What N45 covers · when clinicians use it
ICD-10 code N45 identifies Orchitis and epididymitis in the U.S. ICD-10-CM clinical and billing record set. It sits within the Genitourinary System chapter (N00–N99), the section that groups related diagnoses so providers, payers, and public-health agencies report them consistently. Clinicians and medical coders apply N45 when an encounter's findings match the Orchitis and epididymitis description, attaching it to the patient record so downstream insurance claims, payer audits, quality reporting, and epidemiological surveillance all reference the same standardized diagnosis. The ICD-10-CM is maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, with an updated official code set released each U.S. fiscal year — always verify N45 against the current CMS/CDC release and your payer's documentation guidance before final use. This page summarizes documentation context for N45 and is a coding reference, not clinical, diagnostic, or billing advice.
N45 refers to Orchitis and epididymitis, a broad range of male urogenital disorders including benign prostatic conditions, testicular abnormalities, penile disorders, male infertility, and sexual dysfunctions affecting quality of life and reproductive health.
Symptoms
- Urinary hesitancy or retention – Common in benign prostatic hyperplasia (N40)
- Pelvic pain or swelling – Seen in prostatitis (N41), orchitis, and epididymitis (N45)
- Scrotal masses – Associated with hydrocele and spermatocele (N43)
- Sexual dysfunction – Including erectile dysfunction (N52) and other sexual issues (N53)
- Infertility – Due to various male reproductive tract abnormalities (N46)
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Orchitis and epididymitis includes history taking, physical examination (digital rectal exam for prostate), semen analysis (for infertility), imaging (scrotal ultrasound, prostate ultrasound), urinalysis, and blood tests (PSA levels, hormone panels).
ICD10 Code Usage
ICD10 code N45 is used by urologists, primary care physicians, and reproductive endocrinologists to diagnose, treat, and document male reproductive system disorders ranging from benign conditions to serious infections and sexual dysfunctions.
Related Codes
- N40 – Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- N41 – Inflammatory diseases of prostate
- N42 – Other and unspecified disorders of prostate
- N43 – Hydrocele and spermatocele
- N44 – Noninflammatory disorders of testis
- N46 – Male infertility
- N47 – Disorders of prepuce
- N48 – Other disorders of penis
- N49 – Inflammatory disorders of male genital organs, not elsewhere classified
- N50 – Other and unspecified disorders of male genital organs
- N51 – Disorders of male genital organs in diseases classified elsewhere
- N52 – Male erectile dysfunction
- N53 – Other male sexual dysfunction
FAQs
Q1: What is ICD10 code N45?
A: It refers to Orchitis and epididymitis, encompassing various disorders of the prostate, testes, penis, and male reproductive or sexual function.
Q2: What causes benign prostatic hyperplasia (N40)?
A: Aging-related hormonal changes leading to prostate gland enlargement, commonly causing urinary symptoms.
Q3: What leads to male infertility (N46)?
A: Causes include low sperm count, varicocele, hormonal imbalances, infections, and genetic abnormalities.
Q4: What is the difference between hydrocele (N43) and spermatocele?
A: A hydrocele is fluid buildup around the testicle; a spermatocele is a cyst containing sperm in the epididymis.
Q5: How is erectile dysfunction (N52) treated?
A: Treatment options include lifestyle changes, oral medications (PDE5 inhibitors), injections, vacuum devices, or penile implants.
Conclusion
ICD10 code N45 facilitates accurate diagnosis, documentation, and management of Orchitis and epididymitis, improving male urogenital health outcomes and addressing fertility, sexual wellness, and urinary quality of life concerns.