4 Months of Penile Pain, Irritation, Dribbling, Rash - No STD or Diagnosis. Help!

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Hello, I am seeking advice! I am 32 years of age and situation has lasted over 4 months. It started when a female at a strip club slid her hands into my pants and rubbed / grabbed my erect penis near the urinary meatus (opening). I felt a sharp pain at the time (not sure why honestly). I feel like perhaps it was due to her rubbing near the meatus.  The symptoms below started almost immediately from what I can recall.

Symptoms:

1. Slight rash on the top of the penis glans (head of penis). It is worse after a hot shower. It comes and goes, and can appear almost like a plaque covering, scaly at times. It sometimes starts at the top of the corona (where head meets shaft) and runs straight down to the urinary meatus (opening) like a stripe.

2. No visible lesions (or blisters) or warts on the exterior skin surface. Does not appear to be any internally as well and doctors have not been able to observe anything.

3. Slight purple on one side of urethra, when the meatus is opened to look inside. A small bump is near the top of the purple, or tip of the meatus; however, two urologists believe it is vein related.

4. After urinating, urine dribbles out of the bottom of the meatus. The meatus opens and closes (at the bottom) and urine drops drip / discharge. I have to wipe considerably. The glans around the meatus looks swollen (more one side) and when I press on it, urine will discharge. It is almost like urine gets stuck in the tip of the urethra.

5. No noticeable discharge, but the penis appears and feels “wet” inside, especially post urination. It seems that I am leaking / dribbling throughout the day, after urinating. Urine color is clear.

6. Pain consistently on the underside of the glans near the meatus. The pain can sometimes be very sharp and burn. I also feel a tickle or tingle sensation in the head of the penis that comes and goes. The entire glans is sensitive to touch. This is extremely irritating.

7. The meatus looks red and inflamed at times. It can be very sensitive or painful to the touch and irritated by clothing. This feeling comes and goes in intensity.

8. The bottom of the meatus opens wide (top remains closed) when the penis has increased blood flow and/or is erect. This is abnormal for my body. You can see directly into the urethra when this happens.

9. When erect, the glans / head region seems larger than it had previously and I would describe it as swollen. There is also an internal pain near the underside of the meatus, where it opens up near the bottom (as described). Feels like it is stretching / pins and needles.

10. The glans has a more prominent reddish rash, during and after an erection. The rash appears like I have scaly / dry skin. Post ejaculation my urethra appears red and inflamed as well, when looking inside the meatus. This subsides after some period of time.

11. Semen color seems to be more yellow that I remembered, prior to this incident. Sometimes I feel like there is pressure on the front of my testicles.

12. The pain and irritation increase throughout the day. When I wake up in the morning the symptoms are not as noticeable, besides a dull pain on the under-side of penis glans. Sometimes there is some redness on the top of the glans area.

Testing:

I have been well tested (multiple times) and am negative for the following STD's; HIV (RNA testing done as well), Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trich, HSV-2, Syphilis, Mycoplama & Ureaplasma, Hep A, Hep B, & Hep C. Again, all negative.

I found in this process that I am HSV-1 positive and likely have been for some period (so is a large % of the population).  I have had  blisters and a HSV like rash on the bottom of my nose in the past. I don’t think this is HSV-1 as there are no lesions in my genitals and this has gone on too long.

Due to viral load factors, I tested the viral infections (HIV, HSV-2, Hep) at 30 days and again at 95 days post exposure. I assume that I am in the clear based on statistics, but am certainly not a doctor. These tests were unlikely to be positive given the event as there was no intercourse.

Urine analysis looked okay. Red and white blood cell counts were okay, no bacteria infection or UTI found or diagnosed based on urine culture.

Treatment:

I have seen 5 urologists, 1 dermatologists and 1 family practice doctor. I have had 2 cystoscopies, and nothing was found (same urologist).

A family practice doctor thought it was due to some soap or lotion, but referred me to the 1st urologist. He thought nothing was visually wrong.

The 1st and 2nd urologist  said they have no clue as there was nothing outside of normal visual tolerance. The 2nd urologist gave me the 2 cystoscopies (camera up the urethra to the bladder) and nothing abnormal was found.

2nd urologist thought it was contact dermatitis due to the rash as nothing surfaced in either cystoscopy. My prostate was examined physically and was ruled to be okay. He referred me to another urologist and also said I should see a dermatologist.

The 3rd urologist confirmed the inflammation in the glans. He suggested to try Quercetin (there are clinical trials which have shown it has helped the prostate) and then potentially Doxy over a longer period as a next step (can be anti-inflammatory). My fear is taking an antibiotic without having a bacteria pathogen diagnosis could be pointless.

The 4th urologist (who the 2nd urologist referred me to) believed that this was related to nerves in the penis. He is a pain specialist and put me on Nortriptyline.

The dermatologist (urologist said I should see one) also saw inflammation and diagnosed the rash as a non-infectious seborrheic dermatitis. He prescribed a topical antibiotic / corticosteroid, which I used. I also tried a steroid. It has reduced some of the redness but not relieve any of the described pain or urine dribble. I am concerned about the use of a topical for an extended period (skin thinning) and have stopped using it. I have a follow-up visit with him scheduled.

