Epididymitis A Common Infection Of The Male Reproductive Tract

Epididymitis is one of the most common infection of the male reproductive tract. Epididymis is a cordlike excretory duct of the testis. The organisms that usually cause Epididymitis came from the already established urinary tract infection or prostitis that may reach the epididymis through the channel within a tubular structure of the vasdeferens. It usually affects adults and is rare before puberty. Epididymitis may spread to the testis itself.

Causes: Pyogenic organisms such as staphylococci, E.coli, and streptococci are the usual cause, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydial infection, Trauma (may reactivate a dormant infection or initiate a new one, Prostatectomy, Chemical irritation (results from extravasation of urine through the vasdeferens)

Signs and Symptoms:

• Extreme tenderness and Pain
• High Fever
• Swelling in the groin and scrotum

A person experiencing the above symptoms should consult their doctors immediately, if the urinalysis result shows an increased white blood cell (WBC) counts, it indicates a presence of infection and if the Serum WBC count result is greater than 10,000/cu mm it also indicates infections.

Treatment: The goal of the treatment is to reduce pain and swelling and stop the infection.

• Therapy must begin immediately, particularly in the patient with bilateral epididymitis, because sterility is always a threat. During the acute phase, treatment consists of bed rest, scrotal elevation with towel rolls or adhesive strapping,
• Taking of natural antibiotic like bee propolis which can help strengthen the immune system and garlic-thyme another powerful natural antibiotic.
• Ice bag can be applied to the area to help reduce swelling and relieve pain (heat is contraindicated, because it may damage germinal cells)
• When the pain and swelling subside the patient should wear an athletic supported to prevent pain.
• In the older patient undergoing open prostatectomy, bilateral vasectomy may be necessary to prevent epididymitis as a postoperative complication; however, antibiotic therapy alone may prevent it.
• When epididymitis is difficult to control by just using antibiotic an epididymectomy under local anesthetic is necessary. Epididymectomy is an effective treatment for scrotal pain after vasectomy.

Complication of Epididymitis:

• Orchitis
• Sterility (serious threat in bilateral epididymitis)
• Acute hydrocele (a possible reaction to the inflammatory process)

Orchitis - is an infection of the testes, is a serious complication of epididymitis. This infection may also result from mumps, which may lead to sterility or less frequently, from another systemic infection, testicular torsion, or severe trauma.