Epididymitis is the infection of an epididymis. Epididymis is  found at the posterior lateral side of the testis with its main purpose been to collect and store sperm, produced by testicles before an ejaculation. In older adults, epididymits occurs as a result of prostatitis, BPH or an urinary tract infection that descend downwards to the testis. 

 

In young male who are still on their pre-puberty stage, it is most commonly caused by E-coli. In male below 35 years old, the main cause of epididymitis is Chlamydia Trachomatis; a gram negative bacteria  that is responsible for Chlamydia - a sexually transmitted disease. It can also develop from gonorrhea infection as a complication. 

 

Epididymitis Symptoms

Epididymitis Diagnostic Tests

Epididymitis is diagnosed by use of the following tests;

Epididymitis Treatment

The kind of treatment given depends on what is causing the infection, if the infection is caused by bacteria like Chlamydia Trachomatis, the infected patient plus his sexual partner are treated with antibiotics.  The patient is then observed for atleast 2 weeks and if no improvement occurs, he is further evaluated for other medical conditions, such as testicular tumor. Pain relievers are also prescribed.

 

For patient with recurrent infection or painful chronic infections that does not respond to treatment, epididymectomy (removal of epididymis from the testis) may be performed.

Other non-pharmaceutical ways and health education given to the patient include;

Epididymitis Complication

Possible complications associated with epididymitis include;