Orchitis

Causes and Risks:
Orchitis may be caused by numerous bacterial and viral organisms. The most common viral cause is mumps . 15 to 25% of men who have mumps after puberty will develop orchitis during the course of the illness. Brucellosis is a rare disease in which orchitis develops in 2 to 20% of men with the disease.

Orchitis may also occur in conjunction with infections of the prostate or epididymis and, like those conditions, may occur as a manifestation of sexually-transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea or chlamydia . The incidence of sexually- transmitted orchitis or epididymitis is higher in men 15 to 25 years old.

Risk factors for non-sexually transmitted orchitis include:
  • inadequate immunization against mumps
  • older age (age greater than 45)

Risk factors for sexually transmitted orchitis include:

  • multiple sexual partners
  • other high risk sexual behaviors.
  • history of a sexual partner with a previously diagnosed STD
  • personal history of gonorrhea or other STD



Prevention:
Immunization against mumps will prevent mumps-associated orchitis. Safer sex behaviors , such as monogamy and condom use, will decrease the chance of developing orchitis as a result of a sexually-transmitted disease.

Symptoms:



Signs and Tests:
Physical examination may reveal tender and enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area (inguinal) on the affected side. It may also show a tender and enlarged testicle on the affected side. A rectal examination may reveal an enlarged and/or tender prostate gland.

Testing may include:



Treatment:
Antibiotics are prescribed if the causative agent is bacterial. In the case of gonorrhea or chlamydia , sexual partners must also be treated.

When orchitis is caused by viral agents, only analgesics ( pain relievers ) are prescribed. Bedrest, with elevation of the scrotum and ice packs applied to the area, is recommended.

Prognosis:
With appropriate diagnosis and adequate treatment of bacterially caused orchitis, normal function of the testicle is usually preserved.

Mumps orchitis cannot be treated and outcome is unpredictable. Sterility has followed mumps orchitis.

Complications:
Orchitis may cause infertility and atrophy (diminished size) of one or both testicles .

Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms suggestive of orchitis develop.


This is an internal view of the male reproductive system.