Are you experiencing painful heaviness in your testicular region? Frequently that type of discomfort is either caused by inflammation of a testicle or epididymis. This health blurb offers information relating to causes, symptoms and treatment of the later, what’s medically referred to as epididymitis.
So what exactly is a epididymis? Your epididymis is a sperm storing and carrying tube that’s situated behind each testicle. Essentially, it’s part of the reproductive system.
What causes epididymitis? An inflamed epididymis is often caused by an UTI, bladder infection or prostate infection with bacteria that has spread. Another common cause is an STD, principally gonorrhea or chlamydia. Occasionally, other epididymitis causes are found, for instance a fungal infection, taking amiodarone, tuberculosis or the backward flow of urine due to straining or heavy lifting.
For the most part, epididymitis symptoms start with a painful heaviness in your testicle area. Additional epididymitis symptoms depend on what’s causing it and may include:
- fever
- chills
- dysuria
- pelvic pain
- bloody semen
- testicular lump
- groin tenderness
- urethral discharge
- lower abdominal pain
- painful intercourse, ejaculation
- swollen lymph nodes around groin
- scrotum tenderness, swelling, redness, warmth
Symptoms of epididymitis usually cease with treatment. However, some have recurrences over and over for no identifiable reason, what’s known as chronic epididymitis.
Epididymitis treatment when a bacteria infection is the cause requires taking an antibiotic. Also, you may need to take a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory to control some of your symptoms. Should an abscess develop, it may need draining as well. Infection causing epididymitis symptoms will usually improve within a couple of days.
If taking amiodarone is your cause, treatment involves lowering the dosage or changing to another drug altogether.
To help with your uncomfortable symptoms during the treatment phase, try lying down and elevating your scrotal area with a towel underneath and apply cold pack for about 30 minutes. When up and about be sure to wear supportive underwear or an athletic support.