Patient's question:
My husband has been feeling a dull ache and a heavy sensation in his lower left abdomen these days. There's also a pulling pain in the groin area, which intensifies when standing or walking. His left testicle is swollen, and when touched, the appendage of the testicle is also swollen, along with local redness and swelling. The doctor said it's epididymitis.Doctor's answer:
1. Treatment of Acute Epididymitis: Acute epididymitis should be treated with appropriate rest, antibiotics, and general analgesics. Local heat application, physical therapy, and the use of scrotal supports can be applied. If an abscess forms, drainage through incision is necessary. Additionally, the underlying cause should be actively addressed.2. Treatment of Chronic Epididymitis: Chronic epididymitis often coexists with chronic prostatitis, so the general treatment measures are similar to those for chronic prostatitis. Treating prostatitis can alleviate symptoms of chronic epididymitis. After the epididymitis heals, residual epididymal nodules may cause psychological burden to the patient. Surgical orchiectomy does not always relieve symptoms, so it is generally not performed. For male infertility caused by bilateral epididymitis leading to obstructed sperm output, anastomosis of the vas deferens at the proximal obstruction of the epididymis can partially address the issue of sperm drainage, but the postoperative pregnancy rate remains low.
Wishing you good health!