The most common cause of epididymitis in most patients is a sexually transmitted infection such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, as it may cause infection to pass from the urethra to the vas deferens and then to the epididymis, causing inflammation. There are also other types of infections that may cause inflammation, such as tuberculosis and urinary tract infections.

The condition usually improves with antibiotics, and epididymitis is considered acute if it lasts 6 weeks or less, but it may become chronic if it increases. Many complications may result from left untreated epididymitis, including:

• The development of pus in the scrotum, causing the skin to open due to swelling and infection.
• Transmission of infection to the testicles.
• Epididymitis may cause infertility and fertility problems in men in rare cases.

Another source indicates that there are some possible rare complications of this condition, such as re-infection, causing the disease to turn from acute to chronic, testicular shrinkage, fistula or abnormal passage in the scrotum, and sepsis.

Does epididymitis cause infertility?

Epididymitis is a common cause of infertility and infertility in men, as about 40% or more of epididymitis cases are caused by chlamydia infection, which negatively affects the function of the testicles and sperm production, thus reducing fertility and the chances of having children.

In general, early diagnosis and treatment protects the patient from developing complications, so it is advised to go to the doctor as soon as symptoms appear and feel pain, and treatment includes antibiotics for a period ranging from one to two weeks, and you should continue to take the dose for the specified period even if you feel better. There are some other treatments that doctors may prescribe to relieve pain according to each case, such as pain relievers, cold compresses, and wearing comfortable clothes.