advice: my boyfriend keeps adjusting ... himself

first, let’s talk about the itch that needs to be scratched. one of the biggest culprits of frequent adjusting is jock itch , an incessant rash that usually occurs on the upper inner thighs or in the skin between the thighs and the scrotum.

“jock itch is typically red, a little scaly, and itchy,” explains dr. benjamin barankin, toronto dermatologist, medical director and founder at the toronto dermatology centre . “it can be on both sides or just one side,” a person may also have athlete’s foot or toenail fungus at the same time which is often the source.”

if there is a recurrence, dr. renée beach, dermatologist and founder of dermatelier on avenue advises that “self-diagnosis is reasonable.” she suggests that using an over-the-counter fungal cream for two to four weeks may be sufficient, “but only if jock itch is eliminated or significantly modified.”

another reason for your boyfriend’s habit may be directly related to what’s on his mind. according to science , the average man thinks about sex 19 times in any given day, compared to women who tally roughly 10 sexy thoughts a day. if your boyfriend is easily aroused, he might be adjusting himself to keep the party in his pants from getting out of hand — a move sometimes called the “ boner tuck .”

while it sounds like your boyfriend clearly has the daytime touch, but some men cup their penis while sleeping at night. in fact, there is a condition known as sexsomnia, which causes people to engage in sexual behaviours, like masturbation and fondling , as they sleep.

there is also a theory that men touch their genitals a lot because it makes them feel physically safe. “lodging your hands between your precious jewels and the potential hazards of the outside world makes you feel comfortable and safe,” vanessa van edwards, author of human lie detection and body language 101: your guide to reading people’s nonverbal behavior told men’s health .