Medication:

1. Doxycycline 100mg x2 times a day for 10 days, initially when symptoms started. No relief.

2. Topical cream for rash: Ala-Quin initially for 4 weeks, then tried another steroid cream. Has somewhat resolved the rash issue (not totally).

3. Metronidazole (Flagyl) 2g, x 1 dose for Trich as there is not a great test for this (urine apparently has weak sensitivity). Trich can cause swelling, come and go symptoms, etc.

4. Nortriptyline 20mg every day to resolve nerve issue. I just started this.

5. Supplements currently taking: 1g of Quercetin daily (shown to reduce inflation in clinical trials), Multivitamin, AHCC, Folic Acid, Vitamin E and B12.

The symptoms continue to persist and these treatments have not worked.

My Questions:

1. Does this sound like an STD? Could it be another bacteria pathogen or NGU?

2. If this nerve related due to some trauma, would it cause the rash?

3. Are there any ideas regarding further testing or a diagnosis? I was considering a semen culture but don't know where to have this done.

4. Would a HPV virus cause these symptoms? In men, I believe the HPV virus is typically asymptomatic and/or presents itself with warts.

5. How can I test for HPV other than a biopsy of the penis or penis scrape (which most doctors don’t perform)?

6. Could this be yeast related based on the symptoms? I have noticed an increased coating on my tongue which scrapes off and dry mouth symptoms. I have also noticed the coating and dry mouth is much worse after drinking alcohol or eating sugar (yeast related).

I should mention that my anxiety over this is through the roof and am aware of some changes in my body as a result of it (anxious, no hunger at times, weight loss, etc.). I also think the dry mouth could be related to anxiety.

Please, I am looking for some help! I know there is someone out there that can help me as this has gone on for so long. This is such a struggle and always on my mind.

Further, I am terrified about infecting a new person who I just started dating. A couple doctors indicated that I was safe to have intercourse as I was well tested, but I don’t feel right about having intercourse with the symptoms persistent.

Thanks all for your help. - Steve

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  • Edited

    Oh my. This is my situation for past six months. Multiple doctors. All tests negative.

    I finally got a dermatologist to do a biopsy but he saw redness on the shaft and took two samples from under the head of the penis and further down the shaft. He thought it was irritant contact dermatitis and one of the pathology reports said yes to that but the other said PSORIASIS. Google Genital Psoriasis.

    I am surprised there was no discussion of this possibility. Because he went with the irritant theory he has had me go 5 weeks with nothing on my penis and no touching no sex (not that I feel up to that!). So far, after 3 weeks, no change.

    At the end of the 5 weeks, I am going to ask for a biopsy near the meatus. I wanted the urologist to do that primary problem area months ago but instead he did a cytoscopy?! So furious.

    But, based on what I have read here, the biopsy by the meatus will find nothing. 😦

    How many of you had a biopsy?

    I had an active vigorous sex life until 6 months ago. Now never have sex with the wife or even with myself. And the discomfort of rubbing against the underwear makes this a nightmare distraction. I honestly think if this goes on for year it would be better to just remove the penis head!

    • Posted

      Pics here. I have taken daily pics for months and it fluctuates a great deal. But the inflamed bumps on either side of meatus are always there. After sex, they are very inflamed. Looks worse out of the shower and best when first wake up.

      imageimageimageimage

    • Posted

      hi jjb,

      as per your pictures mine is pretty much the same except my swelling and redness is just on my meatus not on the head of the penis, it looks like red lips. i also have the same split stream how one opening side is bigger than the other.

      id like to point you to this thread on reddit i found where it looks like this user had the same issues as us and fixed it with pelvic floor relaxation exercises for a month.

      www.reddit.com/r/Prostatitis/comments/6tvd0z/my_prostatitis_story/

      i am yet to try this but will be.

      also have you been tested for mycoplasm genitalium?

    • Posted

      I really hope you find the cure..

      I'm having similar problems, and multiple doctors can't get a diagnosis. I want to do a biopsy but I'm afraid it will leave a scar for the rest of my life. Are the samples that the doctors take big enough to make those visual changes to the penis?

    • Posted

      He used a 3mm punch biopsy. With local anesthetic, I didn't feel it at all. You can't see where he took the punch beneath the head of the penis. I can see a dark red spot down the mid shaft where he punched but as a circumcised male, it joins the other colorful skin on my penis! lol

      I REALLY hope he punches the top of the penis (by the meatus). I am going to beg him to punch there and found if it is irritant dermatitis or psoriasis.

      Irritant dermatitis - which sounds like the common "final" diagnosis of most guys here would be hell. Never knowing and no effective treatment. (The only thing that works is steroid cream. Denoside lotion). Currently he has me on 5 week no medication, no emollients, no nothing. He is checking to see if it is something in the medications that keeps it irritated. The main culprit is propylene glycol - named "Allergen of the Year" by the American Derm Society. It is in my antifungal, muprocin (antibacterial), steroid cream. .. just about everything I applied. Even so, I am doubtful that is the cause because my meatus looks like it did before all those medications.

