Social media has given us plenty of strange “maxxing” trends over the years.

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There’s looksmaxxing. Sleepmaxxing. Fibermaxxing.

And now, unfortunately, there’s ballmaxxing.

Yes, really.

The bizarre viral trend sees men injecting fluids like saline and surgical lubricant directly into their scrotums in an attempt to temporarily enlarge their testicles — with some reportedly inflating them to the size of grapefruits.

Because, apparently, that’s where humanity is at now.

The trend has exploded across online forums and social media communities, with users sharing photos, tutorials, and “before and after” images showing dramatically swollen scrotums stretched to alarming sizes.

And while some participants describe the process as “euphoric” or “electrifying,” medical experts are warning that ballmaxxing could cause severe infections, tissue death, infertility, and even permanent damage to male genitalia.

According to reports, most ballmaxxing involves DIY procedures carried out at home using kits purchased online. The process typically involves inserting a needle into the scrotum before slowly infusing fluids such as saline, glucose, or Surgilube over the course of 30 minutes or more, Forbes reports.

Some online users claim the enlarged appearance makes them feel more masculine and confident, while others believe women prefer larger testicles or that the swelling somehow enhances sexual pleasure, per Healthline.

One participant quoted in Men’s Health described the process by saying: “Watching it happen and feeling it in real time is intense.”

Another added: “The whole buildup is electric. It’s similar to really good foreplay.”

But doctors say the reality is far less glamorous than people online are making it sound.

Speaking to Healthline, Dr Robert Glatter warned: “Physicians have called ballmaxxing one of the most reckless body modification trends to emerge from male online communities, warning that the temporary size increase often leads to permanent damage.”

He explained that the scrotum simply is not designed to handle this kind of fluid expansion. “The scrotum was not built for this.”

Dr Glatter added: “The area is extremely sensitive and contains delicate structures — including the testicles, blood vessels, and nerves — that are simply not designed to accommodate fluid distension.”

Experts say one of the biggest dangers comes from infection.

Because many procedures are performed outside sterile medical environments, bacteria can easily enter the body through the needle puncture site, potentially leading to cellulitis, abscesses, sepsis, or even necrotising fasciitis — a flesh-eating infection that can become life-threatening.

Dr Glatter warned: “Without proper sterile technique, you are essentially introducing bacteria directly into a warm, enclosed anatomical space.”

He added that severe complications could potentially require “surgical debridement and potentially scrotal removal or resection.”

Which is about as horrifying a sentence as anybody could possibly read on a lunch break.

Doctors are particularly concerned about the use of Surgilube, a surgical lubricant never intended to be injected into body tissue.

Unlike saline, which the body can eventually absorb, Surgilube can remain trapped in the tissue, potentially triggering chronic inflammation, granulomas, necrosis, and permanent disfigurement.

Dr Glatter explained: “It is not intended for injection into body tissue.”

Meanwhile, experts speaking to Men’s Health also raised serious concerns about long-term damage.

Dr Shirin Lakhani warned: “You could also experience tissue or nerve damage as stretching the scrotal skin and underlying structures can cause microtears, bruising, or longer-term damage to connective tissue.”

Other possible complications reportedly include erectile dysfunction, gangrene, blood clots, infertility, and permanent nerve damage.

Which feels like an awful lot of risk for something that only lasts around 24 to 48 hours before the swelling goes down anyway.

And yes, somehow the internet has still found ways to make the trend competitive.

According to online communities dedicated to saline inflation, some users become fascinated by how much the skin can physically stretch, while others are drawn to the shock factor or taboo nature of the procedure.

One participant admitted: “I know it’s freaky and abnormal looking — that’s exactly what I like about it.”

Another claimed: “I felt so manly, manly man.”

Which honestly sounds less like a medical explanation and more like dialogue from a caveman discovering fire for the first time.

Despite the growing popularity online, medical professionals are overwhelmingly urging people not to attempt ballmaxxing under any circumstances. Dr Glatter said the safest approach for anyone concerned about testicular size is to speak to a qualified urologist instead.

Featured image credit: World Manual (Created using AI to help illustrate this story)