What's the problem?

[paulie]

About 6 months ago I had unprotected sex with a girl and about 3 weeks later started developing pain while urinating and a constant need to urinate along with a slight discharge, and the skin on my penis seemed red and sore  although I didn't develop any blisters etc. After going to the docters I was diagnosed as having urethritis and given antibiotics for chlamidia etc. The antibiotics initially seemed to work although after about a week the symtoms returned. This has been the story now for about 6 months, with the skin constantly feeling sore and painful especially after having sex, and the urethritis symptoms initially clearing up after taking some antibiotics and then returning although admittedly not as bad as before. I have tried various creams prescribed by my docter for fungus, a moisturiser and also hydrocortisone but they never seem to do anything. The doctors say that I can't possibly still be having symptoms as after the amount of antibiotics I have taken there is no way I can have an infection, but I know that it is not the same as before. Please give some advice for this as I am living in a foreign country and do not speak the language very well, and it is difficult to know who to ask or to understand their responses

[paulie]

Thanks for replying, and maybe I am worrying a bit about it, but the skin really is quite sore and even walking is fairly uncomfortable. It seems worse first thing in the morning, and is a kind of blotchy red on the head and shaft. There is also an area just below the head which seems quite dry and scaly, and if I have sex (protected now of course, and different from the girl who I originally caught the problem) my whole penis is extremely tender and goes a very deep red/purple colour. It never used to do this so as you can imagine I am fairly concerned about it. Also do you think the skin problems are related to the urethritis issue or are they separate? Any advice would be much appreciated as I said before it is quite dificult to find anyone who speaks much English or seems to know what is wrong.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Paulie:

I'm afariad I can't diagnose you on the basis of the information you've given me.  There are 2 possibilities:
1. You have some exotic infection not cured by antibiotics. or
2. You're fine, and worrying about the infection is making your symptoms persist.

Normally, I would advise getting another opinion from a doctor you trust, in order to set your mind at ease.  Under your circumstances, I don't know what to tell you, other than to seek out a reputable English-speaking doctor who specializes in penile or sexual diseases, bring all your records, and straighten it out.

For the record, I don't know of any infections which wouldn't have beed adequately treated by courses of antibiotics.  Of course, that's not my particular area of expertise.  But I'd still predict you'll end up with option #2.

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff