Inflammation on Glans and Urethra. Photos. Has anyone had similar experience?

Posted , 10 users are following.

Hx

-Everything started about 6 months ago after having unprotected sex

-2 Weeks after, random rashes started appearing over the glans, but would disappear after couple hours (middle photo)

-Also the skin became dry and flaky

-At the present day, the glans becomes inflamed during an erection (third photo)

-When Flaccid, sometimes it looks normal, but can randomly turn red as well

-The skin integrity has really changed, and unless I apply coconut cream or Vaseline, it becomes very dried out/wrinkled

-Urethra opening is inflamed constantly and becomes more red after ejaculation. Also urinating wasn't painful before, but now after a couple months of inflammation it's starting to burn slightly after voiding

-No fever, pain in testicles or any discharges

image

Tx

-Seen 3 doctors, 1 gave antibiotics and blood test, 1 prescribed lotriderm, 1 said just use Vaseline and it will go away

-Tests negative for chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV

-Took 800mg of Cefixime and 1000mg of Azithromycin (I think this may have slightly helped, as I feel like it was less red for about 2 days)

-Lotriderm for 2 weeks hasn't really made any difference

Possible Dx

Fungal or bacterial infection? bacterial prostatitis? Early onset of lichen sclerosus? Trichomoniasis? Herpes affecting/ damaging nerves? A combination of things?

Thanks for looking, just wondering if maybe anyone has had similar experience?

Also more photos with close ups

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2 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • Edited

    Hi maxpower,

    Thanks for posting your challenging case. Sounds like the doctors have looked at a number of infectious causes and treated you accordingly. Can I ask if you suffer from any chronic skin conditions on other parts of your body, such as eczema, psoriasis or seborrhoeic dermatitis?

    And can I check if you're circumcised? I assume not.

    Thanks,

    Adhari

    • Posted

      Yes I have been diagnosed with very mild papulopustular rosacea by a dermatologist before. It only occurs on my face and breakouts occur very rarely (1 or 2 times a year). Also my mother has eczema on her hands, so maybe these skin conditions are related to what is happening on the glans.

      I have partial circumcision, so only the tip of penis is exposed when flaccid.

      Thanks for the reply and help.

    • Posted

      Hi maxpower,

      Thanks for your medical history. The differential diagnosis of 90% of all penile rashes is covered by the top 5 conditions listed below:

      • Psoriasis
      • Seborrhoeic dermatitis
      • Contact vs irritant dermatitis
      • Eczema/lichen simplex chronicus
      • Lichen sclerosis et atrophicus
      • Lichen planus
      • Reiter syndrome
      • Scabies

      You may want to see a dermatologist if you don't get much further with establishing the ultimate cause of your problem.

      Rgds,

      Adhari

  • Edited

    I've also had a swollen meatus for 12 months. It started after excessive masturbation and oral sex. The pain got so bad in the tip if my penis that I ended up in A&E twice. I had pain in testicles and pretty much everywhere - really distressing. Like you, all tests came back negative although one doctor did say that there are bugs out there that they just don't know about. I was told I have prostatitis. I get stinging when I pee and after ejaculation. I wondered if it could be damage? Apparently, these things can take a long time to heal.

    • Posted

      When did you start getting pain? I don't really have pain, except for slight burning in the urethra and that only started recently.

      Doctors confirmed you have prostatitis? And are you receiving treatment? Apparently its very long with several weeks of antibiotics if it's bacterial?

    • Posted

      Mine started 12 months ago. Severe pain in urethra and testicles. i couldn't walk for 2 weeks. I had five different antibiotics, including a course that lasted 3 months, but none of them worked. The pain has lessened but still very much there. The doctors call it chronic prostatitis

    • Edited

      I think we have different symptoms, since I only have very mild pain at the tip of the urethra (or meatus). Do you have a rash or redness anywhere else on the penis?

      But at least you have a diagnosis. From what I've read prostatitis is very difficult to treat, so just don't give up and continue trying!

