Epididymitis is the fifth most common disease among men of nearly all ages, affecting more than 55% of men of the total population. Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs are the main cause of epididymitis and are responsible for the prevalence of epididymis inflammation. If left untreated, it can lead to male infertility. 

Therefore, it is always recommended that patients undergo proper treatment for effective recovery. In most cases, antibiotics are usually recommended, but they can result in severe side effects. Therefore, patients prefer home remedies over conventional treatment for epididymitis. Here we will discuss all effective home remedies for epididymitis in detail; keep reading.

What Is Epididymitis?

Epididymitis refers to the condition which involves the inflammation of the epididymis, which is a coiled tube present in the back of testicles, through which the sperms are passed to the vas deferens. 

Nearly men of every age are at risk of getting epididymitis. In some conditions, there is inflammation of the testicle and the epididymis, termed epididymal-orchitis. Studies have shown that nearly all cases of epididymitis occur because of bacterial infections such as gonorrhea and Chlamydia. They are sexually transmitted diseases or STDs, which put men at risk of epididymitis.

Symptoms Of Epididymitis 

Patients can experience below mentioned symptoms when suffering from epididymitis.

• Fever 
• Scrotum swelling
• Painful urination
• Testicular pain 
• Urination urgency
• Pinkish or red-colored semen
• Abdominal penis discharge 
• Increased urination frequency
• Increased scrotum temperature
• Pain in the lower abdominal or pelvic region

Causes Of Epididymitis 

The below-mentioned causes can cause epididymitis.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases or STDs

Bacterial infections are mainly responsible for the inflammation of the epididymis. And the most common source of this bacterial spread is sexual activities, resulting in epididymitis by causing STDs. Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia are commonly responsible for epididymitis.

Backflow Of Urine 

Sometimes, the urine can flow back into the epididymis due to reasons such as heavy lifting or any other pressure-putting activities. It causes irritation in the epididymis and inflammation resulting in epididymitis.

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate gland caused by a bacterial attack can also be a reason for epididymitis.

Urinary Tract Infections

Bacterial infections affecting the urinary tract can spread into the epididymis and result in epididymitis.

Injuries 

Any injury affecting epididymis and nearby regions, such as during surgeries, can also be a reason for epididymitis.

Viral Infections

Studies have shown that viral attacks such as mumps also increase the risk factor of epididymitis.

Tuberculosis 

TB can also cause epididymitis, but it occurs only in rare conditions.

Home Remedies For Epididymitis 

Antibiotics usually treat epididymitis. Persistent intake of antibiotics can result in several side effects which interfere with normal functions and metabolism in the body. Using home remedies or natural remedies for epididymitis can be the best option in this case. Here are discussed effective home remedies which can help patients recover epididymitis.

Increase Vitamin C Consumption

Vitamin C is an antioxidant present naturally in many fruits and vegetables. It can effectively help alleviate epididymitis symptoms, such as inflammation. Antioxidants such as vitamin C prevent the tissues from damage caused by free radicals, which can otherwise trigger inflammation and worsen the condition. Vitamin C also helps the ability to recover or restore the damaged cells of the epididymis among males, which can boost the recovery from epididymitis.

Vitamin C also boosts the immune functioning in the body. The immune system combats the attack of foreign substances, such as a microorganism which can be a reason for epididymitis. Studies have shown that bacterial attacks cause most epididymitis, and if the boosted immune system can overcome this bacterial infection, patients can quickly alleviate their symptoms.

Due to all the above-mentioned reasons, vitamin C can act as an effective home remedy for epididymitis. Patients can increase their vitamin C intake by including food such as citrus fruits, lemon, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and papaya in their diet.

Consume Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Increased omega-3 fatty acids are one of the effective home remedies for alleviating epididymitis. It has been observed that consuming these fatty acids by adding fish oil to the diet helps improve testicular metabolism and function, which further help prevent and recover epididymitis. 

Besides improved testicular functions, omega-3 fatty acids offer anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce the risk of epididymitis inflammation, thus recovering epididymitis. Omega-3 fatty acid also improves sperm production and its motility. You can increase its intake by eating food such as cod liver oil, salmon, and flaxseed.

Perform Regular Exercise

Performing regular exercises can also be an effective home remedy, which helps reduce inflammation, thus curing epididymitis. Obesity is the leading factor of inflammation in the body, which increases the risk of epididymitis. Physical exercise helps in controlling weight and prevents men from epididymitis. 

Exercises also reduce the risk of inflammation in the body by increasing blood flow. Pelvic-specific exercises or kegel exercises boost blood flow to the epididymitis, which is beneficial in reducing inflammation, thus alleviating epididymitis symptoms.

If you cannot perform any complicated exercises, walking can also help. Start with a daily walk of 30 minutes daily. You can increase this duration once you get used to it.

