Epididymitis

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.