Should You Be Sunning the Family Jewels?
If you spend much time online, you’ve probably come across the recent trend of tanning your family jewels. According to online health gurus, the primary benefit is increased testosterone levels.
Considering numerous studies have shown that testosterone (along with sperm count) has been declining by roughly 1% per year over the past 50 years, it’s not surprising the trend has blown up in popularity. Unfortunately, if you do a quick Google search, you'll likely just see journalists trying to debase the idea because it’s recently been tied to Tucker Carlson.
For example, Salon tried to tie the practice to an “imagined testosterone apocalypse.” If a ~50% decrease in testosterone levels isn’t considered an apocalypse, we’re not sure what is. Still, will sunning your privates actually help?
Rather than get political, we decided to review the actual scientific literature on sun exposure.
Sun exposure does help with testosterone levels
One of the most direct benefits of sunlight is the production of vitamin D, an essential nutrient linked to numerous health benefits, including hormonal health. A 2011 study in Hormone and Metabolic Research famously found that vitamin D supplementation led to an increase in testosterone levels.
A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also showed that sunlight-derived vitamin D supports immune health, bone density, and hormonal balance, illustrating the wide-reaching impacts of adequate sun exposure.
Sunlight also impacts mood and energy levels
Sun exposure isn’t just about vitamin D—sunlight has a profound effect on neurotransmitters like serotonin, which plays a major role in mood regulation. For example, a study in the Lancet found a link between sunlight and serotonin production, which helps explain the energizing effect of sunny days.
Additionally, another peer-reviewed study found that solar exposure “enhanced romantic passion in both genders and aggressiveness in men.”
What about sun exposure on the family jewels though?
The idea of sunning your family jewels supposedly traces back to a 1930’s Boston State Hospital study, which found nearly a 200% increase in testosterone after applying a UV light directly to patients’ scrotums. Unfortunately, the methodology seems a little suspect and there haven’t been any follow up studies that looked for a link between sun exposure down there and testosterone levels.
However, there have been studies that have found links between direct UV exposure to sun-sensitive skin (which probably includes your family jewels) and skin cancer. So at the very least, there are some risks beyond just burning your privates.
The Bottom Line
While there is strong scientific evidence that sun exposure in general can help boost your testosterone levels and overall health, there isn’t much evidence that supports sunning your genitals directly. However, there really haven’t been any studies that disprove the anecdotal evidence you find online either.
Like so many things in life, you’ll ultimately have to make your own decision based on the limited data available.