      I feel like my issue might be more eczema or dermatitis related.

  • Posted

    In a similar boat. I've had both Prostatitis suggested and non specific balanititis given as reasons.

    Adhari. Question if you don't mind. Given lots suffering from similar symptoms which of those listed would be triggered by a sexual encounter and not picked up in general screening tests?

    I have very similar to the above but have also had a bout of Epididymitis.

    • Posted

      Hi,

      Any of the 3 conditions could be brought on by sexual intercourse: prostatitis, balanitis as well as epididymitis. It would depend on your symptoms and results of specific tests including ultrasound scans, etc.

      Adhari

    • Posted

      Thank you. So like the others on this post all clear. Not had prostate looked at but would Prostatitis impact the glans like the pic's above? Also non specific balanitis must have some sort of underlying cause surely?

    • Posted

      Prostatitis would not affect the glans in any way; balanitis has many causes but when someone mentions 'non-specific balanitis', what they actually mean is, "it's balanitis but I can't figure out what the CAUSE is".

    • Posted

      I spoke with a physician friend of mine today and showed him these photos. He said he did a rotation in an STD clinic before and has seen cases like mine that turned out to be bacterial prostatitis.

      Do you think there's a chance balanitis could be caused by prostatitis in some cases maybe? Also the doctors I've seen haven't suggested prostatitis either.

    • Posted

      I don't think balanitis can be caused by prostatitis- you should ask your doctor friend.

    • Posted

      Hi Adhari

      Firstly im working on the assumption that you're a medical professional of some sort? Apologies if not the case.

      If so what are your thoughts on MG, the symptoms listed seem to fit the bill and its difficult to shift. The original poster mentioned Azith helped which is one of the antibiotics that targets MG although has grown resilient.

    • Posted

      Yes, MG is a possibility. Getting tested might be a challenge as it's not a routine test and I'm not sure where maxpower lives or what healthcare provision he can access.

      Adhari

    • Posted

      I'm in Canada. I think we should be able to do that test. I'll try to see a doctor again this week and get a referral to a dermatologist or urologist, as I feel like they would have more experience with similar cases. Unfortunately there are usually very long wait lists to see these specialists in Canada.

      As Adhari83393 mentioned before, its 90% likely that it's something dermatological. However, one thing that doesn't make sense is why is started now (I'm 29 years old).

      I have had about 5-10 sexual partners/ year since I was 20 and most of these were unprotected encounters. I've also masturbated (excessively and without lubricant) without any skin issues. So if it is only dermatological why didn't I experience anything on the penis sooner.

      Instead, everything started in January 2020 after several sessions of unprotected sex. I had sex with this girl several times in November and December 2019. And then 2 weeks after, the symptoms started. I feel like I should contact her and see if there are any clues?

      Also, I thought I'd post a new update. Before, when the penis was flaccid it would look normal most of the time, and only seem irritated during/after an erection. But for the last couple days, it's been constantly red, except for the tip that's not covered by the foreskin as I have partial circumcision (see pic). The opening of the urethra is still red as well.

      With MG or other bacteria, wouldn't there be discharge from the urethra? And I have none of that.

      image

    • Posted

      As with all these threads could be all have different issues. Mine looks similar to yours but like the original poster i have some pain and have had a episode of Epididymitis. Mine came about after a particular event so convinced its bacterial or viral in nature unless the event triggered an immune response which i think unlikely. I'm now working on a 'likely suspect' basis as all my tests come back negative. MG is rarely tested for and often shows no symptoms so is a possible likely suspect as most standard antibiotics don't shift it due to its make up. Not saying it's definitely this but its certainly in the picture

    • Posted

      Spoke with a doctor who seemed to discount MG, said it would most likely present with other symptoms such as discharge. What did your friend say on the balanitis - prostatitis link Max? Raised this but doc seemed to agree one shouldn't cause the other. Running out of ideas if im honest, hugely frustrating. Doctors discount HPV but internet suggests it can present as a rash, no idea where else to go with this.

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