Sexual Health | Bacterial STIs and related conditions | Epididymitis

Epididymitis
Session Overview
Description
This session covers the approach to epididymitis with a suspected sexually transmitted infection (STI) cause, at a level suitable for enhanced practitioners.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the full range of causes of epididymal pain and swelling, including non-sexual infections
• List the important differential diagnoses
• Recognise when urgent urological referral to exclude torsion or tumour is indicated
• Select appropriate investigations for STIs
• Select an appropriate first line antimicrobial regimen and give other management advice
• Give appropriate information to patients diagnosed with sexually-related epididymitis regarding treatment, partner notification and sexual abstinence

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should complete the sessions:

• Module 1/Male Anatomy and Physiology (260-0006)
• Module 1/Female Anatomy and Physiology (260-0005)

Epididymitis is a common, predominantly acute inflammatory condition which affects the epididymis. In addition to affecting the epididymis, it may also involve the testes (epididymo-orchitis). It is usually caused by a bacterial infection.

Most patients seen in clinics present with unilateral scrotal pain. Indeed, epididymo-orchitis is the commonest cause of scrotal pain. In addition to pain, the scrotum may become swollen and erythematous.

The mainstay of treatment is antibiotics, analgesia and rest.