Symptoms of testicular epididymitis

Testicular epididymitis mainly manifests as scrotal pain, swelling, fever and other symptoms, which may be caused by bacterial infection, urine reflux, sexually transmitted diseases and other factors. Common symptoms include scrotal redness, swelling, heat and pain, discomfort during urination, radiating pain in the groin area, fever and chills, thickening and tenderness of the spermatic cord, etc. If the above symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly for a clear diagnosis.

1. Redness, swelling, heat and pain in the scrotum

In the acute stage, patients will have unilateral scrotal skin redness, increased temperature, and obvious tenderness when touched. The pain may be persistent, dull or throbbing, and worsen when standing or moving. In some patients, the scrotal skin may be tight and shiny, and in severe cases, it may be accompanied by hydrocele. This situation is mostly related to infections with Escherichia coli, gonococci and other pathogens, and urine culture is required to identify the pathogenic bacteria.

2. Discomfort in urination

About half of the patients are accompanied by urethral irritation symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and burning sensation during urination. When inflammation involves the vas deferens, hematospermia or blood-stained semen may occur. Long-term chronic inflammation may lead to vas deferens stenosis and affect fertility. Such symptoms are common in non-specific infections caused by chlamydia and mycoplasma.

3. Radiating pain in groin

The pain can radiate to the ipsilateral groin area and lower abdomen, and is aggravated when coughing or defecating. Chronic patients may experience intermittent dull pain, which becomes more obvious after sitting for a long time or after fatigue. Physical examination revealed a palpable induration of the tail of the epididymis, with a clear boundary with the testicles. This situation needs to be differentiated from diseases such as inguinal hernia and varicocele.

4. Fever and chills

Acute bacterial infection is often accompanied by an increase in body temperature, which can reach 38-39 degrees Celsius, and is accompanied by poisoning symptoms such as general weakness and loss of appetite. Routine blood tests showed significant increases in white blood cells and neutrophils. Severe cases may develop sepsis and require intravenous antibiotic treatment.

5. Spermic cord thickening and tenderness

When inflammation spreads to the spermatic cord, the spermatic cord becomes thickened in a cord-like manner and the cremaster muscle reflex becomes hyperactive. In the chronic stage, fibrotic nodules may form, causing obstruction of spermatic venous return. In this case, a scrotal ultrasound examination is required to rule out emergencies such as testicular torsion.

Daily attention should be paid to keeping the perineum clean and dry, and avoiding prolonged sitting and strenuous exercise. In the acute stage, you need to rest in bed and use a scrotal support to elevate the affected area. Cold compresses can be used to relieve pain. Eat a light diet and drink plenty of water to promote urination. Sexual intercourse is prohibited until the inflammation completely subsides, and sexual partners need to be examined and treated simultaneously. Use antibiotics as directed by your doctor and do not stop taking them on your own. If high fever persists or scrotal abscess occurs, follow-up consultation is required immediately.