Can Epididymitis Cause Scrotal Pain?

Epididymitis can cause pain. It can easily cause pain, swelling, and fever in the scrotum, which is considered to be caused by bacterial infection. Epididymitis may also result in induration.

Epididymitis is often caused by a bacterial infection or sexually transmitted disease, which is more common in young and sexually active people aged 15 to 35, affecting about 600,000 people in the U.S. annually.

According to the onset time and symptoms, it can be divided into acute epididymitis and chronic epididymitis. Chronic epididymitis may be caused by incomplete treatment of acute epididymitis.

Acute epididymitis is characterized by obvious swelling pain and skin redness in the scrotum. The pain is aggravated and radiated to other parts, such as the groin and the lower abdomen, becomes intolerable during standing and walking, and is often accompanied by elevated body temperature and frequent and urgent urination.

According to causes, symptoms of chronic epididymitis vary greatly. Common symptoms are pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen, groin or scrotum and unilateral or bilateral irregular swelling of the epididymis.

When touching the epididymis, it can be found that the epididymis is slightly enlarged and stiffened with mild tenderness, and some of them may find the epididymal mass. Generally, these symptoms last for 3 months or more.

The following can also cause scrotal pain:

1. Testicular injury. If the patient has symptoms of testicular damage, it may also lead to symptoms of scrotal swelling and pain. If the patient hits the testicles accidentally because of external forces, then it is easy to appear testicle lesions. If there is a symptom of scrotal swelling pain, it shows that the degree of testicular lesions is more serious. It needs a prompt examination in the hospital to avoid affecting the patient's sexual function.

2. Other diseases. When patients have swelling pain in the scrotum, in addition to the cause of epididymitis, it may be caused by other diseases, such as balanitis, penis inflammation, testicular cancer, varicocele, and so on, which are likely to cause swelling pain in the penis.

Treatment of epididymitis:

The treatment of epididymitis is not complicated, and most can be cured, but early and formal treatment is essential. The primary treatment is to control infection and relieve discomfort. Self-medication is not recommended. Doctors should be consulted for symptomatic treatment in time.

1. General treatment and daily care. It is recommended to rest in bed, elevate or ice the scrotum to relieve pain, avoid physical activity, and refrain from sexual activity.

2. Antibacterial treatment. The antibacterial treatment of epididymitis should first be based on bacterial culture and drug sensitivity tests to select appropriate antibiotics. Commonly used drugs include levofloxacin, cephalosporin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, etc.

Chronic epididymitis generally needs 4-6 weeks of treatment to cure the infection completely. Acute epididymitis should also be thoroughly controlled to prevent becoming chronic.

Therefore, once treated, you must complete an entire course of antibiotics to treat the infection, even if you feel asymptomatic. You should also see your doctor after completing your medication to make sure the infection has cleared and to ensure a full recovery.

3. Painkillers. Painkillers, such as ibuprofen, are mainly used to relieve scrotum and lower abdominal pain. If the pain worsens, lidocaine and dexamethasone may also be taken as block therapy.

4. Surgical treatment. Generally, epididymitis does not require surgical treatment, but it is also one of the options for severe cases. In the case of acute abscess epididymitis, a puncture or incision of the epididymis or testis may be necessary to drain the abscess. For intractable pain and ischemic injury to the epididymis and testis, removal of the epididymis or testis may be necessary, which can cause sterility.

5. Other treatment. If due to the recurrence of reproductive system infection, such as urinary tract infection, prostatitis, and venereal disease, it should be treated at the same time.