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STDs (Expert Forum)
Epidydimitis/Itching
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Epidydimitis/Itching
by somethingoranother, Jan 28, 2005 12:00AM
First off, let me say that I went to the doctor at the start of the month and he gave me a prescription for Naproxen, and told me to wear some briefs, and my soreness in my right testicle would cease. He also recommended taking hot baths in the evening. Well, I've done all that and the soreness isn't as bad as it use to be, but it's still there and I have to continue to take Naproxen-sodium or the pain increases and I'm uncomfortable.
Well, for about 4-5 months now, I've had itching that comes and goes every other month or so at the tip of my penis near the opening of my urethra, and its always itching on the right side (this can last week or a day or two). I have no discharge, no burning when urinating--nothing of that nature. My soreness in my right testicle occured a few days before Christmas, it's actually sore just above the testicle and behind it. I mentioned the itching to my doctor when I was examined, and he said this could have been anything. I also told him I had had unsafe sex around 6 months ago, and I had myself tested for HIV when I visited as well, which came out negative. I originally thought I had Chlamydia, but my doctor didn't test me for it, and I suppose disagreed, because he said the soreness with my testicle was probably caused by a strain. I'm think I have some kind of unspecified infection, and may need anti-biotics (I've never taken anti-biotics in my life, as far as I'm aware). I need to get this resolved soon, as it hurts and secondly I'm planning on entering the Armed Services and need to be 100%.
Does anyone have any comments?
Well, for about 4-5 months now, I've had itching that comes and goes every other month or so at the tip of my penis near the opening of my urethra, and its always itching on the right side (this can last week or a day or two). I have no discharge, no burning when urinating--nothing of that nature. My soreness in my right testicle occured a few days before Christmas, it's actually sore just above the testicle and behind it. I mentioned the itching to my doctor when I was examined, and he said this could have been anything. I also told him I had had unsafe sex around 6 months ago, and I had myself tested for HIV when I visited as well, which came out negative. I originally thought I had Chlamydia, but my doctor didn't test me for it, and I suppose disagreed, because he said the soreness with my testicle was probably caused by a strain. I'm think I have some kind of unspecified infection, and may need anti-biotics (I've never taken anti-biotics in my life, as far as I'm aware). I need to get this resolved soon, as it hurts and secondly I'm planning on entering the Armed Services and need to be 100%.
Does anyone have any comments?
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jan 29, 2005 12:00AM
, Jan 29, 2005 12:00AM
You probably don't have epididymitis, which causes severe testicular pain and swelling, often with fever; mild, intermittent testicular pain probably has other causes. (Many doctors call it "strain" out of habit--but I never knew what that was supposed to mean. Lifting a heavy object?? Too much or too vigorous sex?? How do you "strain" the scrotal contents?) More likely it's simply that various parts of the body hurt from time to time, without obvious cause: headache, muscle ache, unexplained mild abdominal pain, joint pain, etc, etc. In the case of an organ that hangs on ligaments that have to support it's weight--like a testicle--running or sports may stretch those ligaments, and maybe that's what some docs mean by "strain". It's also why a provider might recommend jockey shorts rather than boxers. (I don't know about hot baths--definitely a bad idea if you're trying to conceive.)
As to periodic itching or irritation at the meatus (the medical term for the urethral opening), mild urethritis comes to mind, but periodic recurrence is peculiar; and most urethral bacterial infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc) would resolve spontaneously within a few weeks or months.
So herpes comes to mind; the timing is right (every month or two, semi-regular, lasting a few days each time). But herpes would usually also include a visible abnormality, at least redness and usually an overt sore.
Since you're hoping to resolve this soon, I suggest you return to your doc (or go to your local public health STD clinic) and have a urine test for gonorrhea and chlamydia and a blood test for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection. See several other posts in this forum about the proper HSV blood test; some work well, others don't. Or wait until you're in the service. These days military docs are very attuned to STD risks, how to test, etc; they are not likely to have any negative impression of you; and probably will have easy access to the best tests.
In the meantime, this doesn't sound serious. Good luck, and best wishes for success in the military. Thanks in advance for your planned service to the country.
HHH, MD
As to periodic itching or irritation at the meatus (the medical term for the urethral opening), mild urethritis comes to mind, but periodic recurrence is peculiar; and most urethral bacterial infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc) would resolve spontaneously within a few weeks or months.
So herpes comes to mind; the timing is right (every month or two, semi-regular, lasting a few days each time). But herpes would usually also include a visible abnormality, at least redness and usually an overt sore.
Since you're hoping to resolve this soon, I suggest you return to your doc (or go to your local public health STD clinic) and have a urine test for gonorrhea and chlamydia and a blood test for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection. See several other posts in this forum about the proper HSV blood test; some work well, others don't. Or wait until you're in the service. These days military docs are very attuned to STD risks, how to test, etc; they are not likely to have any negative impression of you; and probably will have easy access to the best tests.
In the meantime, this doesn't sound serious. Good luck, and best wishes for success in the military. Thanks in advance for your planned service to the country.
HHH, MD
HHH, MD