Experiences with
EpididymitisCheck if it's epididymitis
Symptoms of epididymitis may include:
- sudden or gradual pain in 1 or both of your testicles (balls)
- the bag of skin containing your testicles (scrotum) feeling tender, warm and swollen
- a build-up of fluid around your testicle (a hydrocele) that feels like a lump or swelling
You may have other symptoms depending on the cause, such as difficulty peeing, or a white, yellow or green discharge from the tip of the penis.
Causes of epididymitis
Epididymitis is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. This is more likely in younger men under 35 years old.
If testing shows that your epididymitis is caused by a STI, it may be recommended that your current or recent sexual partners are also tested for STIs.
It can also be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI), but UTIs are less common in men.
A UTI is more likely if you have:
- an enlarged prostate gland
- a urinary catheter
- recently had surgery to the groin, prostate gland or bladder
Sometimes a cause cannot be found.
Treatments for epididymitis
If you have an infection, you'll usually be given antibiotics. Depending on the cause of the infection, you may be given antibiotic injections or tablets, or a combination of both.
It's important to finish the whole course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better.
You should start to feel better within a few days, but it may take up to 3 months to fully recover. If you still have symptoms after this, you might be referred for further tests.
There are some things you can do while you recover to help ease pain and swelling and prevent any further problems.
take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help with the pain – if you have a history of fits, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen should not be taken with some antibiotics used to treat epididymitis; speak to a pharmacist about the best painkiller to use if you're unsure
hold a cold pack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) on your groin
wear underwear that supports your scrotum
do not have sex if you have gonorrhoea or chlamydia until you have finished the full course of treatment
The main symptom of epididymitis is pain and swelling in 1 or both testicles.
Epididymitis is treated with antibiotics. Painkillers and cold packs (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) can help with the pain.
Epididymitis is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection or urinary tract infection.
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