Increase Your Water Consumption

Increased water consumption can also be an effective home remedy for recovering epididymitis. Excess water intake lead to increased urination frequency, which helps in the effective removal of toxins and infectious bacteria from the body. When a person suffering from epididymitis increases the water or fluid intake, it allows infectious bacteria to release out of the body due to increased urination. 

It further helps in reducing inflammation, which boosts effective recovery from epididymitis. Therefore, it is always recommended to increase the water intake by drinking more glasses of fluids and eating fruits that are rich in water content.

Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is also an effective home remedy for epididymitis. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce the symptoms of epididymitis. The antiseptic properties of apple cider vinegar help the body combat microorganisms causing infection in the body. Anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling and inflammation caused by epididymitis, thus helping in recovery. Patients can use apple cider vinegar by drinking or applying it directly to the affected area. Take 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and add 8 ounces of water. 

Drink this mixture twice a day and continue for some days. When applying it to the affected area, dilute apple cider vinegar and then apply. Take a cloth, soak it in a mixture, and apply it for 10 to 15 minutes on the affected area. If apple cider vinegar is not diluted properly, the acidic nature of apple cider vinegar will burn the skin and cause irritation. Also, avoid direct contact with apple cider vinegar with your eyes.

Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is another effective home remedy for curing epididymitis. It is because of its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It helps kill the infectious bacteria responsible for causing this infection. Inflammation caused by epididymitis can also be alleviated by coconut oil. It also acts as an antioxidant that helps recover the damaged cells of the epididymis.

Besides, coconut oil also increases the immune functioning of the body. It helps kill infectious bacteria and clean the area free of attacking bacteria. Patients can use coconut oil both orally and topically. Try taking a tablespoon of coconut oil with each meal for oral consumption. For topical application, apply a few drops of coconut oil on the affected area twice a day.

Consume Garlic

Garlic is considered an effective home remedy for recovering epididymitis. Like coconut oil, garlic also offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. All these properties help remove the infectious bacteria from the body, repairing the already damaged tissues and preventing epididymis cells from further damage.

Patients can increase garlic consumption by eating raw or taking it as a supplement. Garlic can also be applied topically. Just make the paste from it and apply it to the affected area. Patients may find the odor of garlic unpleasant; keep this point in mind while applying.

Use Goldenseal

Goldenseal is an herb native to the United States and has been used for recovering many disorders, such as epididymitis. A unique component known as berberine is present in goldenseal, which offers antiseptic properties which help in killing bacteria from the epididymis. This herbal remedy also helps in reducing inflammation, thus alleviating epididymis symptoms.

Patients can use goldenseal orally and topically. For oral consumption, prepare a mixture by adding one tablespoon of goldenseal powder to one glass of water. Drink this mixture twice a day for several days. You can use goldenseal tincture on affected areas for topical application by buying from a trustworthy source.

Use Echinacea

It is an herbal remedy for treating various health ailments, mainly infections and inflammation. It has been observed that patients taking echinacea have experienced improvement in their symptoms. It is because of the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of echinacea, which can effectively cure epididymitis.

Patients can take Echinacea in different dosage forms, such as tablets, extracts, and teas. Taking 400 to 900 milligrams of echinacea supplement is usually recommended to patients. The duration for this supplement can vary from a few days to 2 months. Remember, there may be an interaction of echinacea with health conditions and other drugs. Therefore, it is always recommended to consult with the doctor before taking these supplements. For making tea from echinacea, take 2 teaspoons of dried Echinacea herb and add into boiling water. Continue boiling it for 10 minutes and then strain and drink.

Use Saw Palmetto 

It is also an herbal remedy used long for treating epididymitis. Saw palmetto also offers anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which help in combating infectious bacteria and reducing inflammation caused by epididymitis, thus alleviating the symptoms.

Saw palmetto is available in different dosage forms in the market. You can use this orally as well as topically for treating epididymitis. For oral consumption, saw palmetto capsules are present. Taking 320 to 640 mg of dose of saw palmetto is usually recommended. Consulting a doctor first is always the best idea if you are suffering from different health conditions, such as pregnancy.

For topical application, you can buy saw palmetto extract from the market. Dilute this extract with any essential oil before applying it. Then, apply this mixture to the affected area several times a day. 

Use Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is beneficial for epididymitis because of its antibacterial properties. By killing the bacteria, tea tree oil reduces inflammation and boosts effective recovery. To use it for epididymitis, prepare a mixture by adding a few drops of oil in warm water and then apply it to the affected area by soaking or compressing. You can also add some essential or carrier oil to the mixture before applying. Ensure you’re buying organic tea tree oil from a trustworthy source.

Conclusion 

Epididymitis can be effectively alleviated by the natural remedies we discussed above. Once the infectious bacteria eliminate from the body by using natural remedies, patients can quickly recover from epididymitis. Remember, if you are not observing any improvement in your symptoms by home remedies, it is always recommended to consult a doctor and seek proper medical attention.