Which symptom is NOT associated with epididymitis?

Epididymitis is an inflammation of the epididymis, an important structure in the male reproductive system that houses sperm. The characteristic symptoms of epididymitis most often include localized tenderness in the affected area, swelling of the scrotum, and, in some cases, systemic symptoms like fever, which may lead to an increased heart rate.

Localized tenderness occurs because the inflammation causes pain when the area is palpated. Swelling of the scrotum is also a common manifestation due to the accumulation of fluid and inflammation. Rapid heart rate can occur as a response to pain or fever linked to the inflammation and infection process.

On the other hand, a rock-hard consistency of the prostate is not a symptom associated with epididymitis. Instead, this finding might suggest conditions related to the prostate itself, such as prostatitis or prostate cancer, rather than issues specifically related to the epididymis. Therefore, the presence of a rock-hard prostate is distinctly outside the normal symptomatology of epididymitis.