What is a scrotum infection
Matthew Perez
Updated on April 29, 2026
Orchitis (or-KIE-tis) is an inflammation of one or both testicles. Bacterial or viral infections can cause orchitis, or the cause can be unknown. Orchitis is most often the result of a bacterial infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
How do you treat an infected scrotum?
Epididymitis caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics, most often doxycycline (Oracea®, Monodox®), ciprofloxacin (Cipro®), levofloxacin (Levaquin®), or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim®). Antibiotics are usually taken for 1 to 2 weeks. Men who have epididymitis can also relieve their symptoms by: Resting.
What happens if your balls get infected?
Infection: The testicle and epididymis, the part of the testicle that stores sperm, can sometimes become infected, causing pain and swelling that starts quickly and gets worse. Fluid Buildup: An injury or infection can cause fluid to build up around the testicle, causing painful swelling.
How does a man get an infection in his scrotum?
Males of any age can get epididymitis. Epididymitis is most often caused by a bacterial infection, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Sometimes, a testicle also becomes inflamed — a condition called epididymo-orchitis.Can you get epididymitis without having an STD?
Other infection: Epididymitis can still spread among men who are not sexually active through a nonsexually transmitted bacterial infection. This can happen if a urinary tract infection or prostate infection is present, causing bacteria to spread to the epididymis. Trauma: Certain groin injuries can cause epididymitis.
How long till my balls are full?
The full process takes about 64 days. During spermatogenesis, your testicles make several million sperm per day — about 1,500 per second.
How do you treat a testicular infection naturally?
- Rest in bed.
- Lie down so that your scrotum is elevated.
- Apply cold packs to your scrotum as tolerated.
- Wear an athletic supporter.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects.
- Avoid sexual intercourse until your infection has cleared.
Will swollen testicle go away?
A mild swollen testicle after an injury is common and often goes away after a few days. However, large, or sudden swelling should be immediately treated, as it may point to a more serious underlying condition.Will swollen testicle go away on its own?
Idiopathic swelling refers to swelling that a doctor has been unable to identify a reason for. This is more common among children, but it can affect males of any age. This type of swelling may appear suddenly. It is painless and usually goes away on its own within around 3–6 days .
Can STD cause lump on testicle?Epididymitis is associated with chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease. A lump or swelling can be one of the first symptoms of testicular cancer. Most tumors do not cause any pain. The lump will usually form on the front or side of a testicle.
Article first time published onWhat STD makes your testicle pain?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Untreated chlamydia in men, as well as gonorrhea, can contribute to symptoms like testicular pain. But, alhough chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common STIs associated with testicular pain, other STIs can trigger chronic scrotal pain as well.
Is epididymitis serious?
If left untreated, epididymitis may cause an abscess, also known as a puss pocket, on the scrotum or even destroy the epididymis, which can lead to infertility. As with any infection left untreated, epididymitis may spread into another body system and, in rare cases, even cause death.
Can a woman give a man epididymitis?
Can I pass the infection to my sex partner? Yes, if the infection is from an STD. (This is most often the cause in men under 40 who have sex.) In this case, the infection can be passed back and forth through sex.
How long can epididymitis last?
Epididymitis Symptoms When a bacterial infection strikes, the epididymis gradually becomes swollen and painful. This usually happens on one testicle, rather than both. It can last up to 6 weeks if untreated.
Does ejaculating hurt epididymitis?
Most urologists will agree that chronic epididymitis can be unilateral or bilateral; can range from mild, intermittent discomfort to severe, constant pain; can be exacerbated by certain activities, including ejaculation; can be associated with a normal-feeling or enlarged indurated epididymis; and appears to wax and …
What kind of doctor treats testicular problems?
If you notice any abnormalities on your testicles, consult a urologist right away to get it diagnosed. The doctor will be able to suggest appropriate testicular cancer treatment options that will suit your needs. Get your risk factors for testicular pain evaluated from your city’s top urologists on MFine!
Is epididymitis an emergency?
Epididymitis is, in general, non-life threatening and non-urgent. However, afflicted patients experience significant distress from the symptoms and tend to seek treatment early. Urgent care medicine is emerging as a distinct specialty, separate from both emergency medicine and primary care.
How much sperm does a man produce when ejaculating?
On average, each time men ejaculate they release nearly 100 million sperm. Why are so many sperm released if it takes only one to make a baby?
How does a testicular tumor feel?
A painless lump or swelling on either testicle. If found early, a testicular tumor may be about the size of a pea or a marble, but it can grow much larger. Pain, discomfort, or numbness in a testicle or the scrotum, with or without swelling. Change in the way a testicle feels or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
What does a chlamydia look like?
Chlamydia infections do occasionally present with symptoms—like mucus- and pus-containing cervical discharges, which can come out as an abnormal vaginal discharge in some women. So, what does a chlamydia discharge look like? A chlamydia discharge is often yellow in color and has a strong odor.
What is STD bump?
If you are having sex or have had sex in the past, bumps on the penis may be signs of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs, also called sexually transmitted infections or STIs). Painful blisters, bumps, or ulcers may be herpes. Genital warts (HPV) also can show up as bumps on the penis.
What's gonorrhea look like?
The first noticeable symptom in men is often a burning or painful sensation during urination. As it progresses, other symptoms may include: greater frequency or urgency of urination. a pus-like discharge (or drip) from the penis (white, yellow, beige, or greenish)
How can u tell if you have chlamydia?
- pain or burning while peeing.
- pain during sex.
- lower belly pain.
- abnormal vaginal discharge (may be yellowish and have a strong smell)
- bleeding between periods.
- pus or a watery/milky discharge from the penis.
- swollen or tender testicles.
What are symptoms of gonorrhea in males?
- an unusual discharge from the tip of the penis, which may be white, yellow or green.
- pain or a burning sensation when urinating.
- inflammation (swelling) of the foreskin.
- pain or tenderness in the testicles – this is rare.
How do you fix epididymitis?
- antibiotics.
- antibiotics for any sexual partners (if an STI was the cause)
- bed rest.
- pain-relieving medication.
- cold compresses applied regularly to the scrotum.
- elevation of the scrotum.
- a stay in hospital (in cases of severe infection)
What should epididymis feel like?
Check out your epididymis — a soft, tightly coiled tube in which sperm mature — along the top and back of each of your testicles. It may feel a little bumpier than your testicle. Also feel the spaghetti-like tube called the vas deferens that goes up from the epididymis. It should feel like a smooth cord.