Orchitis
Orchitis is inflammation of one or both testicles The disease is usually caused by a bacterial infection or the mumps virus
Bacterial orchitis is caused by sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. Bacterial orchitis is often caused by epididymitis, inflammation of the coiled tube (epididymis) in the back of the testicles. The epididymis stores and transports sperm In this case, the condition is called epididymo-orchitis
Orchitis causes pain and affects fertility Bacterial orchitis can be treated and some of the symptoms caused by viral orchitis can be relieved with medication However, it takes several weeks for the scrotal pain to go away
Orchitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection Sometimes the cause of orchitis is unknown (idiopathic orchitis). Epididymitis is usually caused by inflammation of the urethra or bladder that spreads to the epididymis.
Often, the cause of the infection is a sexually transmitted infection Other causes of infection: birth with a defect in the urinary tract, insertion of a catheter or other medical instruments into the penis
Viral orchitis Viral orchitis is usually caused by the mumps virus. After puberty, infection with the mumps virus causes orchitis in one-third of people Orchitis is formed 4-7 days after the development of mumps
Symptoms of orchitis usually develop suddenly and may include:
- Swelling in one or both testicles
- Pain that can be mild or severe
- Pain in one or both testicles that may last for several weeks
- Fever
- Feeling nauseous However, groin pain is referred to the skin between the thigh and abdomen, not the testicles. The causes of groin pain are different from the causes of testicles
When to see a doctor
If you experience pain and swelling in the scrotum, especially if the pain develops suddenly, see a doctor
Several conditions can cause testicular pain, and some of them require immediate medical attention. One such condition is represented by torsion of the testicles, which causes orchitis-like pain The doctor will prescribe tests to determine the cause of the pain
