Epididymitis

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Blood in semen

Male reproductive anatomy

Male reproductive system

Pathway of sperm

Epididymitis is swelling (inflammation) of the epididymis, the tube that connects the testicle with the vas deferens.

Epididymitis is most common in young men ages 19 - 35. It is a major cause of hospital admissions in the military.

Epididymitis is usually caused by the spread of a bacterial infection from the urethra or the bladder. The most common infections that cause this condition in young heterosexual men are gonorrhea and chlamydia. In children and older men,E. coli and similar infections are much more common. This is also true in homosexual men.

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Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) can occur as epididymitis. Other bacteria (such as Ureaplasma) may also cause the condition.

Another cause of epididymitis is the use of a medication called amiodarone, which prevents abnormal heart rhythms.

The following increase the risk for epididymitis:

• Being uncircumcised
• Recent surgery or a history of structural problems in the urinary tract
• Regular use of a urethral catheter
• Sexual intercourse with more than one partner and not using condoms

Review Date: 08/13/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).