Epididymo-orchitis is an inflammation of the epididymis and/or testicle (testis). In adults, epididymo-orchitis is usually due to infection, most commonly from a urine infection or a sexually transmitted infection. A course of antibiotic medicine will usually clear the infection. Full recovery is usual. Epididymo-orchitis complications are uncommon.To get more news about Orchitis causes, you can visit our official website.

As the epididymis and testis lie next to each other, it is often difficult to tell if the epididymis, the testis, or both are inflamed. Therefore, the term epididymo-orchitis is often used.

In boys who have not reached puberty, symptoms are often not due to an infection. The most common cause at this age is thought to be urine refluxing into the duct that sperm pass down (the ejaculatory duct, or vas deferens). It can also be due to urine infection.

Rarely, epididymo-orchitis in children can be a complication of Henoch-Schönlein purpura, a condition caused by inflammation of the blood vessels.

In over-14s, most cases of epididymo-orchitis are due to an infection. Causes of infection include the following:Germs (bacteria) such as E. coli that cause urine infections can sometimes track down the vas deferens to cause an epididymo-orchitis. This can happen at any age and is the most common cause of epididymo-orchitis in men aged over 35 years. This is because partial blockage of urine flow becomes more common with increasing age, due to an enlarged prostate gland or narrowing of the urethra (urethral stricture). The urethra is the tube that urine flows out of from the bladder. Partial blockage of urine makes you more prone to develop urine infections.

A sexually transmitted infection is the most common cause of epididymo-orchitis in young men (but can occur in any sexually active man). It most commonly occurs with chlamydial and gonorrhoeal infections. In men, these infections typically infect the urethra to cause a urethritis. However, sometimes the infection can track down the vas deferens to the epididymis and testicle (testis).

The mumps virus used to be a common cause. Most people with mumps develop swelling of the parotid salivary glands. However, mumps in boys also causes epididymo-orchitis in about 1 in 5 cases. The virus gets to the testicles via the bloodstream. This cause is now uncommon since the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunisation is now routinely given to children.

An operation to the prostate gland or urethra
This may allow germs (bacteria) into the urethra which may track down to the testicles. Epididymo-orchitis used to be a common complication after removal of the prostate gland (prostatectomy). This is now rare due to better surgical techniques.

Medication
Epididymo-orchitis can occasionally be a side-effect of a medicine called amiodarone. It normally occurs at doses above 200 mg, especially when the dosage range reaches 400-800 mg.

Uncommon causes of epididymo-orchitis
Other viral infections are uncommon causes of epididymo-orchitis. Infection from other parts of the body can, rarely, travel in the blood to the testicles, such as tuberculosis (TB) and brucellosis. When this happens it is usually in people who have a problem with their immune system (for example, people with AIDS). Schistosomiasis is a tropical infectious disease that can cause epididymo-orchitis. Men with Behçet's disease may develop inflamed testicles to cause a non-infective epididymo-orchitis. Injury to the scrotum can cause inflammation of the epididymis and testicle.