Infection of the testicles (epididymo-orchitis)
Pokenga o ngā raho
Epididymo-orchitis is an inflammation of your testicle and the tubes attached to the testicle, which are called the epididymis.
Epididymo-orchitis causes pain and swelling in your testicle, and it may be painful to wee (urinate).
It's usually caused by an infection. Often, it's caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but it can also be caused by a urine infection. In boys, it can be caused by mumps.
The usual test for epididymo-orchitis is a urine test. You may also need a swab from the penis.
Epididymo-orchitis is usually treated with antibiotics. If you have an STI, your sexual partner will also need to be treated.
If you have pain or swelling in one of your testicles, you must see a doctor. If the pain is sudden and severe, it may mean a twisted testicle, which needs to be looked at immediately.
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Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed April 2023.
Sources
The information in this section comes from the following sources, some of which may be clinically complex or not available to the general public
Cancer Council Victoria – Understanding testicular cancer. Retrieved April 2016.
Canterbury Community HealthPathways – Scrotal lumps in adults. Retrieved January 2019.
NHS – Testicular cancer diagnosis (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/testicular-cancer/diagnosis/). Retrieved January 2019.
NHS – Undescended testicles. Retrieved February 2019.
NHS – What Should My Testicles Look and Feel Like? (https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/mens-health/what-should-my-testicles-look-and-feel-like/). Retrieved January 2019.
Orchid – Testicular cancer (https://orchid-cancer.org.uk/testicular-cancer-3-2/). Retrieved January 2019.
Patient.info – Epididymal cyst. Retrieved April 2016.
Patient.info– Hydrocele in adults. Retrieved April 2016.
Patient.info – Torsion of the testis. Retrieved April 2016.
Patient.info – Varicocele. Retrieved April 2016.
Image and embedded video sources
Epididymal cyst illustration from Shutterstock (image ID 1860701749). April 2023.
How to examine your testicles video from Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ on Vimeo.
Hydrocele illustration from Shutterstock (image ID 1861028659). April 2023.
Image of thoughtful young man from Shutterstock (image ID 90697366). December 2015.
Inflammation of the epididymis illustration from Shutterstock (image ID 1860694498). April 2023.
Male sex organs illustration from Shutterstock (image ID 265101782). December 2015.
Twisting of the testicle illustration from Shutterstock (image ID 1869893170). April 2023.
Varicocele illustration from Shutterstock (image ID 1862537458). April 2023.
Page reference: 54576
Review key: HITSP-26704
