Signs of testicular inflammation that you need to watch out for

The testicles are the sperm-producing organs located on either side of the male scrotum. Orchitis when it occurs will make men uncomfortable, painful, affecting fertility. So, what are the signs of orchitis? Invite you and SignsSymptomsList to learn through the following article of MSc Tran Quoc Phong. 

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• What is orchitis?
• What are the signs of orchitis?
• Causes of testicular inflammation
• Complications that can occur with orchitis

What is orchitis?

The testicles are twin organs, consisting of the left and right testicles located on either side of the male scrotum. In addition to the function of producing sperm, the testicles are also endocrine glands that produce the hormone testosterone for the body.

Orchitis is inflammation of one or both testicles. However, symptoms are usually only present on one side.

Causes of orchitis generally include bacterial, viral, and sometimes unexplained infections. Inflammation can be associated with epididymitis – the two tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles.

What are the common signs of orchitis?

What are the signs of orchitis?

Testicular manifestation

Testicular and groin pain are the most common signs of orchitis. In addition, the patient may have symptoms such as:

• Pain in the scrotum.
• Swelling on one or both sides of the scrotum.
• Some signs of orchitis in the reproductive organs:
• Presence of blood and pus in semen
• Pain during ejaculation.
• Ejaculation disorder.
• Prostate enlargement.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the groin.

Manifestations in the urinary tract

Common signs of testicular inflammation in the urinary tract are a feeling of urgency and pain when urinating . In some cases, orchitis is caused by a urinary tract infection, the patient will have additional symptoms of irritation to urinate several times a day, urine with blood and pus.

Full body expression

Patients may have signs of complete body inflammation such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, malaise...

Causes of testicular inflammation

Virus

Mumps virus is the most common cause of orchitis. This situation mainly occurs in children and adolescents. According to an estimate in one US clinic, up to 33% of men who contracted mumps in their teens also had orchitis. Mumps-associated viral orchitis appears 4 to 10 days after the salivary glands swell. Swollen salivary glands are the first sign of mumps.

Mumps virus infection is the most common cause of orchitis symptoms

Bacteria

Bacterial infections can also cause orchitis in men. Urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) caused by bacteria such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and epididymitis increase the risk of orchitis. The epididymis is the tube connecting the testicles to the vas deferens, responsible for carrying sperm out of the place of production. Or men can also get a bacterial infection at a urinary catheter, a medical device that is inserted into their penis.

Other causes

Other causes of orchitis can be:

• Congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract.
• Allergic inflammation: allergic contact such as condoms, underwear fabric.
• Have chronic gynecological diseases. The most common is urinary tract infection, long-term prostatitis.
• Inflammation from damaged testicles. It is possible that the strong impact during sex, or the injury caused the testicles to be crushed, damage leading to inflammation.

Complications that can occur with orchitis

Orchitis can lead to dangerous complications if not treated promptly. Although the most dangerous complication is infertility, most cases of testicular inflammation are completely cured and do not affect fertility.

Common complications are:

Infertility in men

This is the most dangerous complication of testicular inflammation. If not detected and treated early, long-term inflammation causes testicles to shrink. The spermatogenic cells are damaged and completely lose their ability to produce sperm.

Testicular atrophy

Testicular atrophy is a condition in which one or both testicles are reduced in size compared to their original size. Size loss leads to loss of function. The testicles gradually lose their ability to produce sperm and produce testosterone. Since then, the quantity and quality of sperm also decrease.

Testicular atrophy

Scrotal abscess

Severe inflammation of the testicles causes accumulation of pus in the scrotum. Over time, large pus pockets over time will cause pressure on nearby organs, more dangerous can cause testicular rupture, threatening the patient's life.

Epididymitis

The epididymis is a coiled tubular structure next to each testicle, connecting the testicle and the vas deferens. When the epididymis is inflamed, the patient often has a fever and pain. The cause of this complication is a urinary tract infection. The bacteria travel from the urethra or bladder to the epididymis and testicles.

Common signs of orchitis in the reproductive organs such as: scrotal pain, ejaculate with blood and pus, ejaculation disorders, etc. In addition, some other urinary and systemic signs are also very common. Although it is not specific for orchitis, it also makes patients uncomfortable: fever, fatigue, painful urination... It is necessary to detect and treat the disease promptly to prevent dangerous complications.