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Orchitis

Epididymo - orchitis; Testis infection

 

Orchitis is swelling (inflammation) of one or both of the testicles .

Causes

 

Orchitis may be caused by an infection. Many types of bacteria and viruses can cause this condition.

The most common virus that causes orchitis is mumps . It most often occurs in boys after puberty. Orchitis most often develops 4 to 6 days after the mumps begins. Mumps is now rare in the United States due to childhood vaccinations.

Orchitis may also occur along with infections of the prostate or epididymis.

Orchitis may be caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as gonorrhea or chlamydia . The rate of sexually transmitted orchitis or epididymitis is higher in men ages 19 to 35.

Risk factors for sexually transmitted orchitis include:

  • High-risk sexual behaviors
  • Multiple sexual partners
  • Personal history of gonorrhea or another STI
  • Sexual partner with a diagnosed STI

Risk factors for orchitis not due to an STI include:

  • Being older than age 45
  • Long-term use of a Foley catheter
  • Not being vaccinated against the mumps
  • Problems of the urinary tract that were present at birth (congenital)
  • Repeated urinary tract infections
  • Surgery of the urinary tract (genitourinary surgery)

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms include:

  • Pain in the testicle
  • Blood in the semen
  • Discharge from penis
  • Fever
  • Groin pain
  • Pain with intercourse or ejaculation
  • Pain with urination (dysuria)
  • Scrotal swelling
  • Tender, swollen groin area on affected side
  • Tender, swollen, heavy feeling in the testicle

 

Exams and Tests

 

A physical exam may show:

  • Enlarged or tender prostate gland
  • Tender and enlarged lymph nodes in the groin (inguinal) area on the affected side
  • Tender and enlarged testicle on the affected side

Tests may include:

  • Complete blood count ( CBC )
  • Testicular ultrasound
  • Tests to screen for chlamydia and gonorrhea (urethral smear)
  • Urinalysis
  • Urine culture (clean catch) -- may need several samples, including initial stream, midstream, and after prostate massage

 

Treatment

 

Treatment may include:

  • Antibiotics, if the infection is caused by bacteria. (In the case of gonorrhea or chlamydia, sexual partners must also be treated.)
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines
  • Pain medicines
  • Bed rest with the scrotum elevated and ice packs applied to the area

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Getting the right diagnosis and treatment for orchitis caused by bacteria can most often allow the testicle to recover normally.

You will need further testing to rule out testicular cancer if the testicle does not completely return to normal after treatment.

Mumps orchitis cannot be treated, and the outcome can vary. Men who have had mumps orchitis can become sterile.

 

Possible Complications

 

Some boys who get orchitis caused by mumps will have shrinking of the testicles (testicular atrophy).

Orchitis may also cause infertility.

Other potential complications include:

  • Chronic epididymitis
  • Death of testicle tissue (testicular infarction)
  • Fistula on the skin of the scrotum (cutaneous scrotal fistula)
  • Scrotal abscess

Acute pain in the scrotum or testicles can be caused by twisting of the testicular blood vessels (torsion). This is a medical emergency that requires immediate surgery.

A swollen testicle with little or no pain may be a sign of testicular cancer. If this is the case, you should have a testicular ultrasound.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

See your health care provider for an exam if you have testicle problems.

Get emergency medical help if you have sudden pain in the testicle.

 

Prevention

 

Things you can do to prevent the problem include:

  • Get vaccinated against mumps.
  • Practice safer sex behaviors to decrease your risk of STIs.

 

 

References

Mason WH. Mumps. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 240.

McGowan CC, Krieger J. Prostatitis, epididymitis, and orchitis. In: Bennett JE, ed . Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2015:chap 112.

Nickel JC. Prostatitis and related conditions, orchitis, and epididymitis. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 11.

 
  • Male reproductive anatomy - illustration

    The male reproductive structures include the penis, the scrotum, the seminal vesicles and the prostate.

    Male reproductive anatomy

    illustration

  • Male reproductive system - illustration

    The male reproductive system, viewed from a sagittal section.

    Male reproductive system

    illustration

    • Male reproductive anatomy - illustration

      The male reproductive structures include the penis, the scrotum, the seminal vesicles and the prostate.

      Male reproductive anatomy

      illustration

    • Male reproductive system - illustration

      The male reproductive system, viewed from a sagittal section.

      Male reproductive system

      illustration

    Self Care

     

      Tests for Orchitis

       

         

        Review Date: 1/21/2015

        Reviewed By: Scott Miller, MD, urologist in private practice in Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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