Swollen scrotum...

For about a week now, I have been having pains at the right side of my scrotum which is also swollen. Earlier during the week, it released some puse and blood but since then, nothing. It just pains me, mosttimes with a sweet burning sensation. The swell is as though something dry and hard is inside it. I had unprotected sex about 5 weeks ago. I await the result of some tests I did. I am curious as to what might be the problem. I would really love a tip-off as to what the problem might be.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Where did the pus and blood come from--the scrotum itself, the penis, or somewhere else?  If the skin of the scrotum, perhaps all you had was folliculitis (a boil).

But if the swelling feels like it is coming from inside the scrotum--i.e. involves the testicles etc--then you probably have epididymitis.  Gonorrhea and chlamydia are the main causes, and the timing is about right for having unsafe sex a few weeks ago. However, some cases are due to non-sexually transmitted urinary tract infections and rare cases are due to tuberculosis or other infections.  Epididymitis can be quite serious; it can destroy the testicle and if both sides are involved can cause sterility.

Please see a health care provider right away--unless you think it was superficial (a boil) and now is clearing up on its own.

Good luck--   HHH, MD