See a doctor if you have discharge from your penis or pain when you urinate. The male reproductive system makes, stores and moves sperm. Testicles produce sperm. Fluid from the seminal vesicles and prostate gland combine with sperm to make semen. The penis ejaculates semen during sexual intercourse. Certain sexual behaviors that can lead to STIs put you at risk of sexually transmitted epididymitis, including having:.
To help protect against STIs that can cause epididymitis practice safer sex. If you have recurrent urninary tract infections or other risk factors for epididymitis, your doctor might discuss with you other ways of preventing a recurrence. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Epididymitis ep-ih-did-uh-MY-tis is an inflammation of the coiled tube epididymis at the back of the testicle that stores and carries sperm. Epididymitis Open pop-up dialog box Close. When this tube becomes swollen, it can cause pain and swelling in the testicles. The condition usually improves with antibiotics. Acute epididymitis lasts six weeks or less. In most cases of acute epididymitis, the testes are also inflamed.
This condition is called epididymo-orchitis. It can be difficult to tell whether the testes, epididymis, or both are inflamed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , gonorrhea and chlamydia are the most common causes in men 35 years old or younger.
Chronic epididymitis, on the other hand, lasts six weeks or more. Symptoms include discomfort or pain in the scrotum, epididymis, or the testicles. This may be caused by granulomatous reactions, which can result in cysts or calcifications. Epididymitis may begin with only a few mild symptoms. The most common cause of epididymitis is an STI, specifically gonorrhea and chlamydia. However, epididymitis can also be caused by a nonsexually transmitted infection, such as a urinary tract infection UTI or prostate infection.
Read more: What causes groin pain? STIs are a common cause of epididymitis. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are the most common. These infections will cause an infection in the urethra. These infections will sometimes travel down the vas deferens to the epididymis or testes to cause an infection there. Nonsexually transmitted infections, such as those that come from UTIs or tuberculosis, can travel from the urethra or other parts of the body to infect or cause inflammation of the epididymis.
Children can get epididymitis just as adults can, though inflammation is more likely to have a different cause. The treatment of pediatric epididymitis will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. In many causes, the condition may resolve on its own, aided by rest and pain relievers like ibuprofen.
In a bacterial infection, like one that would come from a UTI, antibiotics may be prescribed. Epididymitis will cause pain in one or both testicles. The affected area will also be red, swollen, and warm to touch. If it is left untreated, it will worsen over time. Symptoms will usually depend on the cause of the epididymitis. For example, discharge from the penis is likely to be due to an STI, while the urge to urinate probably results from a UTI. Symptoms of epididymitis can also be similar to those of testicular torsion , a condition that sees the testicle twist and cut off the blood supply and which requires emergency surgical treatment.
As a result, if a person experiences any of these symptoms they should see a doctor straight away. In children, the most common symptoms are:. It can often be hard to tell the difference between epididymitis and testicular torsion, particularly in younger men. Treatment will be provided based on what is causing the epididymitis. If it is a bacterial infection, the doctor will probably prescribe a course of antibiotics. If the infection was caused by an STI, the man must tell their sexual partners.
They will also need to abstain from having sex until the treatment is completed. As well as this, doctors will probably also recommend painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, to reduce pain and swelling. In general, once treatment has started the pain associated with epididymitis will go within 1 to 3 days. However, some of the symptoms can take months to disappear. In more severe cases, a person may have to stay in the hospital and may require some surgical procedures.
Follow-up exams with the doctor will also be necessary to make sure the infection has cleared up. In most cases, epididymitis clears up with antibiotics and bed rest, and there are no long-term sexual or reproductive problems.
In the case of chronic epididymitis, doctors will not prescribe antibiotics as inflammation occurs without an infection. Most men have asymmetrical testicles.
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