Patient's question:
Doctor, epididymitis has been tormenting me, causing me great pain, and I don't even know what to do anymore. It's always painful, and the pain in the epididymis is unbearable. What can I do about this?Doctor's answer:
Because epididymitis is divided into acute and chronic forms, the treatment also has different focuses. For acute epididymitis, it is recommended that patients rest in bed, elevate the scrotum, and reduce pain. In the early stages, an ice pack can be placed on the epididymis to prevent swelling. In later stages, heat application can be used to promote local blood circulation and accelerate the resolution of inflammation. Since it is an infection, anti-infection treatment should be administered, and broad-spectrum antibiotics, as well as those effective against Gram-negative bacteria, are commonly used in clinical practice. For systemic symptoms such as pain and fever, symptomatic treatment with antipyretic and analgesic drugs should be applied. If the pain in the epididymis is severe, a urologist may administer 1% lidocaine 10–20 mL via inguinal canal blockage from the upper testicular region, which can help relieve pain and reduce swelling. If the inflammatory mass of the epididymis enlarges, the scrotal skin becomes red and swollen with fluctuation, and an abscess forms, drainage surgery must be performed. If the catheter is the cause of this condition, it should be removed. Additionally, during the acute phase, sexual arousal and heavy physical activity should be avoided to prevent worsening the infection and symptoms. For a small number of stubborn patients with poor disease control, orchiectomy, including epididymectomy, may be considered.