Causes and risk factors
Orchitis is common in young men. Mumps is commonest cause for orchitis. Orchitis can be seen along with infection of prostate or epididymis. Men who are not immunised against mumps in childhood, having history of recurrent UTI, Genitourinary surgeries, or with congenital abnormality in genital tract have risk of Orchitis. It can be associated with patient having history of STD like gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, Certain sexual behaviours like having multiple sex partners, sexual intercourse with partner having STD can lead to Orchitis.
Clinical presentation
Painful swelling and tenderness of the testes, enlargement of inguinal lymph nodes, heamaturia, hematospermia [blood in semen] are major symptoms of Orchitis. Fever, nausea and vomiting may follow.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and Clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. Tests for screening of STD, urine test, routine blood tests, and ultrasound with colour Doppler of the scrotum help in diagnosing the disease.
Treatment
Bacterial Orchitis due to STD is treated with antibiotics. Here the sexual partner of the patient also requires treatment. Viral Orchitis is treated with NSAIDS, analgesics. Patient is advised rest, scrotal elevation, cold packs.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating Orchitis. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating Orchitis.
