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Medical experts associate orchitis with swelling and tenderness. It commonly occurs due to an underlying infection. Orchitis often occurs alongside mumps in younger people, but it may occur due to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in sexually active adults and teens. While most people recover with no issues within a few days, some may develop complications. This article reviews what orchitis is, including its symptoms, causes, risk factors, and more. What is orchitis Share on Pinterestskynesher/Getty ImagesOrchitis refers to the swelling of one or both testicles. Although it can occur on its own, it most commonly occurs alongside an underlying infection. The condition may or may not produce symptoms. Orchitis can also be acute or chronic. Symptoms Symptoms can range in severity from mild to severe. It can occur in both testicles, though it typically affects only one. When it develops, it usually resolves within 2 weeks. Common symptoms of orchitis include:blood in the semenpain in one or both testiclesfevergroin paina tender, heavy feeling, or swollen testicledischarge from the penispain during intercourse, ejaculation, or urinationscrotal swellingtender, swollen groin area on the affected side Causes Orchitis typically does not occur in isolation, meaning that it often accompanies another condition. Most commonly, it occurs due to a viral or bacterial infection. While viruses or bacteria can cause orchitis, the most common cause is mumps. When mumps is the cause, orchitis typically develops 4 to 6 days after infection. Other common causes include:bacterial infections, such as a urinary tract infection or infection of the prostate, are commonly the result of bacteria such as: StaphylococcusStreptococcusKlebsiella pneumoniaeEscherichia coliPseudomonas aeruginosamumps and rubella, which are most common in younger peopleviruses such as varicella, cytomegalovirus, coxsackievirus, or echovirusbacterial STIs, such as: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhea)Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia)Treponema pallidum (syphilis)immunocompromised people may develop orchitis due to other bacteria, such as: Cryptococcus neoformansToxoplasma gondiiHaemophilus parainfluenzaeCandida albicansMycobacterium avium complex Risk factors Orchitis typically occurs following certain viral infections. For example, it affects about 30% of post-puberty individuals with mumps. Though it may not be possible to stop all cases of orchitis, some risk factors include:multiple sexual partnersa history of epididymitis, a painful swelling of a tube behind the testiclessexual contact without a barrier method, such as a condombladder outlet obstructionlong-term use of a foley catheter, which drains urine from the bladdernot having the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinationstructural abnormalities Diagnosis A person who experiences a swollen or painful testicle should speak with their doctor for evaluation. A healthcare professional will likely review the individual’s medical and family history. A physical examination and a review of a person’s health history are usually enough to make a diagnosis. While not helpful for diagnosing orchitis, a doctor may order testing with a urethra swab or urine check. These can help diagnose the presence of an STI. A doctor will also need to rule out testicular torsion, a twisting of the testicle that causes blood loss and pain. To rule this out, they may order a color doppler ultrasonography. Treatment Treatment and management for orchitis can vary depending on the exact cause. Some common treatment options doctors may recommend include pain and anti-inflammatory medications, bed rest, and ice packs. In cases of bacterial infection, a doctor will likely recommend antibiotics to treat the infection. These antibiotics will differ according to whether an STI or another bacterium is causing the swelling. Outlook Most people who experience orchitis receive outpatient treatment. They also tend to do well with antibiotics in cases of bacterial infections, though a person may experience some swelling and tenderness following treatment. Most cases resolve within 10 days. Though most people recover with no issues, some do develop complications relating to orchitis. Some possible complications include: infertilityscrotal abscesschronic epididymitisfistula on the skin of the scrotum death of testicle tissue If a person develops swelling in their testicle without pain, it could be a sign of testicular cancer. Individuals should seek medical attention if they notice swelling to help rule out cancer. Prevention A person can take a couple of steps to help prevent orchitis. They include practicing safer sex by limiting the number of sexual partners, wearing condoms, and getting the MMR vaccination. Summary Orchitis refers to swelling and tenderness of one or both testicles. The condition typically occurs alongside certain infections, including mumps and STIs. While most people fully recover, some may develop complications such as infertility. A person can help prevent the condition through vaccination and practicing safe sex practices. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022Men's HealthUrinary Tract InfectionInfectious Diseases / Bacteria / VirusesSexual Health / STDs 3 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Azmat, C. E., et al. (2021). Orchitis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553165/Orchitis. (2019). https://ufhealth.org/orchitisWu, H., et al. (2021). Mumps orchitis: Clinical aspects and mechanisms.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2021.582946/fullFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Matt Coward, MD, FACS — By Jenna Fletcher on June 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageEverything you need to know about chlamydiaMedically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection. It does not often produce symptoms, but it can lead to fertility problems in both men and women.READ MOREWhat to know about gonorrheaMedically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection that needs treating right away to prevent long-term complications. 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