Biohackers are turning to a chilling new trend: icing their testicles in pursuit of improved sexual health and fertility. The practice, popularized by well-known biohacker Bryan Johnson, has gained traction in online communities, particularly on Reddit, where a dedicated forum sees 555,000 weekly visitors. These men claim that regular testicular cooling enhances sperm quality, boosts testosterone levels, and improves erections and sex drive.
The Rise of Testicle Icing
The trend stems from the broader biohacking movement, which focuses on DIY self-improvement methods to optimize physical performance. Bryan Johnson, who has over six million followers, promotes a daily sauna session while strapping an ice pack to his groin. He claims lab tests show he has four times the average sperm count, though this is unsubstantiated. With men's testosterone levels declining by 54% from 1972 to 2019, partly due to global heating, some see this as a potential solution.
How Men Are Icing Their Balls
Online forums reveal a common protocol: applying an ice pack over boxers for 10 to 15 minutes, three to four times daily. One user reported major improvement in morning wood and general horniness, attributing it to increased testosterone. Another claimed that after a year of icing, his testosterone levels reached their highest ever, with more powerful ejaculations and a sex drive through the roof.
What Experts Say
Dr. Azadeh Ovaici, a private GP, acknowledges the logic: The scrotum and testicles are temperature-sensitive, ideally kept about a degree or a degree-and-a-half below core body temperature, around 35°C. The NHS already recommends loose-fitting underwear to avoid overheating testicles, which can affect sperm quality. Dr. Hugh Coyne, GP and co-founder of Coyne Medical, explains that heat exposure can reduce sperm production within one to two weeks, peaking at four to five weeks, and in extreme cases, lead to complete absence of sperm production. Surviving sperm may be abnormal in shape or size.
However, Dr. Ovaici stresses there is no evidence that active cooling improves sperm health, testosterone, erections, or sex drive. Cold causes vasoconstriction, the opposite of what is needed for erections. She advises that if it makes you feel good and causes no harm, it is fine, but the effects are temporary, lasting only as long as the practice continues.
Risks and Recommendations
Doctors warn against applying bare ice directly to skin, especially the scrotum, as it can stick and cause skin damage. Cryotherapy guidelines recommend limiting exposure to 10-minute sessions to prevent nerve damage. The goal should be to bring elevated temperatures to normal physiological range, not to make testes as cold as possible.
For better sperm health, experts recommend cutting alcohol, avoiding smoking, and steering clear of activities that apply constant pressure and heat, such as sitting in a sauna or cycling. Avoid placing laptops on your lap. Dr. Ovaici concludes: More evidence points to avoidance of heat rather than active cooling.
