Epididymitis

Epididymitis is inflammation (swelling) of the epididymis. The epididymis is a tightly coiled tube at the back of each testicle that stores sperm while they mature.

Epididymitis often happens at the same time as orchitis, known as epididymo-orchitis. This is an inflammation of the testicles themselves.

If you have epididymitis, you may feel sick and have a fever. Symptoms are usually felt in one testicle and it may be:

• painful or tender
• unusually warm
• swollen or firm

If your epididymitis is caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you may also have:

• discharge from the penis
• a stinging or burning feeling when you urinate (wee)

If your epididymitis is caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI), you may also have:

• abdominal pain
• the need to wee often
• a burning feeling when you wee

Epididymitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

If you are sexually active, it may be caused by an STI such as gonorrhoea or chlamydia. It may also be caused by a UTI due to bacteria such as E. coli (Opens in new tab).

Epididymitis can also be caused by:

• injury
• recent surgery
• recent urinary catheterisation
• autoimmune disease

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical examination. They may also ask you questions about your symptoms and if you have had a UTI or STI diagnosed in the past.

You may get a referral to have a:

• blood test
• urine test
• ultrasound

These tests can also rule out other health conditions.

If your epididymitis was caused by a STI, it's important not to have sex for at least 7 days after starting treatment or until your symptoms resolve, whichever is later.

If your symptoms are not resolving after 3 days of treatment, let your GP know.

You should contact any sexual partners you have had in the past 6 months so they can get tested. You can use Let Them Know (Opens in new tab) — a free service that can help you notify sexual partners.

Medicines

Bacterial epididymitis can be treated with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic depends on which bacteria is causing the infection.

Viral epididymitis does not need antibiotics.

Read more on the difference between bacterial and viral infections.

Pain-relief medicines such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) can help your symptoms while you heal. These are available over the counter. Ask your pharmacist for advice, especially if you take medicines for other health conditions.

Self-care

Other measures that may help include:

• rest
• drinking plenty of water
• ice packs
• supportive underwear that elevates your testicles

If untreated, epididymitis can lead to complications such as:

• chronic (long term) infection
• swelling of the testicles
• chronic pain
• infertility

Treating epididymitis quickly will reduce your risk of complications.

You can help prevent epididymitis by practising safe sex using barrier protection, such as condoms.

If you often get urinary tract infections, ask your doctor for tips on how to prevent them.

Healthy Male (Opens in new tab) has information and a helpful video on epididymitis and other scrotal lumps.

Healthy WA (Opens in new tab) has information about conditions that affect the testicles, including epididymitis.

Play Safe is an online resource providing information about sexually-transmitted infections and safe sex (Opens in new tab).

Languages other than English

Sexual Health Victoria has a range of factsheets on sexual health (Opens in new tab) available in many community languages.

All Good is a website with information on sexually transmitted infections (Opens in new tab) in community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Better to Know is a sexual health resource for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples with information about common sexually transmitted infections (Opens in new tab).

Young Deadly Free is a resource on sexual health (Opens in new tab) for young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) or Affiliate (Opens in new tab) near you.

Information for sexually and gender-diverse people

TransHub has information available on sexually transmitted infections (Opens in new tab).

The Australian Government has a video available on STI testing (Opens in new tab) for gender diverse people.