Description

Orchitis (o-KIE-tis) refers to infection or inflammation and irritation, the call of inflammation of one or both testicles. Infections are the common causes of orchitis. These include sexually transmitted infections (Stis) and infection with the mumps virus.

Orchitis is often associated with an infection of the epididymis, a coiled tube in the back of the testicle that stores and carries sperm. Infection of the epididymis is called epididymitis. With orchitis, the condition is called epididymo-orchitis.

Orchitis can cause pain and swelling. It is usually treated with supportive underwear, cold packs, medicines called anti-inflammatory drugs and, in some cases, medicines called antibiotics. But it can take several weeks or even months for the tenderness in the scrotum.

Rarely, severe orchitis may affect being able to have children, called the fertility. This happens most often in people who acquire the infection during childhood or adolescence.

Symptoms

Orchitis symptoms most often occur quickly. These may include:

  • Inflammation of one or both testicles.
  • The pain ranging from mild to very bad.
  • Fever.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Sensation of discomfort, called discomfort.

When to see a doctor

Pain or swelling in the scrotum that occurs quickly, consult with your medical professional immediately.

A number of conditions that can cause pain in the testes. Many of them are going to disappear on their own. But some are in need of immediate treatment.

One such condition involves torsion of the spermatic cord, called testicular torsion. The pain of this you can feel the pain of orchitis. Your healthcare provider may do tests to find out what condition is the cause of your pain.

Causes

Infection with viruses or bacteria that can cause orchitis. Sometimes a cause can't be found.

Orchitis bacterial

More often, orchitis bacterial is linked to or is the result of epididymitis. An infection of the urethra or the bladder that extends to the epididymis most often causes epididymitis. Sometimes, a sexually transmitted infection is the cause. But this is a less common cause of orchitis in adults.

Viral orchitis

The mumps virus most often causes the viral orchitis. Almost a third of the people assigned male at birth who get mumps after puberty get orchitis. This happens with greater frequency of 4 to 7 days after parotitis onset. Thanks to the routine childhood vaccinations for mumps, parotitis, orchitis happens less often than it used to.

Risk factors

The factors that increase the risk of orchitis include untreated conditions that block the urinary tract. These include enlargement of the prostate or scar tissue in the urethra, called a urethral stricture.

Procedures performed through the urethra also increase the risk of orchitis. These include having a tube, called a catheter, or a field of application in the bladder.

The main factor of risk for mumps orchitis is not receiving the vaccine against mumps.

Sexual behaviors that can lead to sexually transmitted infections put you at risk of sexually transmitted orchitis. These behaviors include:

  • More than one sexual partner.
  • Sex with a partner who has an STI.
  • Sex without a condom.
  • A personal history of an STI.

Complications

More often, orchitis gets better with supportive care. It may take several weeks or months before the pain and the swelling disappears. Rarely, complications of orchitis may include:

  • Testicular Atrophy. Over time, orchitis may cause the affected testicle to shrink.
  • Abscess scrotal. The infected tissue filled with pus.
  • The infertility. Sometimes, orchitis can cause that you will not be able to have a son, called infertility. Or you can make your body produce too little testosterone, a condition known as hypogonadism. But these are less likely to occur if the orchitis affects only one testicle.

Prevention

To help prevent orchitis:

  • Receive the mumps vaccine, the most common cause of viral orchitis.
  • The practice of safe sex to help protect against the Stis that can cause orchitis caused by bacteria.
  • Talk with your health care professional if you have problems with urination. That may mean that you have an obstruction or other condition that can lead to orchitis.

Diagnosis

Your health care professional to begin with your health history and a physical examination. The test checks for the enlargement of the lymph nodes in the groin, and enlargement of the testicle on the affected side. You could also have a rectal exam to check for prostate enlargement or tenderness.

Tests may include:

  • STI screen. If you have discharge from your urethra, your health care professional makes a narrow swab on the end of your penis to obtain a sample of the discharge. The sample goes to a lab for tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Some STI screens were performed with a urine test.
  • Urine test. A sample of your urine to a lab for study. The test can rule out a bacterial infection.
  • Ultrasound. This imaging test is to find the cause of testicular pain. Ultrasound with color Doppler can show if the blood flow to the testicles is lower than it should be. This could mean that you have torsion. A higher than normal blood flow helps to confirm the diagnosis of orchitis.

Treatment

The treatment depends on the cause of orchitis.

The treatment of orchitis bacterial

Antibiotics treat bacterial orchitis and epididymo-orchitis. If the cause of the bacterial infection is a sexually transmitted infection, your sexual partner also needs treatment.

Take all antibiotics as prescribed by your health care professional prescribes, even if your symptoms ease of before. This is to ensure that the infection has cleared.

The scrotum may be sore for several weeks or months after treatment. Rest, support the scrotum with an athletic strap, apply cold compresses and take medications to help relieve the pain.

The treatment of viral orchitis

The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms. You can:

  • Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve). Be sure to talk with your health care professional before taking these medications if you take blood thinners or have kidney disease.
  • Rest in bed with your scrotum elevated.
  • The use of cold compresses.

Most of the people with orchitis start to feel better in 3 to 10 days. But it may take a couple of weeks for the scrotum to stop being a tender. Sometimes, the pain and the swelling may last for several months.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To relieve the discomfort:

  • The bed rest.
  • Bedtime for the scrotum elevated.
  • Put cold compresses on his scrotum.
  • Do not lift heavy objects.

Preparing for your appointment

You may be sent to a specialist in urinary problems, which is called a urologist. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms and when they began.
  • Your childhood diseases and the vaccines. Include recent illnesses, especially the Sti or the mumps.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you take, including over-dose.
  • Questions to ask your health care team.

For orchitis, the questions may include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • What are other possible causes?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What treatments are there?
  • How much time will pass before you begin to feel better?
  • Is this condition affects if I have children?
  • Do I need to limit my sexual activity?

Be sure to ask all the questions that you have.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask questions such as:

  • How bad are the symptoms?
  • What treatments have you tried?
  • What, in any case, it seems to relieve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Does the practice of safer sex? How many partners do you have? How to use a condom?
Symptoms and treatment of Orchitis