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Epididymitis is the inflammation of the epididymis, a coiled tube located at the back of the testicle responsible for storing and transporting sperm. This condition can affect males of any age.
The primary cause of epididymitis is typically a bacterial infection, with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea or chlamydia being common culprits. In some cases, inflammation can also spread to the testicle, resulting in a condition known as epididymo–orchitis.
The standard treatment for epididymitis involves the administration of antibiotics along with various measures aimed at alleviating discomfort and managing symptoms.
Symptoms
Epididymitis symptoms could include:
- Pain when urinating
- A pressing or regular urge to urinate.
- A scrotum that is bloated, discolored, or heated.
- Testicular discomfort and tenderness, typically on one side, that frequently develops gradually.
- Lower abdominal or pelvic pain or discomfort
- The semen appears to have blood.
- Fever
- Penile discharge
Chronic epididymitis
Epididymitis persisting for more than six weeks, or recurring episodes are classified as chronic. Symptoms of chronic epididymitis may develop gradually, and in some cases, the root cause cannot be identified.
Causes
There are several causes of epididymitis.
- Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). The most frequent causes of epididymitis in young, sexually active men are gonorrhea and chlamydia.
- Urine in the epididymis. The epididymis becomes irritated chemically when urine runs backward into it, leading to this disease. It might be the result of straining or hard lifting.
- Obstruction in the urethra, the channel that removes urine from the body.
- Trauma. An epididymitis injury to the groin can occur.
- Tuberculosis. Rarely, Tuberculosis infection can lead to epididymitis.
- Using a catheter, a tube that drains your bladder.
- Other infections. The epididymis may become infected with bacteria from a prostate or urinary tract infection. Additionally, viral diseases like the mumps virus can cause epididymitis.
Risk factors
You are more likely to contract sexually transmitted epididymitis if you engage in certain sexual behaviors that can cause Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), such as:
- Anal sex
- Having STI in the past
- Having sex with someone who has a STI
- Unprotected sex
The following are risk factors for non–sexually transmitted epididymitis:
- A deviation from the urinary tract’s usual anatomy
- Undergoing a medical operation that affects the urinary tract, such as placing a catheter or scope inside the penis.
- Other medical diseases, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), that weaken the immune system.
- Having an infection of the prostate or the urinary tract
- Prostate enlargement, which raises the risk of epididymitis and bladder infections.
- A penis that isn’t circumcised
Diagnosis
Your doctor discusses your symptoms with you and does an examination of your groin to determine whether you have epididymitis. This entails looking for larger testicles on the affected side and groin lymph nodes. In order to check for prostate enlargement or pain, your doctor may also perform a rectal exam.
Testing might involve:
- Urine and blood tests. Your blood and urine samples may also be sent to the lab for analysis.
- STI screening. A sample of any discharge you might have is taken using a narrow swab that is put into the end of your penis. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are tested for in the laboratory using the sample.
- Ultrasound. Sound waves are used in this imaging exam to produce images of your testicles. If you have testicular torsion, the test can reveal it. Torsion of the testicles can stop the flow of blood and is referred to as testicular torsion. The testicle is twisted if an ultrasonography with color Doppler reveals lesser blood flow to a testicle than is usual. Blood flow that is higher than usual may indicate that you have epididymitis.
Treatment
Antibiotics and consolation tactics are frequently used in the treatment of epididymitis. Surgery might be necessary on occasion.
- Antibiotics: Bacterial epididymitis and epididymo–orchitis, an epididymitis infection that has progressed to a testicle, must be treated with antibiotics. All sex partners must receive therapy if a STI is the source of the bacterial illness. Even if your symptoms go away sooner, take all of the antibiotics that your doctor has prescribed. This assists in ensuring that the infection is eliminated.
- Pain management : After two to three days of taking an antibiotic, you should start to feel better, but it can take a few weeks for the pain and swelling to go down. Pain can be eased by resting, using an athletic supporter to support the scrotum, using ice packs, and/or using painkillers.
- Surgery: You could require surgery to empty an abscess if one has developed. Surgery may occasionally be required to remove all or part of the epididymis. Epididymectomy is the name of the procedure. When underlying issues with urinary system anatomy result in epididymitis, surgical correction may be necessary.
