The key difference between orchitis and epididymitis is that orchitis is swelling or pain in one or both testicles, while epididymitis is swelling or pain in the epididymis, which is a highly convoluted duct behind the testicles.
Both orchitis and epididymitis result in swelling or pain in parts of the male reproductive system. However, orchitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection, whereas a bacterial infection usually causes epididymitis. These conditions should be managed by using different treatment regimes.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Orchitis
3. What is Epididymitis
4. Similarities – Orchitis and Epididymitis
5. Orchitis vs. Epididymitis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Orchitis vs. Epididymitis
What is Orchitis?
Orchitis is the inflammation of one or both of the testicles. The signs and symptoms of orchitis are swelling in one or both testicles, mild or severe pain, fever, nausea and vomiting, and a general feeling of unwellness (malaise). Orchitis can be caused by a bacterial (sexually transmitted infection (STI) causing bacteria) or viral infection (mumps virus). Sometimes, the cause is not known. The risk factors for orchitis include not being immunized against mumps, having multiple times urinary tract infections, having surgery that involves the genitals or urinary tract, being born with an abnormal urinary tract, having multiple sexual partners, having sex with a partner who has a sexually transmitted disease, sex without a condom, and personal history of an STI. The complications resulting from orchitis include testicular atrophy, scrotal abscess, and infertility.
Figure 01: Orchitis
Orchitis can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, STI screen, blood test, urine test, and ultrasound. Furthermore, treatment options for orchitis may include taking a prescribed course of antibiotics, resting, supporting the scrotum with an athletic strap, applying ice packs, taking pain medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen or naproxen sodium (Aleve) and antiviral medications.
What is Epididymitis?
Epididymitis is due to swollen and painful tube called the epididymis at the back of the testicles. Epididymitis is caused by a bacterial infection, generally through sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Other infections, such as bacteria from a urinary tract or prostate infection, urine in the epididymis, trauma, and tuberculosis, can also cause it. Moreover, the symptoms of epididymitis may include a swollen, discolored scrotum or warmness in the scrotum, tenderness in testicles, pain while urinating, frequent need to urinate, discharge from the penis, pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen, blood in the semen, and fever (less commonly).
Figure 02: Epididymitis
The risk factors for this condition include sex with a partner who has an STI, sex with no condoms, anal sex, medical history for STI, having a prostate or urinary tract infection, taking a medical procedure that affects the urinary tract (urinary catheter or scope into the penis), an uncircumcised penis, abnormal anatomy of the urinary tract, prostate enlargement, and other health conditions such as HIV. The complications resulting from epididymitis include an abscess in the scrotum, a hydrocele formation, an infection that spreads from the epididymis to a testicle, and reduced fertility.
Epididymitis can be diagnosed through an examination of the groin and rectal examination, STI screening, urine and blood tests, and ultrasound. Furthermore, antibiotics and comfort measures (resting, supporting the scrotum with an athletic supporter, applying ice packs, and taking pain medicine), and surgery.
What are the Similarities Between Orchitis and Epididymitis?
- Both orchitis and epididymitis result in swelling or pain in parts of the male reproductive system.
- Infections spread from the epididymis to the testicle, causing epididymal-orchitis.
- Bacterial infections can cause both conditions.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood tests, and imaging tests.
- Urologists treat both conditions.
- They can be treated through antibiotics, resting, supporting the scrotum with an athletic supporter, applying ice packs, and taking pain medicine.
What is the Difference Between Orchitis and Epididymitis?
Orchitis is swelling or pain in one or both testicles, while epididymitis is swelling or pain in the epididymis, a highly convoluted duct behind the testicles. Thus, this is the key difference between orchitis and epididymitis. Furthermore, orchitis is caused by a bacterial (sexually transmitted infection (STI) causing bacteria) or viral infection (mumps virus). On the other hand, epididymitis is caused by a bacterial infection, usually through sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, other infections such as bacteria from a urinary tract or prostate infection, urine in the epididymis, trauma, and tuberculosis.
The infographic below presents the differences between orchitis and epididymitis in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Orchitis vs Epididymitis
Orchitis and epididymitis are commonly observed in the outpatient setting and frequently seen in men between 14 and 35 years of age. Both orchitis and epididymitis result in swelling or pain in parts of the male reproductive system. Orchitis is the inflammation of one or both of the testicles, while epididymitis is the inflammation of the epididymis, which is the tube at the back of the testicles. So, this summarizes the difference between orchitis and epididymitis.
Reference:
1. “Orchitis.” Mayo Clinic.
2. “Epididymitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Ultrasonography of orchitis” By Mikael Häggström – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Tuberculous epididymitis and orchitis” By Dr. Yale Rosen Atlas of Pulmonary (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr