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A swelling or inflammation of one or both testicles is known as orchitis. Orchitis can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, or it can have no apparent cause. The most common cause of orchitis is a bacterial infection, such as those contracted during sexually transmitted infection (STI). The mumps virus can occasionally result in orchitis.
The inflammation of the epididymis, a coiled tube that stores and transports sperm at the back of the testicle, may be caused by bacterial orchitis, this condition is known as epididymo-orchitis.
Orchitis may interfere with fertility and cause pain. Medication can address the underlying causes of bacterial orchitis and help alleviate certain signs and symptoms of viral orchitis. However, the recovery of scrotal pain may require a several weeks.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of orchitis might include the following:
- Swelling of one or both testicles
- Mild to severe testicle pain.
- Fatigue or malaise.
- Fever and chills.
- Nausea and vomiting.
There are instances when “groin pain” and “testicle pain” are used together. However, groin pain doesn’t originate in the testicle; rather, it comes from the fold of skin between the thigh and abdomen. It is not the same as testicular pain for which there are different causes.
Testicle pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, some of which need to be treated immediately. Testicular torsion is one such condition that can cause pain similar to orchitis. It includes twisting of the spermatic cord. Tests might be conducted by your healthcare provider to identify the condition causing your pain.
See a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you experience any scrotal pain or swelling, especially if it occurs instantly.
Causes
Infections with bacteria or viruses can cause orchitis. Orchitis commonly arises from urinary tract infections or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis. Epididymitis can also be a cause of orchitis.
- Bacterial orchitis: The majority of the time, epididymitis causes or is associated with bacterial orchitis. Typically, an infection of the bladder or urethra that travels to the epididymis causes epididymitis.
A STI is typically the cause of the infection. A catheter or other medical equipment placed into your penis, or the fact that you were born with abnormalities in your urinary tract, are other possible causes of infection. - Viral orchitis: Viral orchitis is typically caused by the mumps virus. About one-third of boys who get the mumps after puberty develop orchitis, typically occurring four to seven days following the onset of mumps.
Risk factors
Sexually transmitted orchitis is a risk associated with sexual behaviors that might result in STIs. Those actions consist of:
- Having multiple sexual partners
- Having sexual intercourse with someone who has an STI
- Having sexual intercourse without using procection such as condom
- Having a personal history of an STI
The following are risk factors for non-sexually transmitted orchitis:
- Having a urinary tract abnormality from birth.
- Not having received the mumps vaccination.
- Experiencing frequent urinary tract infections.
- Getting surgery on the urinary tract or genitalia.
Diagnosis
Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and perform a physical examination in order to check for swollen testicles on the affected side and swollen lymph nodes in your groin. To look for prostate enlargement or tenderness, your healthcare provider may also perform a rectal examination.
The healthcare provider may recommend the following test:
- Ultrasound: The most common imaging test for evaluating testicular pain is this one. If the blood flow to your testicles is higher than normal, which helps support the diagnosis of orchitis, or lower than normal, indicating torsion, this can be determined by ultrasound using color Doppler.
- Urinalysis: A urine sample is examined to look for any abnormalities and to rule out any viral or bacterial infections. Urine tests are used for some STI screenings.
- STIscreen: In order to collect a sample of the discharge if you have it, a thin swab is placed into the tip of your penis. The sample is tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia in the lab.
Treatment
The symptoms of orchitis typically begin to get better within a few days even without intervention. However, complete resolution of swelling may require several weeks or months.
Treatment for orchitis is based on its cause.
- Bacterial orchitis treatment: Both bacterial and epididymo-orchitis require the use of antibiotics for treatment. Your sexual partner requires medical attention as well if a STI is the source of the bacterial disease.
Oral antibiotics for 10 to 14 days may be required for this. Even if your symptoms go away sooner, make sure the infection has been entirely eliminated by taking the full course of antibiotics as directed by your healthcare provider.
The tenderness might not go away for a few weeks. Pain relief measures for the scrotum include resting, using an athletic strap to support it, using cold packs, and taking medicine. - Treating viral orchitis: The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms. Your healthcare provider may advise:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such naproxen sodium or ibuprofen.
- Resting in bed and elevating your scrotum.
- Cold compress.
The majority of patients with viral orchitis begin to experience improvement within three to 10 days, although it may take several weeks for the tenderness in the scrotum to fully resolve.
