Epididymitis and Epididymo-orchitis

Epididymitis is painful inflammation of the epididymis.

Epididymo-orchitis is painful inflammation of both the epididymis and testicle.

• Epididymitis and epididymo-orchitis usually start from a bacterial infection

• Doctors treat these disorders with antibiotics

Male Reproductive Organs

Epididymitis and epididymo-orchitis are usually caused by a bacterial infection. The infection can be caused by:

• Surgery

• A urinary catheter (a soft rubber tube that the doctor puts through your penis and into the bladder to let the urine out)

• A urinary tract infection

• Sometimes, a sexually transmitted infection

Sometimes, you can get epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis without having an infection. Doctors think this may be caused by some urine flowing backward and causing irritation.

The symptoms of epididymitis and epididymo-orchitis are:

• Swelling and tenderness near one of the testicles

• Pain, which can be constant and severe

• Sometimes, feeling sick and throwing up

• Sometimes, fever

Pain from epididymitis usually comes on gradually. Pain from epididymo-orchitis usually comes on more rapidly.

If you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you may also have other symptoms, such as a discharge (clear, yellow, or green fluid coming out of your penis).

Epididymitis and epididymo-orchitis usually get better fast with treatment. But sometimes inflammation can happen again or last several weeks (chronic epididymitis).

Doctors suspect epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis based on a physical examination. They'll usually also do:

• A urine test to look for infection

• Sometimes, ultrasound, to be sure that you don't have a twisted testicle (testicular torsion)

Doctors will have you:

• Take antibiotics

• Take pain medicine

• Rest as much as needed

• Use ice packs on the painful area

• Wear a jockstrap (athletic supporter) to support your testicles

If the infection gets worse and you have an abscess (collection of pus), your doctor will do surgery to drain the pus.