What is epididymis and its function?
The epididymis is a long, coiled tube that rests on the backside of each testicle. It carries and stores sperm cells that are created in the testes. It’s also the job of the epididymis to bring the sperm to maturity — the sperm that emerge from the testes are immature and incapable of fertilization.
What happens if epididymitis goes untreated?
If left untreated, epididymitis may cause an abscess, also known as a puss pocket, on the scrotum or even destroy the epididymis, which can lead to infertility. As with any infection left untreated, epididymitis may spread into another body system and, in rare cases, even cause death.
What is the role of epididymis in male fertility?
Epididymis is a coiled structure within the scrotum that plays a significant role in male fertility: 1) Sperms mature physiologically, their motility and fertilising capacity increases within the epididymis. 2) It also helps in the transportation of sperms.
Where is epididymis located?
testes
The epididymis is found on the posterior surface of the testes, and sits along the entire length of the posterior testes.
Can a woman give a man epididymitis?
Can I pass the infection to my sex partner? Yes, if the infection is from an STD. (This is most often the cause in men under 40 who have sex.) In this case, the infection can be passed back and forth through sex.
What is the best treatment for epididymitis?
Epididymitis caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics, most often doxycycline (Oracea®, Monodox®), ciprofloxacin (Cipro®), levofloxacin (Levaquin®), or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim®). Antibiotics are usually taken for 1 to 2 weeks. Men who have epididymitis can also relieve their symptoms by: Resting.
Does the epididymis protect sperm?
Sperm Protection. An additional function of the epididymis is to protect sperm cells during epididymal transit from damage caused by the external environment [26]. The epididymis has many mechanisms to aid in the protection of sperm.
What happens if the epididymis is removed?
Your epididymis will be detached from the testicle, and part or all of your epididymis will be removed, causing irreversible damage to the passage of sperm from your testis and definitely will affect your fertility.
Can I feel my epididymis?
On the back at the top, you should feel the epididymis, a tube that carries sperm. This is a normal lump and may feel tender to the touch. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any swelling, lumps, or changes in the size or color of a testicle.