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
simon71818 Guest
Posted
Does anyone else have their meatus going very wide when they're erect and then very, very wide when they ejaculate? It's freaking me out looks like something from Alien
tom198832 Guest
Posted
hi, I'm having very similar issues at the moment,
did you ever find a solution? i had a rashy appearance which i beleive to be from fiddling around after discovering a mild irritation at the meatus, i think it's all from rubbing it to see why it was irritating me ect and has never healed, the rash has gone but I'm now left with dryness on the meatus which i can only soothe with aveeno moisturizer it almost heals it completely but when i stop using it, the dryness comes back within days , this has been nearly a year now and is getting me down big time.... i will be seeing a dermatologist soon after this lockdown has passed but i am doubtful i will get a cure so to speak
any help appreciated
tom198832 Guest
Posted
hi to all, I'm not sure if anyone still reading these but, how many of you are circumsised and keep checking/fiddling with the area to see how it looks?.... I've been thinking it could be this it could be that, all the while playing around with it seeing what is irritating and what isn't ect and keep seeing it go red again from that i suspect.... so i was prescribed eumovate cream months ago which didn't work but i suspect it was because i was fiddling around during treatment.....
tried canesten, same story.... tried a simple moisturizer which calms the redness way down but again same story.. .
so i rang a pharmacy the other day to see what else i can try, they said try the eumovate and 2%canesten applied at the same time once in the morn and once at night and LEAVE IT ALONE
and only wash it with water, gentle drying ect
(I'm also walking around the house fully naked for a week) after a week of this i will repeat the process with no creams whatsoever...... no masturbation and no sex at all aswell
and see how it goes...... so far i can tell it's looking alot better, before it would bloom up from washing and just now i had a bath but only used water.... no extra redness at all, now i will leave it to air out until bed time then apply my creams
could be balanitis ya'know!! can be caused by fiddling around with the area aswell as perfumed products........
I've read alot of people on here say about urine dribble after urinating...... i can tell you that I've always had that since i was circumsised 6 years ago, infact ive always had it but foreskin would keep it there and not on underwear,
it does irritate with this condition however but that MUST be because of a skin irritation already present..... was never an issue before but as i say WAS ALWAYS THE CASE TO DRIBBLE A BIT AFTER i know a few people who have the same but none of our issues........ please guys try not to stress and just really try every possible remedy, especially during this lockdown it's the perfect time to give the area time to heal,
I'm seeing some results from what I'm doing now so I'm praying it works
i will post an update if it is succesful
tom198832 Guest
Edited
also i had noticed that by fiddling around with it constantly opening the meatus to look, that may of slightly streched it because it became extra easy to open and i could feel it opening against my boxers which wasn't normal.... now I've really been trying to not touch it at all and it definitely seems as though that issue has returned to a normal state........ could be a theory for some of you guys saying about the meatus opening up? as i noticed at that time that mine would slightly open in the bath which wasn't normal for me
but again it's just a theory that may help even one person on here.....anxiety makes us do all this manual manipulation which doesn't help (for me atleast)
i really hope this and my last message helps someone,...... I'm praying it helps me!! lol
simon71818 tom198832
Posted
Hey, yeah I've felt mine open up too and in the bath. I think you're right about leaving it alone!
tom198832 simon71818
Posted
i had used vaseline rosy lips on myself (first thing to hand lol) and it's been since then so I'm guessing the perfumey oils have done damage but only on the most sensitive part which obviously is the meatus and the surrounding area.... just seems impossible to treat but I'm persevering
fredie Guest
Edited
Hi, have the Dr's considered Lichen Sclerosus? Have they checked for urethral stricture? That, can still be present with a good urine flow,but at the same time cause the post dribbling. I have the symptoms you describe and are just about managing but ultimately will need surgery to correct mine. So hanging this out for as long as I can as any op scares the hell out of me.
Freddie 🇬🇧
fabian2175 Guest
Posted
Have had this since a week. I am 31. Basically my meatus looks like a slight s-shaped mouth, due to the swollen and raised edges. It started while masturbating only a few days ago, that the area around the meatus began to turn red, it opened slightly, too. Almost immediately after ejaculation, I started to feel slight pain around the meatus and this area was swollen/inflammed.
