Epididymitis is inflammation of your epididymis, a coiled tube at the back of your testicle that stores and carries sperm. This swelling can cause intense testicular pain.
What are the symptoms of epididymitis?
Epididymitis symptoms may include:
Pain in your scrotum, sometimes moving to the rest of your groin.
Most cases of epididymitis are caused by an infection called E. coli. Some cases happen from bacteria called Mycoplasma or Chlamydia. These infections often come by way of sexually transmitted infections.
Other infections, including the mumps virus and rarely, tuberculosis, can also cause epididymitis.
Sometimes, epididymitis occurs when pee (urine) flows backward into your epididymis. This can happen as a result of heavy lifting. Other epididymitis causes include:
Blockage in your urethra (the tube that carries pee from your body).
An enlarged or infected prostate gland (a muscular, walnut-sized gland that surrounds part of your urethra).
Use of a catheter (a tube that drains your bladder).
Surgery on the prostate, urethra or bladder.
Traumatic groin injury.
Can you get epididymitis without having an STD?
Yes. You can get epididymitis through nonsexually transmitted infections. For example, prostate or urinary tract infections can spread to your epididymis.
Is epididymitis contagious?
Yes. Epididymis can spread through sexual contact. While epididymitis isn’t categorized as an STD, it’s still a common symptom of many STDs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea.
How is epididymitis treated?
Epididymitis treatment involves antibiotics. The most common medications include doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Antibiotic treatment usually lasts about one to two weeks.
People with epididymitis can also relieve their symptoms by:
If epididymitis isn’t treated, complications can develop, such as an abscess (pus-filled sac) in your scrotum. Your scrotum’s skin may open because of swelling and infection.
In rare cases, epididymitis can cause fertility problems. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent these complications.
Will epididymitis go away?
With proper treatment, epididymitis will go away. It’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
What can happen if epididymitis is left untreated?
An epididymitis infection can lead to serious problems if it’s not treated in a timely manner. Chronic epididymitis could cause an abscess to form on your scrotum. Or it could destroy your epididymis, resulting in infertility. In some cases, the infection can spread to other parts of your body.
Does ejaculating hurt epididymitis?
While ejaculating doesn’t make an epididymitis infection worse, it can make the pain more intense for some people. It’s best to abstain from masturbation until you’re treated, and you definitely shouldn’t have sex with anyone until your healthcare provider gives you clearance.
To diagnose epididymitis, your healthcare provider will examine your scrotum to look for a tender area or lump. They may also order a urinalysis (urine test) to look for bacteria in your pee. In some cases of epididymitis, ultrasound technology may be used to take diagnostic images of your scrotum.
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