4 Months of Penile Pain, Irritation, Dribbling, Rash - No STD or Diagnosis. Help!
Posted , 234 users are following.
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
12 likes, 867 replies
junior03056 Guest
Posted
after looking around different threads and forums for months i have noticed the a couple of people have had a biopsy and mentioned it came back with 'lichen planus'.
one guy from iran who has commented on a few threads stating we all have this and we all ignored him, i have just found an old thread where a guy had our symptoms and applied some cream and the skin reacted bad to the cream which then caused the lichen planus to flare up really bad which then a sample was taken and this was confirmed was affecting his penis/skin.
going to look more into this but out of everything this has convinced me the most!
fabian2175 junior03056
Posted
Lichen planus or lichen sclerosus? I am worried...
B11111 Guest
Edited
I had your symptoms for about a decade or more, nobody could tell why. Recently as an experiment I washed it thoroughly with a hand sanitiser gel (fast drying, 73.5% ethanol, NOT hand wash soap) and in the matter of hours! the redness was gone and the next day it looked like never had problem. I did this twice a day and in a few days my painful urination improved a lot. now barely feel any pain. mostly none, which is after all these years of pain is a big thing. I hope this info helps all of u. see images
mike01515 B11111
Edited
can anybody else confirm this?
Steves8012 mike01515
Edited
Hi alcohol content on penis, best avoided.
mike49631 Guest
Edited
I read your post but just glanced over the replies because, you know...
Not sure if someone already came up with definitive answer but I doubt.
I am not a doctor not I want to be one.
Your situation very much sounds like a fungal infection. I am wondering if you were on antibiotics or unusually high amount of stress for you when that happened.
I would stop any synthetic suppliments you are using right now. Just try to load up on foods high in vitamin C. If you feel you need suppliments buy the natural derived not synthetic ones.
As far as treating your skin directly I would find the best 100% tea tree oil you can if organic great if not it will be ok too.
THIS IS IMPORTANT - dilute tea tree oil with either unprocessed olive oil or unrefined coconut oil 1:10 one part tea tree to 10 parts carrier oil in a separate clean container, I use the dark glass ones with droplers. Try to apply the mixed oil to back off your hand to test if you are allergic first. If the test is negative
try to apply the oil to affected I are after about a week when you see some positive results you can start applying it just so it gets a little bit of oil inside just so it covers the area but I would not start dripping it inside.
I hope this method really helps you, I am using this for a long time whenever I have any issues with skin.
Steves8012 mike49631
Posted
What was the condition this helped with?
My issue is still no better so latest cream, Trimovate, has made no noticeable difference sadly. Assuming fungal as pass all tests but is currently quite sore/painful. Not sure if this ties up with a fungal infection or not?
mike49631 Steves8012
Edited
i had a sebaceous gland irritation on the foreskin and also what i assumed a fungal infection that was undiagnosed and not responding to antifungal creams.
Again there's no guarantee that what i recommended you would help but there is no harm in doing that what so ever.
RRA1 Guest
Posted
Hi guys, any recent updates on this? My situation has been baffling and very upsetting to me. About seven weeks ago I noticed A not itchy red sort of rash on the head of my penis, and the meatus opening was red. Overtime since then it has also become inflamed. I'm currently going through a lot of the treatment options that you guys have been through, azithro, doxy, fungal treatments, amitriptyline. As a fun side effect, using a Lotrisone cream caised spots of hypo pigmentation on the penis. Not doing wonders for my mental health. At this point mostly wondering what can alleviate the red and inflamed appearance of the meatus. Been tested for all the STDs and I'm waiting on test for your Rea plasma. At first I was concerned it was herpes, but to the extent of any test can be accurate, this came up negative. I was also treated with a preemptive course of Valtrex at initial onset. I did come up positive for chlamydia when this all first started, but I was treated for that, it has cleared, but the appearance of the meatus is still the same. I haven't had the pain that others have described though. I took flucanazole on two separate occasions at 150 mg each. That hasn't helped yet but now I am trying and anti-yeast cream that my urologist prescribed. Curious to know what the dosage was of the flucanazole that Jorge tried. Any update would be greatly appreciated.
sid27097 RRA1
Posted
Did you ever get any responses to this, even privately? Have you taken the Western Blot herpes test? IgG tests miss a lot of HSV infections no matter how long you wait, especially HSV-1.
