Does epididymitis require surgery?

Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
Updated on September 13, 2024
00:00
00:00

Patients with epididymitis generally do not require surgical treatment. In most cases, they are treated with oral medications or intravenous antibiotics, and typically recover within 1 to 2 weeks of treatment. However, if the symptoms of epididymitis are severe and not treated in time, leading to further aggravation of the condition or even formation of an epididymal abscess, surgical intervention may be necessary. Typically, this involves incision and drainage of the abscess to remove pus from the body. It is also important to regularly change dressings and keep the wound area clean and dry until it gradually heals. (Please administer medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
46sec home-news-image

Is epididymitis serious?

Whether epididymitis is severe depends on the patient's condition. If it is an early case of epididymitis, the epididymis may just be enlarged and painful, which is not very serious. Generally, using antibiotics and regular treatment, it can heal in about 1 to 2 weeks. However, if treatment is not administered in time, leading to abscesses in the epididymis and testicle, or even rupture of the abscesses, the situation is relatively severe. It requires immediate surgical intervention to drain the abscess. The prognosis thereafter is relatively poor, and it can easily lead to the possibility of testicular atrophy. Therefore, epididymitis should be treated promptly.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
50sec home-news-image

Is bed rest necessary for epididymitis?

After the occurrence of epididymitis, the epididymis will enlarge to various extents, accompanied by pain, and the weight of the epididymis will significantly increase. In such cases, if the patient stands or sits for extended periods, the pain becomes more noticeable and is not conducive to treating the condition. Frequent prolonged sitting or standing, or even intense physical activity, could potentially lead to the risk of testicular torsion. Therefore, after being diagnosed with epididymitis, doctors usually advise patients to lie flat as much as possible. It is best to elevate the scrotum while lying flat, as this helps with local blood circulation and positively affects the treatment of the condition. If there is a need for special circumstances requiring some activity, it is best to use a scrotal support to lift the scrotum.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
55sec home-news-image

Symptoms of epididymitis

The main symptoms of epididymitis include enlargement of the epididymis, accompanied by noticeable pain. The skin of the scrotum will appear red and swollen, and touching the scrotum will reveal an increase in local skin temperature. If not treated in time, an epididymal abscess may develop, causing a palpable fluctuation when touching the epididymis. If not addressed promptly, the abscess may rupture, leading to the leakage of pus from the scrotum. If epididymitis is diagnosed, it is important to seek timely treatment at a hospital's urology department. Diagnosis is typically confirmed via ultrasound and a local physical examination, and prompt treatment with antibiotics is necessary. If an abscess has already formed, surgical incision and drainage may be required. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor, and self-medication should be avoided.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
53sec home-news-image

Why is epididymitis getting more painful?

After suffering from epididymitis, the epididymis will show symptoms of enlargement and pain. If not treated promptly, the epididymis will further enlarge, and the pain will gradually become more pronounced, which is a normal phenomenon. However, if the pain continues to worsen despite active treatment, it should be considered that this may be due to a lack of attention to lifestyle care, such as engaging in vigorous exercise during treatment, or situations involving prolonged standing or sitting. Additionally, it is important to be vigilant about the possibility of testicular torsion accompanying epididymitis. Therefore, if the pain continues to worsen during the treatment of epididymitis, it is advisable to promptly re-examine the color Doppler ultrasound to understand the blood flow situation of the testicles and epididymis, and then proceed with targeted treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
1min 4sec home-news-image

Epididymitis and orchitis, what is the difference?

The epididymis and testicles are both part of the male reproductive organs. The epididymis is an accessory gland of the testicle and is located adjacent to it. If epididymitis or orchitis occurs, it is difficult to distinguish between them based on symptoms alone, as both conditions can cause noticeable enlargement and pain of the scrotum, but further examination is required for a definitive diagnosis. During a physical examination, it can be observed that patients with epididymitis have a noticeably enlarged epididymis, while the enlargement of the testicle is not as prominent. Conversely, with orchitis, the testicle is significantly enlarged, while the enlargement of the epididymis is less noticeable. Since these two organs are adjacent, epididymitis often occurs with orchitis, and vice versa. Clarification typically requires examinations such as ultrasonography. However, there are no significant differences in the treatment of these two conditions, so they are often collectively referred to as epididymo-orchitis.