Patient's question:
Because my husband's lifestyle is irregular, he often sleeps late at night, and he likes to drink and smoke. Now that we are planning to have a baby, we haven't been able to conceive yet. I have undergone a series of infertility tests, and basically, no questions were asked, but he was found to have epididymitis.Doctor's answer:
Hello! Epididymitis can affect epididymal function, alter the internal environment of the epididymis, thereby impairing sperm maturation and reducing its fertilization capacity. Inflammation can also lead to blockage of the epididymal ducts, affecting sperm output, all of which can cause clinical infertility. Epididymitis can cause male infertility, with pathogens typically entering the epididymis through the vas deferens in a retrograde manner. Additionally, bacterial invasion of the epididymis can occur via lymphatic vessels or hematogenous infection, though this is rare. Epididymitis can affect one or both sides, with unilateral cases being more common. Acute epididymitis often begins in the tail of the epididymis, where the epididymal duct epithelium becomes edematous, desquamates, and produces purulent secretions in the lumen. It then spreads through the interstitium to the body and head of the epididymis, potentially forming microabscesses. In advanced stages, scar tissue may form, leading to obstruction of the epididymal ducts, which is why bilateral epididymitis often results in infertility.