Epididymitis Specialists

Associated Urologists of North Carolina

Urologists located in Apex, Cary, Clayton, Dunn, Raleigh & Wake Forest, NC

Fortunately, even with epididymitis, you can protect your reproductive health and find relief from your pain with the right individualized medical care. At the Associated Urologists of North Carolina, the friendly medical experts have extensive experience diagnosing and treating epididymitis to protect the male reproductive system at seven offices in Apex, Cary, Clayton, Dunn, Raleigh, or Wake Forest, North Carolina. If you have symptoms or concerns, don’t wait. Take charge of your health and call the Associated Urologists of North Carolina or book an appointment through the online scheduling system.

Epididymitis Q & A

What is Epididymitis?

Epididymitis refers to inflammation of the epididymis, the coiled tube at the back of the testicle, which stores and carries sperm.

Men can get epididymitis at any age.

What are the Symptoms of Epididymitis?

Epididymitis symptoms include:

A red, warm, or swollen scrotum
Testicle tenderness and pain
Painful or frequent urination
The urgent need to urinate
Discharge from the penis
Discomfort or pain in the pelvic or lower abdominal area
Blood in the semen
Fever in more rare instances

If epididymitis is recurring or lasts longer than six weeks, it’s considered chronic.

If you notice any scrotal pain or swelling of the area, you should visit the Associated Urologists of North Carolina. If your scrotal pain is severe, you might need to visit the emergency room of your local hospital.

What Causes Epididymitis?

Epididymitis might be caused by:

Sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia
Other infections, such as bacterial, viral, urinary tract, or prostate infections
Urine that flows backward into the epididymis
Trauma, such as a groin injury
Tuberculosis infection

Some sexual behaviors can lead to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and increase your risk of developing epididymitis, such as having intercourse with a partner who has an STI.

Other factors that might increase your risk of developing epididymitis include:

History of prostate or urinary tract infections
History of medical procedures affecting the urinary tract
An uncircumcised penis
Anatomical abnormality of the urinary tract

Without proper care, epididymitis can lead to certain complications, such as an abscess in the scrotum and reduced fertility. Epididymitis can spread to the testicle.

How is Epididymitis Diagnosed?

Your provider checks for an enlarged testicle on the affected side and enlarged lymph nodes in your groin area. Your provider might also perform a rectal examination to look for prostate tenderness or enlargement.

Your provider might recommend certain testing, such as an STI screening, blood and urine testing, or an ultrasound.

How is Epididymitis Treated?

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial epididymitis. If the cause of the bacterial infection is an STI, your sexual partner should be treated as well.

You can also rest and support the scrotum with a special athletic strap. Taking pain medication and applying ice packs can also provide relief.

Surgery might be necessary in some cases — for example, if an abscess has formed or underlying physical abnormalities are causing the epididymitis. In some cases, part or all of the epididymis needs to be surgically removed (epididymectomy).

You can depend on the Associated Urologists of North Carolina for top quality medical care. Call or book an appointment online today.