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How do I Choose the Best Epididymitis Treatment?
Epididymitis is an infection of the epidiymis of the male testicles and can occur in males of all ages, though it most commonly occurs in men 20 to 39 years of age. This condition is typically treated with a variety of different types of antibiotics and may also be treated with prescription anti-inflammatory medications. Especially for men of the target age group, follow-up care is crucially important as well. The main purpose of any epididymitis treatment is to reduce swelling and eliminate the cause of the infection to restore the function and health of the testicles. Symptoms of this condition include pain in the testicles and groin area, scrotal swelling, and pain during urination.
Antibiotics are the most common type of epididymitis treatment for men under 39 years of age. For young boys, the cause of the condition is usually trauma that resulted in infection to the area, and it is suggested that a pediatrician prescribe the appropriate type and dosage of the antibiotic. For men ranging in age from 20 to 39, the most common cause of epididymitis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and is likely to be prescribed antibiotics such as azithromycin and doxycycline to treat the infection. Older men are usually given ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin for symptom relief.
Another commonly used type of acute epididymitis treatment is anti-inflammatory medications. These are most often prescribed to patients with a chemical or non-infectious type of epididymitis. Patients requiring this form of medication therapy do not have a STD or any other type of infection causing the pain and swelling, and therefore there is no need for an antibiotic. The cause of this type of chronic epididymitis is often unknown, and it is considered to be effective and therapeutic to treat the swelling and inflammation of the area.
One factor every patient with epididymitis requires is effective follow-up care and treatment to ensure the condition is eliminated. In some cases, the standard epididymitis treatment of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications is not sufficient and further testing, such as an ultrasound, is needed. This test can indicate the presence of a testicular tumor or other problem. If the condition was caused by an STD, it is important for the patient and their sexual partner or partners to be treated in order to avoid another infection. Most cases of epididymitis can be treated successfully with little chance of recurrence if the patient takes the appropriate preventative measures.
Discussion Comments
I have diagnosed with epididymitis for about 4 years. I've tried several different antibiotics but no significant improvement. I also tried scrotal support and ice compress. But they can only help to relieve the symptoms. Then a friend recommended me a herbal medicine called diuretic and anti-inflammatory pill. After four months efforts, all my symptoms were cured completely.
I am a 54 year old male. I have had pain in my lower abs and right testis. It has also bee swollen for a month and a half.
I was sent by a doc for a malaria test which was negative. I was then sent for an ultrasound which showed I have a swollen epididymis and bilatural hidrocele. What can I do?
It's interesting that doctors don't usually use penicillin to treat this infection. I've never had an STD myself, but I thought that usually penicillin was the go-to treatment for that kind of infection.
Interestingly enough, the medications (doxycycline and ciprofloxacin) that are usually used for epididymitis and also commonly prescribed for urinary tract infections. I guess they work well for infections in that area of the body?
@Monika - Well, being female, I've never had epididymitis. However, I'm going to assume they probably figure out whether it's caused by an infection by doing a blood test. Your blood work can show whether you have a bacterial infection or a virus or what.
Also, they probably administer an STD test to find out if its an STD. Then they can figure out which treatment for epididymitis to administer.
Anyway, I feel bad for the poor souls afflicted with this condition. It sounds bad, but then again at least it's not really life threatening.
It's interesting that this condition can be caused by a few different things. I imagine it's important for a doctor to figure out the cause of the epididymitis symptoms before prescribing treatment.
As the article said, if it's not caused by an infection, there would be absolutely no need to prescribe antibiotics to someone with this condition. But if it is caused by an infection you would have to figure out exactly which one. I'm pretty sure that a lot of STD's respond to different medications.
I wonder how I doctor would make this distinction though?
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