Warning! Early Symptoms of Orchitis

Orchitis is usually caused by bacterial, viral, or other pathogenic infections. It can be classified into acute and chronic conditions. Acute conditions develop rapidly with noticeable symptoms, while chronic conditions progress more subtly with relatively mild symptoms but a longer duration. Untreated orchitis can lead to severe consequences, such as testicular atrophy and infertility.

Some men who wear tight pants or sit for long periods are prone to bacterial growth in the testicles, leading to orchitis. Do not underestimate orchitis, as it can cause significant trouble, even infertility. If you experience the following symptoms, be vigilant:

1. Testicular pain

Testicular pain is one of the most common early symptoms of orchitis. Patients typically experience swelling, sagging, or stabbing pain in the testicular area, which may radiate to regions such as the groin and lower abdomen. When touching the testicles, the pain will intensify. The pain of acute orchitis is often more severe, while the pain of chronic orchitis is relatively mild but may persist.

2. Testicular swelling

Orchitis can cause congestion and edema of testicular tissue, leading to testicular swelling. The patient can feel increased testicular volume and a hardening of the texture. In the acute phase, testicular swelling may be more pronounced, while in the chronic phase, the swelling may be relatively mild, but the testicles will still have a certain degree of enlargement.

3. Redness and swelling of the scrotum

Due to the inflammatory response caused by orchitis, the scrotal area may also experience symptoms of redness and swelling. The skin of the scrotum may become red, hot, and accompanied by itching or pain.

4. Systemic symptoms

In the early stages of orchitis, patients may experience systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, etc. These symptoms indicate that the body responds to infections and must be taken seriously.

5. Abnormal urination

Some patients with orchitis may experience symptoms of abnormal urination, such as frequent urination, urgency, and pain during urination. This is because the testicles are adjacent to the urinary system, and inflammation may affect the urethra, leading to urethritis.

If the above symptoms occur, timely medical diagnosis should be sought. Doctors usually diagnose orchitis through the following methods:

1. Physical examination

The doctor will conduct a detailed physical examination of the patient's testicles and scrotum, observing their size, shape, texture, tenderness, and the degree of redness and swelling in the scrotum.

2. Laboratory examination

Laboratory tests include blood, urine, and semen analysis. These tests can help diagnose orchitis by determining the patient's white blood cell count, whether white blood cells are present in the urine, the quality of the semen, and other conditions.

3. Imaging examination

Imaging examinations such as ultrasound can help doctors observe the internal structure of the testicles and understand whether there are any abnormalities, such as swelling and fluid accumulation.

Treatments for orchitis mainly include medication, physical therapy, and surgical treatment:

For acute orchitis, doctors usually choose appropriate antibiotics for treatment based on the type of pathogen. If a viral infection causes orchitis, antiviral drugs need to be used. At the same time, doctors will also provide patients with symptomatic treatment drugs such as pain relief and swelling reduction to alleviate their symptoms.

For chronic orchitis, Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill is a good choice, and the treatment time may be longer, requiring patients to cooperate with the treatment patiently.

Physical therapy can relieve mild orchitis. Patients can apply a local hot compress to the testicles, accelerating blood circulation and reducing pain.

Doctors may recommend surgical treatment if orchitis causes testicular abscess or ineffective medication treatment. The surgery aims to incise and drain the abscess, remove necrotic tissue, and promote the resolution of inflammation.

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