ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Epididymitis

What is epididymitis?

4 May 2021

It is a disease in which the epididymis, that is, the tube located in the testicle, responsible for storing and conducting sperm fluid, becomes inflamed due to a bacterial or viral infection that usually begins in the urethra, prostate, or bladder.

Epididymitis can appear due to:

  • Sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
  • Bacterial or viral infections that spread to the epididymis.
  • Testicular blows or groin injuries.
  • Urine traces in the epididymis due to overexertion.

Like any condition, certain factors can contribute to the onset of this condition which can occur in men of any age, such as:

  • Prostatitis.
  • Previous sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Anatomical complications in the urinary tract or uncircumcised penis.
  • Recent surgery.
  • Insertion of a bladder catheter or endoscope into the penis.
  • Unprotected sex with more than one partner.

Signs and symptoms Epididymitis

  • Burning or discomfort when urinating.
  • Frequent urination.
  • Pain when ejaculating.
  • Chills.
  • Scrotal swelling.
  • Low-grade fever.
  • Swelling of the scrotum
  • Blood in semen
  • Discharge from the urethra and penis.
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If you have any of these symptoms, you must go to your doctor as soon as possible so that you can be diagnosed and treated promptly, avoiding possible complications.

Potential risks:

  • Scrotal abscess.
  • Chronic epididymitis.
  • Infertility.
  • Necrosis of testicular tissue.
  • Epididymo-orchitis, if the infection spreads from the epididymis to the testis.

Diagnosis and treatment Epididymitis

Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination, which includes a rectal exam to check for prostate enlargement or tenderness, and tests that allow them to confirm the diagnosis and the level of progress of the infection, such as:

  • Blood test.
  • Penile swab to detect sexually transmitted diseases.
  • General urine tests and a urine culture.
  • Doppler ultrasound.
  • Testicular scintigraphy.

Once the origin of your epididymitis has been identified, your doctor will define the treatment to be followed to eliminate the infection with antibiotics and reduce the symptoms by taking painkillers and anti-inflammatories, as well as applying ice to the affected area.

If an abscess has formed, you may need surgery to drain the pus or, in severe cases, to remove all or part of the epididymis.

Your doctor must monitor your evolution to check that there is no infection. In addition, if the epididymitis is caused by a sexually transmitted infection, your partner must also get checked and treated clinically.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Epididymitis

Internal Medicine
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory
Cancer Center

Fuentes:

  • mhealth.org
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • smartsexresource.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Plazola-Hernández A, Bustos-Rodríguez FJ, Orozco-Cortez P, et al. Epididimitis fúngica por Histoplasma: Reporte de un caso. Rev Mex Urol. 2021;81(1):1-6.
  • Zúñiga CIR, Lozano JC. Mycoplasma genitalium: un patógeno emergente de transmisión sexual. Rev Latin Infect Pediatr. 2018;31(4):149-151.
  • Rodríguez ACA, Villarreal JJ, Orlich CC, et al. Epididimitis tuberculosa secundaria a tratamiento con BCG intravesical por carcinoma transicional de vejiga. Rev Med Cos Cen. 2009;66(589):289-292.
  • Chou RA, Fragas VR, Hernández SDR, et al. Varicocele bilateral e infertilidad: evaluación de dos técnicas quirúrgicas. RCU. 2013;2(1):53-69.

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