Epididymitis Introduction

What is epididymitis?

Epididymitis is an infection of the epididymis, which is a coiled structure located on the upper portion of the testicles. The epididymis is a structure that stores and matures sperm.

What causes epididymitis?

Epididymitis can be caused by sexually transmitted infections or by urinary tract infections. For men under the age of 35, the most common cause of epididymitis is by chlamydia or gonorrea infections. Men who have anal sex are also at risk for epididymitis. Because of the male anatomy, it is common for men with epididymitis to also be coinfected with urethritis.

For men older than 35, epididymitis is usually caused by a bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI). During a urinary infection, bacteria can travel from the urethra to the epididymitis.

Symptoms of epididymitis

The symptoms of epididymitis are usually scrotum pain and tenderness.  Pain can become severe and can spread to the groin area. The upper portion of both testicles may also feel swollen and appear enlarged.  The scrotum can appear red and enlarged.   Men with epididymitis tend to feel less pain when the scrotum is lifted up.  Men may also have symptoms of fever and problems with urination. 

Tests for epididymitis should include a urine test culture, as well as STD tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.  A urine sample will often find both white blood cells and bacteria.

Treatment of epididymitis

All types of epididymitis are treated by one or more antibiotics for several weeks. The type of antibiotics will depend on if your epididymitis is caused by sexually transmitted organisms or by urinary tract bacteria.  Read more about epididymitis antibiotic treatments.