Causes of orchitis

The main causes of orchitis in men include:

1. Infectious infections. Infection can penetrate the testicle from nearby or distant foci by hematogenous route. Orchitis may occur against the background of such diseases:

• Brucellosis – infection occurs from animals and occurs with multiple lesions of various organs and systems, including the reproductive system.
• Chickenpox is an acute infectious pathology with high contagiousness. It occurs with the formation of a vesicular rash on the skin.
• Typhoid fever is an acute intestinal anthroponosis infection. It causes damage to the lymphatic system of the lower part of the small intestine. It occurs with fever, skin rashes and general intoxication of the body.
• Vesiculitis is an infectious disease that causes inflammation of the seminal vesicles.
• Gonorrhea is a disease from the group of STDs. It is characterized by the defeat of gonococcal infections of the mucous membranes of the genitourinary organs.
• Infectious prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland caused by infectious factors.
• Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra. It occurs due to the action of various viruses and bacteria.
• Epididymitis is an inflammatory lesion of the epididymis. It occurs with swelling and hyperemia of the scrotum.

Orchitis can be a complication of influenza, acute respiratory viral infections, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and can also occur with a weakened immune system.

2. Traumatic and post-traumatic factors. The disease develops with direct mechanical impact on the organ tissue:

• Direct trauma to the testicle.
• Complications of surgical intervention.
• Cystoscopy.
• Catheterization of the urinary bladder.
• Urethral dilation and other medical procedures.

3. Congestion in the genitals and pelvis. The disease develops as a result of impaired blood circulation or outflow of seminal fluid.

• Varicose veins.
• A sedentary, inactive lifestyle.
• Hypothermia.
• Frequent interrupted sexual intercourse.
• Masturbation.
• Sexual excesses or abstinence.

Of particular danger are stagnation phenomena in combination with pathogenic microflora, that is, secondary infections.

Orchitis in mumps

An acute infectious disease caused by a paramyxovirus and characterized by non-purulent lesions of glandular organs (pancreas, testicles, salivary glands) and the central nervous system is mumps. One of its complications is mumps orchitis.

Inflammatory lesions of the testicles develop due to the fact that the mumps virus enters the organ by hematogenous route. Pathogenic microorganisms affect blood vessels, which in some cases leads to thrombosis. Edema of the interstitial tissue causes compression of the testicular parenchyma, damaging the epitheliospermatogenic layer.

Orchitis with mumps develops on the 4th-9th day of the disease against the background of a decrease in swelling of the parotid gland. In rare cases, testicular damage precedes mumps, appearing simultaneously with it or 3 weeks into the disease.

Symptoms of complications:

• Deterioration of general well-being.
• Intoxication of the body.
• Elevated body temperature.
• Headaches.
• A sharp increase in the size of the testicles.
• The skin of the scrotum is stretched and hyperemic.
• Palpation of the testicles is painful.
• The pain radiates to the perineum and lower back.

Mumps orchitis can occur in acute and chronic forms. The diagnosis of the disease is based on the history of mumps infection and the presence of clinical symptoms. Differentiation with other acute diseases of the testicles is mandatory.

Antibiotics, analgesics, and antipyretics are used for treatment. In some cases, corticosteroids are prescribed, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, eliminating swelling of the testicular parenchyma. Corticosteroids prevent autoallergic processes in the organ, which can cause chronic disease. Local treatment is also prescribed using ointments, compresses, and suppositories.

Orchitis after surgery

Postoperative inflammation of the genitourinary system may be complicated by the development of orchitis. This disease occurs both with direct mechanical impact on the organ tissues and with various medical manipulations or diagnostic procedures:

• Catheterization of the urinary bladder.
• Urethroscopy.
• Cystoscopy.
• Urethral dilation.

The danger of the disease is its rapid progression. Against the background of recent surgical intervention, the symptoms of orchitis may be blurred, which complicates the diagnostic process. Treatment consists of a course of drug therapy, physiotherapy, and in especially severe cases, surgical intervention.

Traumatic and post-traumatic orchitis

Direct impact on the inguinal-scrotal area causes traumatic damage to the soft tissues of the scrotum and its organs. In most cases, such injuries are combined with dysfunction of the penis.

• Injuries can occur when engaging in certain types of sports, in everyday situations, in road accidents, sexual contact, or animal bites.
• The painful condition can be caused by frequent shaking and vibration, thermal factors (steam or boiling water burns, hypothermia).

Injuries to the scrotum organs can be closed or open, but all of them can cause the development of post-traumatic orchitis. Clinical symptoms depend on the severity of the circulatory disorder in the scrotum. In mild cases, slight swelling and hyperemia are observed. Such symptoms do not cause concern and disappear on their own.

In case of severe disorders of blood and lymph circulation, severe swelling and hyperemia occur, which indicate the development of orchitis. Against this background, acute painful sensations appear, followed by a feeling of heaviness and overexertion. The peculiarity of traumatic orchitis is that it has a tendency to abscess formation. It is also characterized by persistent local inflammatory reactions.

Ultrasound of the scrotum organs and ultrasound of its vessels are used for diagnostics. Treatment can be either medicinal or surgical. If the injury is uncomplicated, symptomatic therapy with painkillers, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs is indicated. Local cooling of injured tissues and immobilization by applying a bandage or suspensory are also recommended. After 3-5 days, physiotherapy procedures may be prescribed to promote the resorption of subcutaneous hemorrhages.

Orchitis after pyelonephritis

One of the factors contributing to the development of orchitis is pyelonephritis. The disease has a bacterial origin. Pathogenic microflora penetrates the renal tubule system and triggers purulent-inflammatory processes that lead to damage to the kidneys and genitourinary system.

The hematogenous route of infection spread leads to testicular damage. Symptoms of orchitis against the background of pyelonephritis are complicated by the primary disease. The patient experiences urinary disorders and acute pain in the scrotum. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and is aimed at eliminating all foci of inflammation.