jake39738 Guest
Posted
Is this thread still alive, did anybody find a solution to this problem?
sal2020202 Guest
Posted
Hi there,
I deal with very similar symptoms since months, over 5 months now, and my meatus looks like the pics you guys shared. Did you guys solved your symptoms? Please share, thank you!
sal2020202 Guest
Posted
Hi Steven, following the whole thread, my main symptom is the red swollen meatus as the pictures shared by some users, one in particular john which stated he managed to heal with dry needle and pelvic treatments. Is this tried by anybody else? I am having the same discomforts and I don't know anymore what to do. Also STD free and multiple exams all fine. Please help!
Thanks
john64602 Guest
Posted
So ill make it quick. Im having similar signs and symptoms as everyone else. I am 33 and this started right after unprotected sex abt 2 months ago.
one thing i havnt heard you all mention is anything about a "macrogen" urine test. have you all had that completed? im negative for STD's twice now after two seperate test weeks apart. I was positive for 5 bacteria in my urine after the macrogen test at the urologist. I am now down to one bacteria left after 2nd macrogen test and on another course of antibiotics. 875mg of Amoxi-clav twice daily for 10 days. if yall want more information just let me know and ill post.
Anyways things seem to be improving as far as burning when i pee and frequenncy. but not the tip of my penis. plus i wake up like every night 2 hours after gojng to sleep to p**s. I fear this may be another issue aside from the bacteria in my urine. sometimes i get that feeling i need to pee but i can tell i dont. horrible tho. im pretty active and it now chafs when run or walk around. i need to buy like silk underwear or somethjng. maybe just walk around naked since were secluded to the house ritht now....
this is just nuts that this hasnt ever been seen before. i bet if someone who lived in a big city hit up a STD clinic they surely would have seen this before.
Antonio3334 john64602
Posted
Hey John.
welcome to the club as s****y as it is it does get better and your body learns how to deal with it. truly there is no quick fix. A couple of us are trying yeast cleanses. I am on one now and it isn't bad but I also stopped for a couple weeks and i am back on it now.
We can all agree this is probably from sex and some sort of infection we just do not know what. good idea for the Macrogen test i will get one and see how that goes. This is definitely a mystery but all positive comments are welcome.
just curious did you only have sex or did you also get a b*****b. i have a theory this may not be a vaginal sex disease but may be something that is passed orally to the penis
john64602 Antonio3334
Posted
so yes I received a BJ but also unorotected vaginal sex.
wondering if anyone else has noticed any symptoms such as urination frequency & decreased flow rate? mild burning after urination? any abdominal pain? waking up at night to pee a lot?
this is just crazy cause i was perfectly normal and everything was fine until that night. No one can seem to figure this out but obviously we all have an underlining issue. we may not have the same issue but we all have something goin on.
Antonio3334 john64602
Posted
for the first couple weeks i had to pee a lot but i also think it was because of the anxiety. ive been experiencing this since 10/2018.
reason i ask about oral is because the woman i was with in 2018 had strep like symptoms a week after and then my current gf had strep like symptoms two days after giving me oral for the first time. both girls have come clean on any vaginal tests but i wear condom just in case now.
i highly suggest wearing athletic tight fit underwear/boxers. i found that athletic underwear keeps my penis in the same area the whole day and which then has less friction.
there are days where i totally forget about it but hopefully this yeast cleanse will do me some good
john64602 Antonio3334
Posted
that is interesting.... do you ever have any days with no issues? does alcohol or anything seem to make it worse?
ill give the tight underwear a go.
Antonio3334 john64602
Posted
i have not had a full day yet but there are days where my pain is at a 1-2/10 . never tried alcohol to be honest
once this whole covid stuff is over though im gonna see what other options i have for testing too see if something is up. i was living in a rural area and now im in a pretty populated area so hopefully quality of doctor goes up
phil38722 john64602
Posted
so been watching this thread with same symptoms.
been drinking today and symptoms got worse but once the pee got clear like it does when drinking it all calmed down.. bet tomorrow will be hell!! wife dont know mentally distroys me!!
Antonio3334 phil38722
Posted
Hey Man keep your head up, this is just a bump in the road, just find the way to keep it from bothering you and distracting you. DKNY ahtletic underwear has helped me SO Much that I spent 100 dollars to replace my whole set.
