I am, of course, talking about the end of No Nut November, for as we travel into the final month of the year, a bunch of men around the world have been once again challenging themselves to keep their hands away from their glands.

While there’s a bit of a debate over the health benefits, those who actually partake in this self-imposed challenge swear by the upsides to abandoning onanism.

Even as health experts say there’s a plethora of positives to cranking one out on a regular basis, many of those who’ve done it say it makes them feel ‘really good’ by the end of the month. That’s because they reckon it boosts their physique and they enjoy the feeling of ‘self control and patience’ that comes with sticking to the challenge.

The objective is pretty simple, just get through the month of November without having a w**k.

Depending on where you are it’s either no longer November or it’s about to be, so do you feel better? (Getty Stock Photo)

For those who’ve made it all the way through, feel free to give yourselves a hand and a vigorous round of congratulations, wherever you choose to place that hand is really up to you.

Those who’ve completed the challenge in the past have said it makes them feel ‘accomplished’ at having made it through the entire thing, which they believe has resulted in them becoming ‘mentally stronger’.

As for what No Nut November does to your body, doctors have said that abstaining from masturbation could boost a bloke’s fertility but wouldn’t bring many other tangible benefits.

Those in the medical say that regularly cranking one out can lead to you having better sleep, a boost in hormones that make you feel good, a decreased heart rate and a drop in stress.

Do you feel better or worse after that month without masturbation? (Getty Stock Photo)

On the other hand, if you’ve made it through No Nut November successfully then don’t you feel like you’ve accomplished something?

You entered into a challenge that nobody forced you to undertake where your greatest opponent was yourself and you made it, what this has proved, if anything, is up to you but you set your mind on a specific goal and accomplished it.

That’s got to feel good on some level, and now you get to join the ranks of the millions of men who also completed No Nut November.

It does feel good to defeat a challenge, doesn’t it?

Here is how to get rid of the dreaded ‘blue balls’ as the ‘No Nut November challenge’ nears the end of its first week.

In case you somehow haven’t looked at a calendar for the last couple of weeks, it’s November – which has for some reason has been re-christened as the month in which men across the globe decide to forgo sex and masturbation.

We’re now five days into No Nut November, which means anyone embarking on the 30-day abstinence challenge will now be well aware of the side effects.

And yes – we’re talking about the infamous ‘blue balls’.

What are ‘blue balls’?

If you’ve ever lost sleep at night wondering whether or not blue balls is a real thing or myth then look no further, as we’re about to tell you exactly what the phenomena is.

Known medically as epididymal hypertension, blue balls is a condition in which a man experiences pain or discomfort when becoming sexually aroused without orgasming, which is caused by increased blood flow to the genital region. Symptoms can include a strange ache, a feeling of heaviness, or straight up discomfort in their testicles.

The skin may also get a slight blueish tinge, however, we’re glad to report the rumours of your gonads resembling Papa Smurf are very much a myth.

Given how the condition is likely to cause you pain, the first thought of anyone experiencing blue balls – perhaps this is the reason why you’re reading this – is most likely ‘how the hell do I get rid of them’.

Fortunately for you, that’s the next section of this article.

How to get rid of blue balls

The experts over at Verywell Health have kindly complied a list of a few different DIY ways in which you can banish the dreaded blue balls – some of which are more practical than others.

According to the guidance, the (second) easiest thing you can do to remedy epididymal hypertension is to jump in a nice cold shower, as cool water can help reduce any genital swelling.

There is a very simple way to be rid of blue balls, but you won’t want to hear it (Getty Stock Images)

However if standing under a freezing shower sounds a little too painful, then you can always make do with a cold compress.

Next on the list is exercise, as working out can help divert the flow of blood from the testicles to other major muscle groups and around the body.

But you may look a little bit strange going for a run or hitting the gym if you’re, ahem, still pitching a tent.

Should the above not the be to your fancy, taking anti-inflammatory painkillers will also help, however, it may be worth seeking medical advice first.

As for the most simple solution? That would be masturbation, which is unfortunately off the table until 1 December.