Epididymitis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Epididymitis is inflammation (pain and swelling) of your epididymis. The epididymis is a long curled tube inside your scrotum (sack of skin under your penis). Each tube is found at the back of your testicle (egg-shaped organ). It stores and carries sperm from your testicles to your penis. Epididymitis usually only occurs in one testicle, but may also occur in both. It may be an acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) condition. Acute epididymitis lasts for six weeks or less while chronic lasts for three months or more.
  
  
• You may have fever, chills, a lump in your scrotum, penile discharge, or blood in your semen. You may feel pain when passing urine or while having sex. Your testicle may also be red and swollen, and it may feel painful. Your caregiver may carefully check your genital area. You may need lab tests, an ultrasound, and surgery to check inside your scrotum. Treatment will depend on what caused your condition. Treatment may include medicines to treat infection and pain, or you may need surgery. With treatment, your symptoms may be relieved and your condition may go away.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Most cases of epididymitis will go away with treatment. In some cases, your condition may worsen and become chronic even with treatment. Medicines used to treat epididymitis may cause an allergic response. You may have itching, redness, and swelling of your skin, and you may have trouble breathing. The medicines may also cause diarrhea (loose bowel movements) or kidney problems. If you have surgery, you may be at risk for bleeding or getting an infection.
  
  
• If epididymitis is left untreated, you may have increased pain that cannot be controlled. Germs causing your infection may enter your tissues and cause an abscess (collection of pus). The infection may also spread to other parts of your body. An infection of your blood will make you very sick and may even lead to death. Ask your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your condition, care, or treatment.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

IV:

An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Blood tests:

You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.

Ice:

Putting an ice pack, covered with a towel, on your swollen testicle may help decrease your symptoms. Cold causes blood vessels to get smaller which helps decrease swelling, pain, and redness. Put an ice pack on the painful area for 15 to 20 minutes every hour as long as needed. Do not sleep on the ice pack because you may get frostbite.

Vital signs:

Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.

Medicines:

You may be given the following medicines:

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Antifungal medicine: This medicine helps kill fungus that can cause illness.
  
  
• Anti-inflammatory medicine: This medicine may help decrease and prevent swelling. Common anti-inflammatory medicines used for treatment include steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs). NSAIDs may also help decrease pain and a high body temperature (fever). This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Always read the medicine label and follow the directions on it before using this medicine.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain.
  
  
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe to ask for your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling a caregiver when you want to get out of bed or if you need help.

Scrotal support:

Your caregiver may tell you to move and raise your scrotum to relieve the pain. While sitting, put a pillow or rolled up towel under your scrotum for support.

Tests:

• Lab tests: These include tests to check what germ is causing your condition. A sample of your blood or urine may be taken. If you have discharge coming from your penis, it may also be used as a sample. The sample will be sent to a lab for tests.
  
  
• Ultrasound: This test lets your caregiver see and check for problems inside your scrotum. Sound waves are used to show pictures of your scrotum on a TV-like screen. Your caregiver will check for problems such as bleeding, lumps, and abnormal blood flow .
  
  
• Nuclear scan: In this test, you will be given a small amount of radioactive material into your blood. Special cameras will then be used to look for areas of your testicles that have more blood flow.

Treatment options:

You may need surgery if your condition worsens or becomes chronic. You may also need surgery if other treatments have failed. Surgery to remove your epididymis or testicle may be done to treat your condition. You may also need surgery to treat a problem that is causing your condition. This includes surgery to correct a urinary tract problem.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Epididymitis (Inpatient Care)