STD : HOW ARE EPIDIDYMITIS AND PROSTATITIS TRANSMITTED?
These infections are most often caused by bacteria that can be sexually or nonsexually transmitted; less often, they are caused by other pathogens, such as fungi or those that cause tuberculosis. A common myth is that epididymitis and prostatitis are caused by the “back-up” of sperm or urine into the epididymis or prostate, respectively, which can be caused by straining with urination. Prostate infection was also at one time attributed to the “overproduction” of sperm. Neither of these statements is true. Although reflux of infected secretions from the urethra or bladder may contribute to both of these infections, it is the underlying infections that are to blame, not the mechanical process of reflux.
Epididymitis
The most common bacteria that cause epididymitis—those that cause chlamydia and gonorrhea and the other nonspecific bacteria—are sexually transmitted (see the sections on these specific infections). These bacteria can be transmitted by unprotected genital, anal, or oral contact with an infected partner. Performing anal sex on a partner increases the risk of infection of the epididymis and urethra, bladder, and prostate with the bacteria commonly found in stool. Condoms—if they are used consistently and correctly and they do not leak or break—will prevent the transmission of these bacteria.
As discussed earlier, men can also become infected from UTIs or after surgery of the urinary tract or the insertion of instruments into the urethra and bladder. Any condition that predisposes a man to a bladder infection can also result in epididymitis.
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