How is Orchitis Treated?

Orchitis or the inflammation of one or both testicles is a serious condition. If left untreated, it can lead to shrinkage of testicles and even infertility in men. As such, orchitis must be treated at the earliest and with proper care.

Orchitis treatment is a two-step process that involves diagnosis and medication.

Diagnosis of Orchitis

There are a number of diagnostic tests that are performed to determine the presence or absence of the condition. These include the following:

• Ultrasound: An ultrasound of the inflamed testicle is done to determine whether the inflammation and pain are due to orchitis or any other medical condition.
• Rectal examination: A rectal examination is done to determine if there is any prostate infection. This is an essential part of orchitis treatment guidelines because if the infection involves the prostate, the antibiotic treatment will have to continue for a long duration of time.
• Urine test: A urine sample is tested to check for STD's or other bacteria that may be the cause behind the infection.
• Blood test: A blood test is done to test for syphilis and HIV if there is any suspicion of a sexually transmitted disease.

Treatment of Orchitis

Treatment in most cases of orchitis requires administering antibiotics along with anti-inflammatory medications and cold packs. Complete recovery from orchitis may take several weeks, regardless of the cause of inflammation.

In most cases, doctors advise patients suffering from this condition against indulging in sexual intercourse and lifting heavy objects while they are getting treated and recovering from orchitis.

Generally, full recovery from orchitis is possible if the treatment starts before the condition reaches an extreme stage. The doctor may also ask the patient to undergo a re-evaluation at the end of the treatment so as to be sure that the condition has been fully cured.