Epididymitis is characterized by pain, redness, and swelling, usually in one testicle only.
Bacterial infections are the main cause of epididymitis, especiallysexually transmitted infections (STIs)likechlamydiaandgonorrhea.
Surgery may be needed in extreme cases.
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Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same.
Symptoms
Epididymitis refers toinflammationof the epididymis by any cause.
If the inflammation extends to the testicle, the condition is referred to asepididymo-orchitis.
Left untreated, acute epididymitis can lead to complications likehydroceles, in which fluid accumulates around the testicle.
Arguably more concerning is the formation of testicularabscessesandcysts.
Severe cases require surgical removal of the testicle.
The three most common causes are:
Sexually active men who areuncircumcisedare at greater risk of these infections.
Non-Infectious Causes
There are also non-infectious causes of epididymitis that can affect both adult males and boys.
The provider may also check for discharge, often revealed by gently milking the penis with gloved hands.
Even so, it is important to take the drugs to completion even if symptoms resolve.
Stopping short prevents the complete eradication of bacteria, some of which can mutate and lead toantibiotic resistance.
There are also non-infectious causes in men and boys.
As epididymitis is most commonly resulting from bacteria, antibiotics are the primary form of treatment.
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