Causes of Epididymitis

According to the Mayo Clinic, epididymitis is "an inflammation of the coiled tube (epididymis) at the back of the testicle that stores and carries sperm." Causes of epididymitis range from infections to use of certain medications. Antibiotics, bed rest, elevation of the scrotum and ice packs can treat epididymitis. While the condition does not affect a man's reproductive or sexual ability, it can be a recurring problem.

Infections

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as gonorrhea and chlamydia (bacterial infections) are the most common cause of epididymitis in sexually active young men, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sexually active men should have regular STD examinations to detect and treat these diseases. Younger men, older men and homosexual men may also contract epididymitis from bacterial infections that may not be sexually transmitted. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the bacterial infection moves from the bladder or urethra to the epididymis. Two common infections--urinary tract and prostate--can cause epididymitis, as the bacteria can spread from the point of origin to the epididymitis. The bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the cause of tuberculosis, can also cause epididymitis, but the Mayo Clinic points out that epididymitis resulting from fungal infections is rare.

Chemical Epididymitis

Chemical epididymitis is caused by a reversal of urine flow. According to the Mayo Clinic, the urine moves backward into the man's epididymis, resulting in its inflammation. Chemical epididymitis most often occurs when the man is straining or performing heavy lifting.

Medicinal Cause

According to the Mayo Clinic, the heart medication amiodarone can also cause epididymitis in some men by inflaming the epididymis. Amiodarone prevents abnormal heart rhythms. Epididymitis caused by anti-arrhythmic medications is treated by reducing the dosage or switching to another medication, but this should only be done with the supervision of a doctor.