what's the fuss about the testicles? Why do we men cringe when we even think of a steam compressor crushing our nuts? Mind you, any part of the body in a steam compressor would make most men cringe. But let’s get to business.
Your testicles are quite fragile pieces of tissue. These are the things that make you fertile. But in order to work, their environment needs to be just right, their temperature needs to be constant, and they need to be treated well. So chuck those nylon underpants and yes, there are some things you should never consider doing – or let other people do to you.
A nutty factory
The size of a grown man’s testicle could be compared to the size of a large walnut with its shell on. Testicles have two very important functions. They produce sperm, and they provide the body with testosterone, the primary male sexual hormone. It is testosterone that gives a man his libido and hunting abilities.
Your testicles hang next to each other in a sack-like structure called the scrotum. They are attached to the epididymis and are kept a few degrees below your normal body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, since sperm production requires a slightly lower temperature. The sperm cycle lasts approximately 100 days before the cells are mature, and about one percent of these are created every day.
When it’s cold, your scrotum might just look like a dried-out prune, since the temperature of your testicles needs to be regulated.
Cracked by any chance?
But what would happen if for some reason you had to have both your nuts removed? Heaven forbid, but it’s not the end of the world if it should happen. Your doctor would more than likely put prosthetic testicles in your scrotum and give you testosterone injections. This will nevertheless enable you to have some steamy action with your partner. Unfortunately though, if you wanted to father a horde, this would be impossible. However, if you have only one testicle, it is still possible to make a baby.
Every man should know that it is vital to take good care of his nuts. From the start of puberty, every man should regularly give his testicles a self-examination, to see if there are any unusual bumps or growths. If a lump is found, it could possibly be testicular cancer. Another possible ailment of the testicle is torsion, which is when the testicle becomes twisted in the cords that connect it to the rest of the male reproduction system. Or it could just be a build-up of fluids or sperm in your scrotum, which is not so dangerous, but you should nevertheless see a doctor – and on the double.
Interesting facts
- There is a 90 percent recovery rate with those who have testicular cancer, and 85 five percent of men with this condition are under the age of 50. It is most common in men between the ages of 15 and 35
- Keeping fit keeps your balls in shape. Eating a good diet will help too. Fatty food reduces testosterone production
- Never wear underwear or clothes that are too tight. This can cause your nuts to overheat or become swollen, affecting sperm production and possibly even causing pain. Keep your eggs free-range. Protect your bits
- Testosterone is not the cause for erections, but it gives you the desire to obtain one
- Your testicles started working way back in your mother's womb. The testosterone produced by your tiny testicles then already gave your body the cue to develop manly characteristics.
(Matthew Louw, Health24)
