Getting hit in the testicles may sound like a worst-case scenario for most men, but for some, it is a secret source of pleasure. Known as 'ballbusting' (bb), this kink revolves around inflicting pain on the testicles. Surprisingly, it ranks ninth in the top 10 kinks on the porn site Clips4sale in 2026, specifically for gay male content. However, sex experts Gigi Engle and Becky Crepsley-Fox note that it is popular among men of all sexual orientations. The dedicated ballbusting Reddit thread attracts 162,000 weekly visitors eager to watch men have their testicles hit, kicked, twisted, and stood on.
What Is Ballbusting?
'Ballbusting is a kink that involves impact, restraint, and sensation play – it's all focused on the balls,' says Gigi Engle, author of Kink Curious. While its exact origins are unclear, it gained visibility with the rise of online fetish communities and porn in the late 1990s and early 2000s. 'It's been picking up steam ever since then,' she adds. Falling under the BDSM umbrella, it involves pain and endurance play through various methods. 'It can consist of squeezing or tapping on the balls, consensual impact play with implements like hands or paddles,' Engle explains. 'Electroplay with toys designed for low-level shocks on the testicles works, as well as cock cages.' Sexologist Becky Crepsley-Fox adds that it includes kicking, stomping, punching, and using implements like heels or gloves. The kicking element stems from the Japanese practice of tamakeri, which focuses specifically on ball kicking.
Why Do People Find Ballbusting Pleasurable?
There are physical and mental aspects. Physically, 'the genitals are among the most nerve-dense areas of the body, which makes them uniquely sensitive to both pleasure and pain,' says Crepsley-Fox. 'In an aroused state, that sensitivity is amplified. The same nerve endings that carry pleasure signals are also responsible for pain, and in the right setting, the brain can struggle to distinguish cleanly between the two.' Mentally, the power exchange between dominant and submissive partners plays a big role. 'People may be drawn to the submission, humiliation, and endurance of being able to withstand this ball torture,' Engle explains. 'This is why it works well for fem-doms.' Crepsley-Fox notes that testicles are culturally loaded with ideas about masculinity, power, and identity. 'For men who enjoy receiving, there's often a profound element of surrender in it – offering up the most guarded part of yourself to someone you deeply trust is the ultimate act of submission.'
How Do People Know They Like Ballbusting?
Many men on Reddit shared that they discovered the kink accidentally after an unintentional knock to their genitals. One man recounted: 'I was wrestling around with a female friend… she went to kick my leg and I turned the wrong way and BAM, square in the balls. I dropped like a ton of bricks, mostly from the surprise of it, but while on the ground I had to stay a little longer as I got hard as a rock and tried to hide it. Nobody else knew, but that was the beginning of my ballbusting fetish.' Another said their ex-roommate accidentally clipped their testicles with her foot while playing video games: 'Already had a crush on her, and I learned that getting kicked in the nuts by a gorgeous woman doesn't hurt at all. Just feels good for me. I moaned, then apologised… hooked ever since.' One man even discovered his kink during a game of badminton: 'I got a shuttlecock to the balls and yup, had to “take a break” and it wasn't just because of the pain.'
The Risks and How to Practice Ballbusting Safely
Engle warns that this kink comes with risks: 'You can get bruising, swelling, nerve damage, testicular rupture, reduced fertility, and even medical emergencies which require immediate treatment. If there's any swelling or discolouration, go to A&E.' For those keen to try it, she emphasises clear communication, consent, and a solid understanding of male anatomy. 'Learn your stuff before you engage with this. Start slowly and don't escalate the intensity and sensations quickly. Check in as you move up in severity. If anyone is experiencing pain, numbness, or swelling that's a sign of injury, and you want to stop what you're doing. If you're careful and go slowly, you should be fine.'
