Ask An Expert: Epididymitis

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Ask An Expert: Epididymitis

Question:

What is the best way to prevent epididymitis?

Answer:

Although only some cases of epididymitis can be prevented, the best way to prevent this condition is by practicing safe sex, since sexually transmitted infections are a leading cause.

Epididymitis is an infection or inflammation of the epididymis, the coiled sperm tube that attaches to the bottom of the testicle. Typical symptoms include a dull achy pain on one side of the scrotum, and tenderness and swelling of the testicle and sperm tube. In severe cases, a man can develop a fever and become quite ill.

In young men, most cases of epididymitis are caused by sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia and gonorrhea— the same bacteria that cause urethritis, another common sexually transmitted disease. In older men, the condition is most commonly caused by bacteria that are naturally found on the body. However, some older men will develop epididymitis as a sexually transmitted infection and some younger men will develop an infection without an STD.

In addition, probably not all cases of epididymitis are caused by infections. For example, trauma to the epididymis or blockage of the sperm tube can cause the epididymis to become swollen and painful. That's why the condition is usually treated with anti-inflammatory pain relievers in addition to antibiotics.

Men who practice safe sex — using condoms for every sexual encounter — can dramatically lower the chance of getting epididymitis caused by a sexually transmitted infection. However, there's really no way to prevent epididymitis caused by the body's own bacteria or inflammation that isn't caused by infection at all.

James S. Winshall, M.D., is an associate physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital. In addition to his role as senior editor at Harvard Health Publications, Dr. Winshall practices general internal medicine and is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School.

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Last updated:	January 24, 2007

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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