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Testicular infection or torsion

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Treatment:

If the cause is bacterial, epididymitis and orchitis may respond to antibiotics. Pain medications and other treatments may be recommended.

Prompt surgery is required for testicular torsion.

Expectations (prognosis):

With appropriate diagnosis and adequate treatment, normal function of the testicle is usually preserved. If the infection is severe or testicular torsion is not surgically corrected promptly, infertility and testicular atrophy (shrinkage) may result.

Complications:

• Loss of testicular function ( infertility )
• Severe infection

Calling your health care provider:

Any time there is persistent or severe testicular pain, with or without any of the other symptoms listed above, call your health care provider promptly.

• Review Date: 10/20/2005
• Reviewed By: David R. Knowles, M.D., Advanced Urologic Surgeons, Mt. Vernon, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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