Also I have been noticing, that around that area there appear to be veins (?) that are noticeable. They have developed to become more prominent during the last 2 years I think. Showed to my urologist two months ago, he said he couldnt make out anything unusual... It's frustrating. The veins are most prominent when the penis goes back to normal after ejaculation and then become almost invisible again. I mean, it looks like veins but sometimes I am afraid it could be cancer and there is also the possibility of it being lichen sclerosus, although I would say, the symptoms only partly match those of lichen sclerosus. I am afraid though to have a biopsy taken fom that part of my body.
I have been trying to fight the symptoms (slight pain, itchiness of that area) with 0.25% hydrocortisone. Also trying Povidone-iodine cream but honestly I doubt it does have any significant effect. When I apply the hydrocortisone on the respective areas which are swollen the most (basically right at the edge of the opening of the urethra), I feel slight pain rushing to the inside of my penis and slightly towards the testicles. It's worrying because the entire upper 1/5 of my glans looks a little distorted after orgasm due to the slightly raised veins and the severe redness/inflammation of the meatus after ejaculation. It gets better the other day but it does by far not disappear completeley. Hence, I am worried.... It makes it hard to move/walk sometimes because the area is so sensitive.
I would like to throw in some possibilities here: Could it be an allergic reaction to precum (produced by the cowpers glands) prostate fluid / semen? I read of a relatively new dutch medical study recently, that pointed out a possible cause of allergic inflammation and reaction of the patient to his own sperm. Doesn't that sound more like an autoimmune disease, as the body reacts towards his own fluids (which in essence are amino acids)? Weird stuff going on with humanity...:( Any suggestions guys?
junior03056 Guest
Edited
******Test results have come back
so my test results from a specific testing company has come back and are as follows..
Staphylococcus epidermidis 78%
Staphylococcus lugdunensis 20%
Im currently doing some research on what this is but its some form or can cause some form of a UTI.
i will forward my results to my urologist and see what comes of this, they already gave me 5 weeks of Ciprofloxacin which i haven't started yet as i wanted to know what was wrong with me first.
simon71818 Guest
Posted
Wanted to post an update as i've just finished 4 weeks of Cipro.....
So here were my symptoms before & the progress
Pain in meatus - gone except after mastubation, hurts a little for one day and then ok
Painful erections, waking up - gone
Redness on left side of meatus - no change
Pain on urination - no pain
Dribbling on urination - no change
Pain in anus - slight pain but better
Pain & tenderness in testicles - slight pain but better
Lower right abdomen pain - comes back sometimes but generally better
Erectile dysfunction - seems to be much better touch wood (lol)
Meatus going very wide when erect - to be honest I'm just trying not to look too much
Overall it does seem my problem was a prostate one. I'm not 100% at all but it's a big improvement.
Just be careful as Cirpo can affect your tendons and mine have been sore so watch out. It's also made me dizzy with brain fog.
Hope this helps!
junior03056 Guest
Edited
i suggest you get the testing i did in order to be taking correct antibiotics for whichever or if you have a bacterial infection.
i have 5 weeks of cipro but wont be taking as its not common course for what ive been diagnosed with.
if your symptoms have changed it definitely sounds like an infection.
john64602 junior03056
Posted
which specific test are you all taking to find out what you have?
junior03056 Guest
Posted
youll have to private message me as this forum doesnt allow me to share the link but so far myself and some others that have used this company have all tested positive for bad bacteria through their urine test.
john64602 junior03056
Posted
ok so after requesting hard copies of my medical records, the docs had already had this type of test ran and here are the results for you all to review. 5 different strains of bacteria.
im honestly suprised at this , makes no sense to me. but im not a dr.
1.Prevotella bivia 36%, 2.enterococcus faecalis 32%, 3.Ureaplasma parvum 20%, 4.Arococcuss christensenii 6%, 5.Atopobium vaginae 4%.
johnfigs19xx john64602
Posted
what have you tried buddy as far as test wise ?
john64602 johnfigs19xx
Posted
its a urine culture ran by a specific company. i can send you the name on private message as we cant advertise it openly on the forum. the dr has to send it out to a specific company or request it for you. Basically the urine sits and is monitored to see what bacteria is present after a period if a few days. they can also tell if the bateria is a resistant strain and a few other things as well.