It can be really distressing and scary for a man to feel pain or discomfort in his testicles. You may even feel embarrassed to talk about it with someone. But this kind of pain is an important signal from your body telling you that something is wrong here. Therefore, it is not good to ignore it. Today we are talking about a condition called epididymitis, which is common among men and can cause this kind of pain and discomfort.
Simply put, what is epididymitis?
To understand this, let's first learn a little about the relevant part of our body. Every man has two testicles. Their main function is to produce sperm. Now these produced sperm are stored, matured, and prepared for release with semen in a long, coiled tube-like part located behind the testicle. This part is called the epididymis .
Now imagine that for some reason, especially a bacterial infection, this tube called the epididymis becomes inflamed . That means it swells, becomes red, and becomes painful. That's what we call epididymitis. This can be a very uncomfortable and painful experience.
There are two main types of epididymitis:
Doctors divide it into two main types, depending on the symptoms you experience and how long they last.
| Type of epididymitis | Its nature |
|---|---|
| Acute Epididymitis (sudden onset) | In this case, the symptoms start suddenly and get worse quickly. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection. There is a lot of pain and swelling. |
| Chronic Epididymitis (long-term condition) | In this case, pain and discomfort persist for more than 6 weeks. Sometimes the pain subsides and then recurs. The pain is usually less severe than in the acute condition. |
What symptoms does someone with epididymitis experience?
You may experience these symptoms one by one. You may also experience several of them together.
- Testicular pain: This is the main symptom. Pain can occur on one or both sides of the testicle. This pain can gradually spread to the groin area. While the pain may be mild for some people, it can be unbearable for others.
- Swelling of the testicles: Along with the pain, the testicles may swell and feel hot to the touch.
- Fever and chills: It is common to have a fever when there is an infection in the body.
- Painful urination (Dysuria): This symptom can occur when there is an infection or inflammation of the urinary tract.
- Blood in the semen (Hematospermia): This doesn't happen to everyone, but some people may notice blood mixed in their semen when it comes out.
- Feeling like a lump in the testicle: The swollen epididymis may feel like a lump when touched.
Why does this situation occur? What are the main reasons?
The main cause of epididymitis is a bacterial infection , but the way this infection occurs can change with age.
For those under 35 years of age
The main cause of epididymitis in young, sexually active men is usually sexually transmitted infections (STIs) . Specifically:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
These types of infections travel along the urethra and enter the epididymis, causing inflammation.
For those over 35 years old
The main cause of epididymitis in this age group is a urinary tract infection. Simply put, some infected urine flows backwards (backflows) into the epididymis. This is mainly caused by a bacteria called E. coli . This is a bacteria that is normally found in our digestive tract.
Other reasons
In addition to the above reasons, this situation can occur due to several other factors.
- Urinary tract obstruction: When urine cannot completely drain out due to reasons such as an enlarged prostate, the urine remaining in the bladder can become infected and flow backward.
- Prostatitis: When the prostate gland becomes infected, it can spread to the epididymis.
- Urinary catheter use: People who have a urinary catheter in place for a long time due to a medical condition are at increased risk of developing infections.
- An injury to the groin area: This condition can also occur due to damage to this area from an accident or assault.
- Certain medications: The heart medication Amiodarone can also rarely cause epididymitis.
The most important thing is that if this condition is caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it can be passed from you to your partner. Therefore, it is essential to get proper treatment.
How do you find this, Doctor?
When you see a doctor with these symptoms, he or she will first ask you about your symptoms in detail. Then, they will examine your scrotum area to check for pain, swelling, or lumps. In addition, they may perform several tests to determine the exact cause.
- Urinalysis: A urine sample is taken and checked for bacteria or signs of infection.
- Blood test: This helps to confirm whether there is an infection in the body.
- Swab test: If a sexually transmitted disease is suspected, a small sample (swab) is taken from the urethral opening of the penis and sent to a laboratory for testing.
- Ultrasound Scan: This can clearly check for swelling, blood flow, and other serious conditions (such as testicular torsion) in the testicles and epididymis.
How is it treated? Can this be cured?
Yes, this condition can definitely be treated. The treatment depends on the cause of your epididymitis.
If there is a bacterial infection
Most often, the cause is a bacterial infection, and the main treatment is antibiotics . Your doctor will prescribe the right antibiotics for you.
- Doxycycline ( Doxycycline )
- Ciprofloxacin
- Drugs like Levofloxacin are commonly used.
You usually have to take these medications for a week or two. The most important thing is to take the full dose of medication prescribed by your doctor for the full duration. Do not stop taking the medication because your symptoms have subsided. Doing so may cause the infection to return without being completely cured.
If it is caused by tuberculosis
Very rarely, epididymitis can also be caused by tuberculosis. In this case, you will need to take special tuberculosis medications for a long period of time, about 6-9 months.
If due to the drug Amiodarone
If it is confirmed that this medication is causing your epididymitis, your doctor will either reduce the dose of that medication or switch you to a different medication. Never stop taking your medication or change the dosage on your own without first asking your doctor.
Things you can do at home to reduce pain during treatment
It will take a few days for the infection to clear up with antibiotics. In the meantime, you can do these things to help reduce pain and discomfort.
- Rest: Get as much bed rest as possible. Avoid walking or lifting heavy objects.
- Scrotal Elevation: This can help reduce swelling and pain. While lying down, roll up a small towel and place it under your scrotum to elevate it slightly.
- Apply Ice Packs: Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean cloth and place them on the painful area for about 15-20 minutes. Do this several times a day.
- Wear supportive underwear: Wearing slightly tight, supportive underwear (like athletic supporter) can help reduce testicular sagging and control pain.
- Drink plenty of water: Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day.
- Painkillers: You can take NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) as directed by your doctor. However, these may not be appropriate for people with other medical conditions, so always consult your doctor before taking any medication.
When should I see a doctor? When should I go to the Emergency Department (ETU)?
This is very important.
If you experience sudden, severe pain in your testicles, it is not a good idea to delay it for even a minute. Go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. This is because this type of pain can be caused by epididymitis, as well as a condition called 'Testicular Torsion', which is a twisting of the testicle. If it is not treated within a few hours, it can cause permanent damage to the testicle.
If you have symptoms like general pain, swelling, and fever, see your family doctor as soon as possible.
Take-Home Message
- Epididymitis is an inflammation of the epididymis, a tube located behind the testicles. It is a common condition in men.
- Testicular pain, swelling, fever, and urinary tract infection are the main symptoms. Don't be shy about talking about this.
- The cause is often a bacterial infection. This could be due to a sexually transmitted disease (STI) or a urinary tract infection.
- Antibiotics can completely cure this. Take the full course of medication prescribed by your doctor for the full duration.
- Sudden, severe testicular pain is a medical emergency. Go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- Pain and swelling can be controlled by getting plenty of rest, applying ice, and wearing supportive underwear during treatment.
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