epididymitis ... has anyone had this condition and is it an STD?

Question

My new husband is retired military. We recently had to go though all his medical files. I saw the word "epididymitis" many times through the 20 years he was in, and I asked him what it was. He said it is strain of the testicles that follows sex, and he was always told to put ice on the pain. He had done this several times in our marriage, but I didn't think much of it until I saw this repeated diagnosis. I looked it up to see if there were any better treatments for it than an ice pack, and it said that in young boys it was usually caused by poor hygiene, but with men between about 18 and 40, it was most probably picked up from a partner, and could carry gonorrea and chlamydia with the infection. When I looked deeper into his file, I saw he was treated with antibiotics every time, and told to use ice and wear loose underwear. I am scared. He still has this occasional use of ice afterwards, which tells me he is still dealing with it, and possibly has put me at risk. Am I at risk?

Answer 1

Epididymitis is an inflammation or infection of the epididymis, a convoluted duct that lies on the posterior surface of the testicle. If the inflammation or infection extends to the adjacent testicle, epididymo-orchitis is present. The most common cause of intrascrotal inflammation is epididymitis.

Epididymitis most often is due to the retrograde extension of organisms from the vas deferens and is rarely the result of hematogenous spread. The causative organism is identified in 80% of patients and varies according to the age of the patient.

Coliform bacteria (Escherichia coli) predominate in prepubertal males. These patients require urologic evaluation for a genitourinary anomaly, which is present in as many as 50% of these patients. Epididymitis in this age group could also be secondary to a postinfectious inflammatory reaction to certain pathogens. Research has shown that boys with epididymitis had significantly elevated titers for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, enteroviruses, and adenoviruses when compared with control groups.

Sexually transmitted pathogens are the organisms most often responsible for epididymitis in the patient younger than 35 years. Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for nearly 50-60% of cases, while Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the second most common organism responsible for epididymitis.

In patients older than 35 years, coliform bacteria predominate because underlying obstructive urinary disease is often present. However, sexually transmitted pathogens are still a consideration.

Chemical epididymitis, which represents an inflammatory process due to the reflux of sterile urine, is a rare cause of epididymal irritation. Other rare causes of epididymitis include tuberculosis, brucellosis, and schistosomiasis.

* All sexual partners of patients with epididymitis secondary to a sexually transmitted disease need referrals to assure that they receive adequate testing and treatment.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

This is the inflammation of the coiled tube behind the testicles. It reportedly happens after a urinary infection, via STDs, when urine flows into the vas deferens following heavy exertion, or after urino-genital surgery. Antibiotics are one of the treatment options, depending on the cause of the condition. Intercourse must be avoided when symptoms surface.

Answer 4

I'd go with a hernia. Have it checked out. Great results. Know several people who have had hernia surgery.

Answer 5

It means he was promiscuous during his military career.



Seriously though...you need to discuss this with him, there are some things he's not being up front about.