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Epididymitis is where a tube (the epididymis) at the back of the testicles becomes swollen and painful. It's often caused by an infection and is usually treated with antibiotics.
If the testicles are also affected, it may be called epididymo-orchitis.
Symptoms of epididymitis may include:
You may have other symptoms depending on the cause, such as difficulty peeing, or a white, yellow or green discharge from the tip of the penis.
Epididymitis is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. This is more likely in younger men under 35 years old.
If testing shows that your epididymitis is caused by a STI, it may be recommended that your current or recent sexual partners are also tested for STIs.
It can also be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI), but UTIs are less common in men.
A UTI is more likely if you have:
Sometimes a cause cannot be found.
Lumps in the testicles can be a sign of testicular cancer. This is easier to treat if it's found early.
You can also get treatment for epididymitis at a sexual health clinic.
They can provide the same antibiotics you'd get at your GP surgery.
Many sexual health clinics also offer a walk-in service, where you do not need an appointment.
This could be caused by your testicle becoming twisted and needs to be treated in hospital as soon as possible.
You'll usually need some tests first to find out the cause.
These may include:
If you have an infection, you'll usually be given antibiotics. Depending on the cause of the infection, you may be given antibiotic injections or tablets, or a combination of both.
It's important to finish the whole course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better.
You should start to feel better within a few days, but it may take up to 3 months to fully recover. If you still have symptoms after this, you might be referred for further tests.
There are some things you can do while you recover to help ease pain and swelling and prevent any further problems.
take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help with the pain – if you have a history of fits, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen should not be taken with some antibiotics used to treat epididymitis; speak to a pharmacist about the best painkiller to use if you're unsure
hold a cold pack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) on your groin
wear underwear that supports your scrotum
do not have sex if you have gonorrhoea or chlamydia until you have finished the full course of treatment
