Co-authored by Nico Stagias
Dr. Dean Elterman displays the size options of testicular implants.
April is Testicular Cancer Awareness month, and while cancer is one of the most common ways that a man may lose a testicle, it’s not the only traumatic event that may lead to a necessary removal of a ball.
After losing a testicle (or two), due to cancer, infection, injury or torsion, do you consider getting testicular implants? What if you are a trans man?
These are some of the questions that my producing partner at Border2Border Entertainment, Nico Stagias, and I set out to explore in our documentary BALLS which we’ve dissected (excuse the turn of phrase while talking about your balls gentlemen!) into bite size (again, perhaps I should reach for my thesaurus...) episodes free for your viewing pleasure on YouTube and Amazon Prime. If you prefer the unblurred, unbleeped, balls out version that’s available on Vimeo or YouTube rentals.
With that spiel out of the way, back to our discussion of replacing a removed testicle with a prosthetic...
According to our documentary subjects, the opinions vary and are split down the middle.
In the case of Matt, who lost his testicle to testicular torsion, he has no interest in replacing the excided testicle. Now in his 50s, Matt had his ball removed in his early 20s because the twisted testicle had cut off all blood supply to his left nut rendering it dead. Not only is testicular torsion a medical emergency but it is also very difficult to diagnose.
Matt is confident in his decision to not get a prosthetic replacement.
If the diagnosis of testicular torsion and “un-twisting” is not made within the first 8 hours, the testicle will likely be lost.
Matt’s trauma of undergoing an orchiectomy over 25 years ago is so great, that the thought of having to undergo surgery once again to replace the testicle is even further traumatizing. Besides, he is much older now and in a long-term committed relationship with a partner who is comfortable and supportive of Matt’s body. Matt jokes, “If you could click your fingers and have two with no effort required, I would probably do that”. Sadly, it is not that simple.
Siavash relates his horrific experience with testicular torsion.
Siavash, on the other hand, who also lost a testicle to torsion in more recent years, is definitely considering a replacement. As a younger man in his late twenties, he would like his body to look more symmetrical. At the moment, he is researching clinics and doctors.
For Peter Bovolaneas, who lost both testicles to cancer, it was a no-brainer. He was thankful for the modern day medical technology and had 2 prosthetic testicles implanted. Peter is a remarkable human being who has such a great sense of humor and amazing coping skills.
Peter gets a kick out of a ball flick.
Sometimes when he is out at the bars, he will approach acquaintances (who do not know his testicular history) and ask them to flick his balls. If he doesn’t flinch, they buy him a him a drink; if Peter flinches, he buys the drink. It’s a win-win situation for tipsy Peter, leaving the “flicker” scratching his or her head.
Peter undergoes testosterone replacement therapy every 2 weeks.
It should also be noted that Peter, who presents as a VERY masculine/muscular man, can no longer produce testosterone because both testicles were removed. Because of this fact, Peter must inject himself with testosterone every 2 weeks to maintain sex drive, bone mass, muscle mass and mental health. He humorously accepts this shot in the buttocks as his “pain in the ass”.
Comedian Maggie Cassella relates a ball job to a boob job.
The decision to replace or not to replace really comes down to choice and comfort. And as comedian Maggie Cassella jokes, “I’m not going to judge a guy for getting a fake ball any more than I’m going to judge a woman for getting a fake boob. It’s your choice and we have the technology”! She really cracks me up!
Matching a prosthetic to the remaining or original testicle(s) in size is taken into consideration.
There are different types of prosthetic testicles. The ultimate goal is to match the prosthetic as much as possible to the remaining, natural testicle. Testicular prostheses are made of silicone gel or saline (salt water) with a silicone rubber covering. The surgeon makes a small incision in the lower groin where the prosthesis is inserted and then placed in the empty scrotum and secured with a stitch, or suture. You can usually go home the same day of the surgery. Often testicular prosthesis surgery can be done at the same time as the orchiectomy, or during a later surgery. It all depends on what the patient wants.
Carey explains his ‘psychic balls’.
Another one of our Balls documentary subjects, Carey, is a trans man and is not interested in getting prosthetic testicles. His genitals do not define his masculinity, though he jokingly claims to have “psychic balls”. Interestingly enough, once Carey started to take testosterone, his genitals started to change. His clitoris and labia started to grow, so much so that he often feels as though he has a penis and balls.
The removal of one or both testicles due to health problems is traumatic. The decision to replace or not replace lies with the individual as does their disclosure about it.
For an in-depth exploration into all things balls related, watch the unblurred, unbleeped, balls out version of the documentary BALLS here:
Charlie David’s Production Company Border2Border Entertainment produces documentaries, scripted features and television with a focus on health & wellness, and the LGBTQ audience.