# TMI??, Bah! How much fluid could you possibly store in your scrotum? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 1, 2004, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837 "2004-03-01T02:53:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/1 "2004-03-01T02:53:09Z")
Let`s say, for the sake of this thread, that I was to enter an endurance compettition. One of the rules of the event was that you can`t bring any extra water or fluids with you. So, it goes without saying that fluid conservation is important. Here goes; In addition to drinking as much as I could handle before the start of the event, could I cheat by injecting an amount of saline solution into my scrotum? How much “extra” fluid could typically be stored this way? IOW, what is the capacity of the average scrotal sack? What would the absorption rate be? Would it gain me advantage? Your expeditiousness in this matter is of utmost importance 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/2 "2004-03-01T02:59:40Z")
If this endurance contest involves any kind of leg motion, you’re going to find there’s a slight problem with your scheme. Somehow, I expected to find this thread sub-titled, “and did I just do something really stupid?” ---
**Author:** ![gluteus\_maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@gluteus\_maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gluteus_maximus)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/3 "2004-03-01T03:00:21Z")
Doesn’t sound like a very _practical_ idea. What sort of endurance competition do you have in mind that wouldn’t be encumbered by an unusually bloated, distended scrotum? Couldn’t you just carry a big mouthful of water at the start? ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/4 "2004-03-01T03:11:41Z")
I dunno, pick something that doesn`t require the use of extensive leg movement. I got it! - Driving an auto. You have to see how long you can drive a car without stopping for water. ---
**Author:** ![gluteus\_maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@gluteus\_maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gluteus_maximus)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/5 "2004-03-01T03:17:47Z")
Don’t know what time zone you’re posting from, but most cars today use gasoline-powered engines, so there’s not much need for stops at the water tank, like in the old Stanley Steamer days. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/6 "2004-03-01T03:28:34Z")
Alrighty then, how bout a desert expedition. You only get to carry a gallon of water and you have to ride a camel a hundred miles across the Sahara. Could you fill your sack with a saline solution (in addition to the gallon you are carrying) and would it be a benefit to yourself? Sheesh… ---
**Author:** ![gluteus\_maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@gluteus\_maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gluteus_maximus)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/7 "2004-03-01T03:34:54Z")
Now you’re talking about the camel’s endurance. Don’t you think the military (at least, the French Foreign Legion) would have thought of that already if it were possible? Whatever gave you the idea that the scrotum was a viable fluid delivery system for anything other than an orgasm? Your question is udderly silly. ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/8 "2004-03-01T03:39:57Z")
I gotta go with **gluteus maximus’** assessment of the question. BUT , if you do find out the answer for yourself I hope you hurry back here and let us know how it went. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/9 "2004-03-01T03:57:54Z")
Udderly, ha! Enough games. Seriously though, anyone know if the body can absorb a saline solution that is injected into the scrotum? And what the rate of absorption would be? ---
**Author:** ![Garnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de0a6/32.png) [@Garnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garnet)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/10 "2004-03-01T04:32:05Z")
Weeeellll… Go Google for “scrotal inflation”. I saw reference being made to 500 to 1000 cc’s being umm… added in, and someone else claiming to use 2 liters. The site I read claims it would take 48-72 hours to return completely to normal. They used saline though, which I wouldn’t imagine is drinkable, and they don’t have provisions to remove the liquid in a way that would make it accessible for drinking. I can’t believe I’m posting this… _slinks away_ ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/11 "2004-03-01T04:49:26Z")
> [@Garnet](#): > > The site I read claims it would take 48-72 hours to return completely to normal. > > They used saline though, which I wouldn’t imagine is drinkable, and they don’t have provisions to remove the liquid in a way that would make it accessible for drinking. Are you serious? If you “return to normal” where do you think the saline is going? It’s absorbed into your body. You wouldn’t have to drink it. According to [Dan Savage](http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0208/savage.php), it only takes a few hours for your body to absorb the saline. > [@](#): > > You could inject saline-sterile saltwater directly into your scrotum, a process known as “scrotal infusion.” The results are impressive—you can blow your scrotum up to the size of a basketball—but short-lived: Your balls will deflate in a few hours as the saline is absorbed into your body. To answer the OP, YES. You can stave off dehydration this way. Hell, inject a liter into your scrotum every day, and you won’t need to drink any water at all! ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/12 "2004-03-01T04:51:20Z")
p.s. [prior thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=238605) regarding the practice. ---
**Author:** ![patchbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dc4da7/32.png) [@patchbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/patchbunny)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/13 "2004-03-01T05:27:47Z")
My ex-girlfriend’s cat received subcutaneous invections of saline to deal with a dehydration problem, so why limit yourself to the scrotum? Give yourself a nice B-cup while you’re at it. –Patch ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/14 "2004-03-01T13:29:00Z")
Thank you **Eleusis** , for answering the OP. The linked thread is more geared towards some kind of fetish rather than a means of survival. Mr. Savage describes a scrotal sack the size of a basketball. That could be quite a bit of water to have on hand (heh) in an emergency. ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-bah-how-much-fluid-could-you-possibly-store-in-your-scrotum/231837/15 "2004-03-01T16:27:37Z")
> [@patchbunny](#): > > My ex-girlfriend’s cat received subcutaneous invections of saline to deal with a dehydration problem, so why limit yourself to the scrotum? Give yourself a nice B-cup while you’re at it. > > –Patch [slight hijack] IIRC from my vet clinic days, a cat’s skin isn’t quite as “attached” to the underlying fascia and muscles as a person’s (hence the scruff of a kitten). If your idea worked, we’d never have hangovers again - just inject some lactated ringer’s before bed and you’d be A-OK!