      Hopefully I will have the next biopsy in 2.5 weeks and I will report back here.

      I am hoping in way that it is psoriasis. That would give me a demon to battle. And know what medicine to use. So far none of the medicine given has been with psoriasis in mind.

      Read this:

      http://practicaldermatology.com/2018/07/genital-psoriasis-the-care-gap-between-the-legs/

      "It is not surprising that psoriasis patients with genital involvement frequently have been treated for years for yeast, tinea, dermatitis, and sexually transmitted diseases.2 We are just beginning to realize how many medications patients with genital psoriasis have been needlessly exposed to—antifungals, antibiotics, antiseptic solutions, topical pain medications, and steroids—due to inaccurate diagnosis. Patients have had multiple encounters at acute care clinics, emergency rooms, urology clinics, and gynecology clinics with variable success but rarely control.

      The quality of life impact of genital psoriasis is far reaching. . . "

      On contact dermatitis - this Fisher's Contact Dermatitis book is thorough: https://books.google.com/books?id=dQBAzfyCeQ8C&pg=PA47&lpg=PA47&dq=propylene+glycol+on+penis&source=bl&ots=t_4tiAthlO&sig=ACfU3U2JJ2f3khVG22goQ2-s5iImNtnumg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiumMT9roDhAhXEx4MKHSebAdQQ6AEwC3oECAMQAQ#v=onepage&q=propylene%20glycol%20on%20penis&f=false

    • Posted

      My last pic is most typical. Is that what you guys are experiencing?

    • Posted

      Thanks for the reddit.

      Yes, I tested 2 times for mycoplasma genitalium with an at home kit I submitted to a certified lab. Apparently those tests are not yet FDA approved.

    • Posted

      when i got tested for mycoplasm i tested positive and so did my partner. it was lab results. i believe we took azithromicin. cleared us both up for that . it is possible that i managed to somehow get it again though as i do think it can reoccur.

    • Posted

      Did the doctor order the test or did you use an independent lab?

      Mycoplasma (MG) is tough to beat. Many studies find that up to half of zithro "cures" don't last and you have to test again many weeks or months out. It is becoming very resistant to azithromicin and many people have to turn to moxiflocacin. You might re-test

    • Posted

      i went to the doctors and asked for him to test for it as it isnt on the usual std test. but yeah u could possibly have it back but at the same time ive had this problem for a long time so i dont thi its related to my personal circumstances but it might be for you

  • Posted

    Does anyone here still have sex? If so, how do you manage the pain? Do you dose up on steroid cream beforehand?

    • Posted

      So I dont want to speak for everyone here but this seems to go in stages. my situation looked much like yours and then it peeled heavily and was perfect for a few weeks and some redness returned. the pain has subsided for me and is much more manageable now. sometimes its more sensitive then others but its manageable ive tried some diff things. i am going to try SOMXL as someone with this issue said it cured them completely. what i have noticed is that a peal seems to make things better. the sensitivity took about 8 months to get to a managable level.

    • Posted

      How did you peel?

      SOXML is for warts. Do you have warts on your meatus?

    • Posted

      i have sex with my partner with no pain. the only pain i would get is if the meatus touched raw with say a finger or so.

      my post to reply above is still being moderated as i linked to a reddit thread. but a guy on there had the same thing and cured it through pelvic floor relaxation exercises.

      where is your pain? is it just pain in your meatus? btw i am uncircumsized so it helps keep it covered while its in my underwear otherwise it would hurt rubbing on underwear.

    • Posted

      i was using just a moisturizing cream and started to peal. i havent used somxl yet but its supposed to heal wart/hpv affected skin .

    • Posted

      What was the moisturizing cream? Someone recommended zinc oxide ointment but I have not tried that yet.

      The head of the penis is irritated all the time. That is the primary pain. I don't have a foreskin so it rubs against underwear (as others have noted). So wish I had a foreskin for so many reasons!

      Masturbation doesn't hurt because my hand doesn't push down on the tip of the penis. Intercourse hurts because of the pressure against the tip with each stroke. After sex it is all inflamed and bruised. 😦

      Later on the shaft got red (that comes and goes) and itchy. That made sex difficult too. The itchiness there is mostly gone since I stopped putting any topicals on it. Don't know if that is coincidence or not.

      I'd love the reddit link.

      Looking back on months of pictures it fluctuates so much and hard to find the rhyme or reason.

    • Posted

      i just used a wet moisturizer nothing special at all i changed all my underwear to a super lightweight and soft brief that makes contact more manageable. when it was really bad i put a bandaid on it to prevent rubbing during the day

    • Posted

      hey jjb that reddit link should be up there now as it has been approved if you scroll up.

      it seems we all have different symptoms but the same swollen meatus.

      i do not feel mine at all during the day besides when i urinate it stings from the tip where it is red. the swollen meatus also causes a split slow stream. no itchiness or discomfort besides that really.

      masturbation and sex definately makes it flare up worse though, the meatus will become very red and swollen.

    • Posted

      The pain at the tip has died down although it fluctuates. I am starting the relaxation exercises.

      Ditto on the split stream. Not always but sometimes.

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