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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

Having epididymitis usually means you're experiencing considerable pain and discomfort. To ease your symptoms, try these suggestions:

  • Rest in bed. Depending on the severity of your discomfort, you may want to stay in bed one or two days.
  • Elevate your scrotum. While lying down, place a folded towel under your scrotum.
  • Wear an athletic supporter. A supporter provides better support than boxers do for the scrotum.
  • Apply cold packs to your scrotum. Wrap the pack in a thin towel and remove the cold pack every 30 minutes or so to avoid damaging your skin.
  • Don't have sex until your infection has cleared up. Ask your doctor when you can have sex again.
Prevention Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Nickel JC. Inflammatory conditions of the male genitourinary tract: Prostatitis and related conditions, orchitis, and epididymitis. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1445/0.html. Accessed Aug. 15, 2011.
  2. Fort GG. Epididymitis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed Aug. 15, 2011.
  3. Yin S, et al. Diagnosis and management of testicular torsion, torsion of the appendix testis, and epididymitis. Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine. 2009;10:38.
  4. Trojian T, et al. Epididymitis and orchitis: An overview. American Family Physician. 2009;79:583.
  5. Schneck FX, et al. Abnormalities of the testes and scrotum and their surgical management. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1445/0.html. Accessed Aug. 15, 2011.
  6. Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 29, 2011.
DS00603 Nov. 2, 2011

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