Epididymitis is the inflammation of the epididymis, which is the small, coiled tube located at the back of the testicle. It’s usually caused by bacterial infections, STIs in particular. An estimated 600,000 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with epididymitis annually.
Ignoring the following symptoms could lead to unpleasant consequences, so we’ve outlined some of the most important signs to look out for…
1. Swollen Scrotum
Having scrotal inflammation is considered a primary symptom of epididymitis. A scrotum affected by epididymitis may start to become warm, red, and swollen, and it may last for up to weeks at a time, so if you notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to see a doctor.
Epididymitis can also cause pain, as our next symptom shows…
2. Testicular Pain
Testicular pain and tenderness that come with epididymitis usually come on gradually and often affect only one testicle. When left untreated, it can lead to torsion, which could end up with the loss of a testicle. This is yet another reason why it’s critical to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms.
The following everyday body function might also be a sign of epididymitis
3. Painful Urination
Going to the bathroom might become less comfortable than it should be for men with this condition. Epididymitis can affect urination to the point that it can become painful due to a burning sensation. Some men even report blood in their urine, which is usually a sign the condition has become severe.
The following symptom will on exacerbate this symptom…
4. Frequent Urination
If painful urination wasn’t bad enough, the urge to pee more than normal might also occur with epididymitis. This can be due to the fact that epididymitis can sometimes be caused by bladder infections.
Most of the symptoms on our list include pain…
5. Painful Intercourse
Sexual intercourse and ejaculation are usually painful with epididymitis because these activities tend to trigger and exacerbate the symptoms.
The following symptom has something to do with bodily discharges…
6. Penile Discharge
Like other sexually transmitted infections, epididymitis can cause abnormal penile discharges. The color of these discharges, whether they’re yellow or green, can actually tell something about your health. They also signal a need for medical attention, much like all the other symptoms on this list.
That said, some emissions also become “tainted”…
7. Hematospermia
The inflammation of the epididymis, the tube that contains sperm, can cause some unsightly results. In this case, the swollen epididymis can cause the ejaculated semen to come out quite bloody at times.
This is a serious medical condition, so if you notice bloody discharge, seek medical attention immediately.
The following is another common symptom of epididymis…
8. Pelvic Pain
Men with epididymitis usually experience pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvic area, which is not surprising considering all other symptoms on our list involve some sort of pain, too. This abdominal strain makes activities like walking, running, jumping, and swimming excruciatingly painful.
The following might be a symptom for other medical conditions or sicknesses, but don’t let that fool you…
9. Enlarged Lymph Nodes
In epididymitis, some patients might notice their lymph nodes in the groin becoming red, tender, or swollen over time. But, this is usually not a symptom to be too alarmed about, as it’s the body’s natural response to combat infections.
The same goes for our last symptom…
10. Fever
Like swollen lymph nodes, fevers occur because the body is trying to kill viruses and infections. In this case, as epididymitis is a bacterial infection, it’s fairly common for patients to experience a moderate fever that lasts at least a couple of days.