When this all started I was drinking everyday and became focused on finding a cure, at the end of the day I hope to find one but you gotta learn to live with it and hopefully one day we can find something for sure that gets rid of it.
There is a guy on this thread who had his symptoms go away for 5 years and comeback and another guy who said he got rid of it and decided to leave this forum after he posted how he did it. When you do try anything give it your 100% and do not let some doctor tell you it is impossible. They do help but with something like this we have to work together.
Realistically to everyone on this forum, I have been having sex with this condition for over a year now and it doesn't get worse, also doesn't get better but lets come out of this positive.
sid27097 Antonio3334
Posted
Have you passed anything on to anyone? No one seems to be able to say whether or not this is contagious.
Antonio3334 sid27097
Posted
I have no evidence of anything passed on. Sex with 2 girls after and they both were tested a month after and the first one 6 months after and no Stds or anything and they were tested for a lot of things even HPV and HSV. i had the western blot test for HSV and was negative.
That being said this is probably something that is active in guys and not girls. But until you have a full answer still practice safe sex unless trying to procreate.
caleb04109 john64602
Posted
yes i also wake up multiple times in the night to urinate, painful urination most of the time, heavily decresed urine flow, takes me probably a few minutes now to finish urinating. other than urinating though i feel no pain as i am not cut and my head doesnt rub on my underwear.
some times though urination is incredibly painful. ive had this for probably 10 years now.
john64602 caleb04109
Posted
Yeah the waking up multiple times a night sucks. I have actually recently made it through the night the past couple night without having to wake up and pee.
10 years???? have you had any test ran? prostate exam, urine? etc...
If you guys havnt seen my post about the "macrogen" urine test, I had that ran on me twice. the first one came back with 5 bacteria in it so went on a 2 wk course of antibiotics and they said it was a UTI but still had symptoms just on a lesser scale. So they did another macrogen test and it came back that I still had just one bacteria left. So finishing up yet another course of abx currently and since I only have one day left I can tell yo now this isnt fully cleared but I will say I am better.
After calling the urologist multiple times and the nurse practitioner they just keep telling me this is normal and that even tho the bacteria is gone the symotoms could persist for longer. Now this will make basically 2 months for me that this has been going on, I mean in what world is it normal for these symtoms to last for this long??? what a joke. I guess Ill be heading back to get yet another macrogen test and see if I have any bacteria left which im sure at that point, more antibiotics. YAY!
If symptoms for any of us on here started within days after a sexual encounter I think its a safe bet to say thats the root cause of it. So at that point is it fungal? bacterial? or viral? or all of the above? Its just gonna take some digging. Also has it spread to the prostate and now caused prostatitis as well as urethritis.
Has anyone noted that the inflamation of the meatus isnt always inflammed? mine comes and goes. It actually looks completely normal, and never shows itself when I am actually at the doc. Which tells me that maybe something is irritating it. now I know that my underwear has been irritating it but I also have pain inside the shaft of my penis (which is normal per the urologist, also the irritated tip of the penis is normal according to the docs if you have a uti). So maybe the bacteria in my urine causes flair ups to happen.. who knows.
caleb04109 john64602
Posted
yes you read that right, roughly 10 years but i believe that we dont all have the same thing. The following forum i have the exact same as that poster. started when i was a teenager, by the time i realised i had to retract my foreskin i had those meatus lips the same as the op on that forum.
i have tried lots of testing but all negative. Only thing that has ever shown was mycoplasm genitalium.
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/is-this-balanitis-i-m-21-had-it-most-of-my-whole-life-no-treatment-has-worked-604272?page=18&utm_source=forum&utm_campaign=comment-notification&utm_medium=email%AppendToUrl%#3701393
Steves8012 caleb04109
Posted
In the same position chaps, making me miserable. One night mistake, oral (but protected). I've had circa 5 tests which all come back negative so doc's think I'm nuts. Had 3 lots of antibiotics now (2x Doxy and 1 lot of Amox) and still no change. So no issues with urination for me but edge of glans of penis has purple marks and 'cracking'. Had a severe case of Epydidymitis the other day so convinced an issue somewhere. Settled down slightly after antibiotics. As you say likely may have different issues