About the disease

Epididymitis is the inflammatory process, which develops in the tubes responsible for storing and transporting the sperm. These tubes develop near the testicles and also are known as epididymis, that`s why the disease has this specific name. Epididymitis can develop both in children and adults, although it is much more common in adult men, who are more susceptible to contract different sexual infections. The most common causes of epididymitis is chlamydia, which is sexually transmitted bacterial infection, and gonorrhea, also sexually transmitted infection. In children epididymitis can develop as a result of previous trauma of the urinary tract, which affected the epididymis. Epididymitis is not dangerous rarely causing any serious complications, although in some cases it can indeed result in infertility if not treated on time. In some cases damage to the testicular tissue can also be brought by this infection. In this case, only one of the testicles can actively produce sperm, but very often it does not prevent a male from the ability to conceive a child. When epididymitis develops, the epididymis becomes swollen and larger in size. As a result, testicles swell as well and become painful. This is the most common manifestation of epididymitis, that`s why this infection is usually diagnosed in its early stages. On average, males develop epididymitis between the ages 20-35. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the biggest amount of epididymitis were recorded in men younger 35. Epididymitis usually lasts approximately 6 weeks, although if epididymitis is chronic it can last more than 6 weeks. In some cases, the inflammation develops in the testicles as well. Males who have unprotected sex with several partners are in the risk group. Being uncircumcised is considered to also contribute to danger of developing epididymitis.

Symptoms

• Pain in the testicles
• Swollen testicles
• Tenderness in the testicles area, which can turn into pressure
• Low fever
• Pain during sexual intercourse and during ejaculation
• General discomfort in the scrotum area
• Frequent urination
• In progressed stages, blood in the sperm, although this symptoms is rare

Diagnosis

• During a physical examination doctor will examine testicles to determine if they are swollen and if there are any painful areas.
• During a rectal examination doctor will also examine the prostate to determine if it is enlarged which in some cases can cause epididymitis.
• Blood count test is used to determine if a person has infection and if it is bacterial or viral.
• Urinalysis is used to determine the type of infection, which affected the urinary tract and resulted in epididymitis.
• Sperm sample test is used to check if a male has chlamydia or other sexually transmitted disease, which could have contributed to development of epididymitis.

Treatment

• Conservative treatment uses antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to fight the infection which caused inflammation and also to alleviate the pain. Usually, man fully recovers 6 weeks after the beginning of infection progression.

Surgical treatment is used if the abscess accumulated in the testciles. Then, it can be drained with a special fine needle during aspiration procedure. Also, in progressed stages epididymis can be removed as well.

Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Farrukh Ahmed