The male urogenital system can be affected by different pathologies. One of the most common is epididymal-orchitis, an inflammation that occurs due to infection, trauma, or injury to the testicle and epididymis. The name arises from the union of orchitis and epididymitis.
This disorder called epididymal-orchitis can be suffered by men from childhood to adulthood and can occur unilaterally or on both sides. The testicles are the male germ glands that are responsible for the production of sperm, while the epididymis is a tube that stores and transports the sperm produced in the testicles to the penis.
Next, in this FastlyHealarticle, you will learn much more about epididymal-orchitis: causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Table of Contents
Causes of epididymo-orchitis
The causes of epididymal-orchitis vary; its origin may be bacterial infections, trauma, injury, or ingestion of medications. Next, we will know them in more detail:
Infections
Various testicular infections can lead to epididymal-orchitis:
- Urinary tract infections: especially those originating in the urine, are caused by bacteria such as E Coli, Pseudomonas, Enterobacteriaceae, and gram-positive cocci.
- Sexually transmitted infections: sexually transmitted diseases caused by bacteria such as Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae can cause infection and testicular and epididymal inflammation.
Some of these infections can occur without epididymal-orchitis symptoms, which are discharged from the urethra and itching when urinating.
- Parotid gland infection is viral in origin and can cause orchitis, which consists of inflammation of the testicle. It often appears in boys or at puberty, when antibodies made against the mumps virus attack the cells of the testicle. It should be noted that this injury can trigger testicular atrophy in some cases.
- Secondary infections: such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis, can cause epididymitis in immunosuppressed men. In the same way, Brucellosis, also known as malt fever, can occur in men who have contact with sheep and may suffer from epididymitis.
Trauma
Receiving a blow or direct trauma to the scrotal area can cause pain and inflammation of the testicle and the epididymis, causing the appearance of epididymal orchitis.
Medicines
The intake of some heart medications, such as antiarrhythmic drugs, especially amiodarone, tends to accumulate in the head of the epididymis, causing testicular inflammation resulting in epididymal-orchitis.
You can check other possible causes in the article Causes of testicle pain.
Epididymo-orchitis symptoms
The symptoms of epididymal-orchitis vary and depend on the degree of involvement. However, it can be frequently evidenced:
- Severe pain in the scrotal region of sudden onset.
- Enlargement of the testicle.
- Fever or chills
- We increased urinary frequency.
- Pain and burning when urinating.
- Discharge from the penis, blood in the urine, and even in the semen.
In some cases, it can also affect the patient’s general condition, with nausea and vomiting.
Learn more in the article Swollen and stiff testicle: causes and treatment.
Epididymo-orchitis diagnosis
If you suspect that you have this condition, go to your trusted urologist, who will make the precise diagnosis of your situation, which could be epididymal orchitis, through an analysis, questions, and a physical examination.
Initially, the doctor will request:
- Blood or urine tests: to detect an infection.
- Culture and antibiogram of the urine: it is essential to detect the germ causing the infection. This will help prescribe the antibiotic to neutralize the bacteria causing the infection.
- Scrotal ultrasound: with this study, the increase in the size of the epididymis will be detected, and verifying how the blood flow is in the testicle.
If you suspect that you have this alteration, go to your urologist. The specialist indicates to make the diagnosis of this condition and suggests the best-personalized treatment according to the cause that originates it.
Epididymo-orchitis treatment
A urology specialist treats Epididymal-orchitis, and the indication for treatment will depend on the cause that is giving rise to the alteration.
Initially, the treatment will be pharmacological by prescribing an antibiotic for 21 days in cases of infection of bacterial origin. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen will also be recommended to reduce the symptoms of inflammation, pain, and fever.
If orchiepeididymitis is caused by the virus causes mumps, the doctor will indicate rest and drug treatment to control testicular pain or inflammation. On the other hand, if the ingestion of a drug causes epididymitis orchitis, it should be stopped immediately.
The surgical resolution is rare. It is done once drug treatment has not worked. This consists of a puncture made through the skin of the scrotum or a surgical incision when an abscess has occurred.
In addition to the treatment indicated by the urologist, it is recommended to take some general measures to ensure that the orchiepididymitis treatment works. Among these recommendations are:
- Bed rest for at least three days.
- Place local ice for 15 to 20 minutes to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Use jockstrap: this will make you feel more comfortable, especially when standing up.
- Do not lift a weight. This could aggravate inflammation and pain in the scrotal region.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Epididymo-Orchitis: causes, symptoms, and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Male reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.