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STDs (Expert Forum)
Epiditymitis after antibiotic treatment?
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Epiditymitis after antibiotic treatment?
by rb1976, Oct 05, 2005 12:00AM
While away on business I noticed a lump in my scrotum. I went online to see what it potentially was. I found cancer, groin pull, or an std (chlamydia or gonnorhea). After further investigation I suspected it was an std. The lump started in my lower abdomen and continued to my testicle on the right side. However it did not actually extend to the testicle itself. Being away I could not make an appointment with my physician. I was able to get my hands on an antibiotic Zmax (2g azithromycin)from a friend who always travels with an antibiotic. However, what I am assuming is an inflamation (inflammation) of the epididymis has not gone away.
I have an appointment with my doctor next week. However I am still freaking out. Assuming I have made the right diagnosis how long does it take for the inflammation to go away? Did I take the correct medicine? Could it be something else (cancer)?
P.s. I have had sex with two woman in the past month. One with a condom and one once without.
I have an appointment with my doctor next week. However I am still freaking out. Assuming I have made the right diagnosis how long does it take for the inflammation to go away? Did I take the correct medicine? Could it be something else (cancer)?
P.s. I have had sex with two woman in the past month. One with a condom and one once without.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Oct 05, 2005 12:00AM
, Oct 05, 2005 12:00AM
This doesn't sound like epididymitis, which does not start with a "lump in the lower abdomen" that extends into the scrotum; and epididymitis involves the testicle itself. Severe pain (which presumably you would have mentioned) is the dominant symptom in sexually acquired epididymitis, and the swelling of the testicle usually is diffuse, not just a discrete lump. And most (but not all) sexually acquired epididiymitis is associated with symptomatic urethritis, i.e. abnormal penile discharge and pain or discomfort on urinating.
In any case, you will never know for sure about STDs as a cause; the azithromycin will have eradicated either gonorrhea or chlamydia, the almost-exclusive causes of sexually acquired epididymitis. Self-treatment was not a smart move. But since epididymitis is extremely unlikely, it probably makes no difference.
As to what you have, I can only speculate. A mass starting in the abdomen and extending into the scrotum sounds most like a hernia. You are right to be concerned about testicular cancer, the most common malignancy in young men. However, if you are right that the lump "did not extend to the testicle itself" then it almost certainly isn't cancer (and also not epididymitis). Other common causes of scrotal masses include hydrocele (a fluid-filled cyst), spermatocele (sperm-filled cyst in the spermatic cord, the "cord" you can feel that leads upward from each testicle), fibroma (fibrous tumor), lipoma (fatty tumor). All of these are benign, with no serious health outcome.
Bottom line: Don't worry much about an STD or other serious outcome. But see a health care provider soon for a definitive evaluation.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
In any case, you will never know for sure about STDs as a cause; the azithromycin will have eradicated either gonorrhea or chlamydia, the almost-exclusive causes of sexually acquired epididymitis. Self-treatment was not a smart move. But since epididymitis is extremely unlikely, it probably makes no difference.
As to what you have, I can only speculate. A mass starting in the abdomen and extending into the scrotum sounds most like a hernia. You are right to be concerned about testicular cancer, the most common malignancy in young men. However, if you are right that the lump "did not extend to the testicle itself" then it almost certainly isn't cancer (and also not epididymitis). Other common causes of scrotal masses include hydrocele (a fluid-filled cyst), spermatocele (sperm-filled cyst in the spermatic cord, the "cord" you can feel that leads upward from each testicle), fibroma (fibrous tumor), lipoma (fatty tumor). All of these are benign, with no serious health outcome.
Bottom line: Don't worry much about an STD or other serious outcome. But see a health care provider soon for a definitive evaluation.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
HHH, MD
Thanks for the info. It actually feels like the vas deferen on the right side is hard down to the epididymis, but the epididymis is not hard nor is the testicle. The swelling in the abdomin (abdomen) is the vas deferen entering the body. The groin does not hurt to touch but I do notice mild discomfort. Any additional info would be appreciated.