Prolonged Glans Discoloration

[worried01]

I am a twenty-six year old male who, two years ago, went in to my doctor to see about an irritation at the tip/urethra of my penis.  He prescribed Clotrimazole.  I took the medication for a couple of weeks and didn't seem to notice any changes in the burning and irritation I was experiencing.  So I continued taking the medication and contacted the doctor's office.  They neglected to inform me that the medication can mimic the symptoms it was treating if used for too long.  However, one of the doctor's aids recommended I apply isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to the area twice daily to clear up any remaining fungal infection.  This caused a pain I can't even begin to describe.  After another two weeks I ceased applying the alcohol to the opening of the urethra.  Shortly thereafter, the pigment of the glans began to lighten.  After a few months I noticed the pink color on the sides of the glans and on the top all but vanish.  Now it appears a yellow-gray color and is void of all it previous pink pigment.

I thought my original color would return over time but such is not the case, two years later.  While erect, the glans only looks more "dead" in color.  The opening of the urethra appears a dark pink to red and stands out in contrast to the opaque head of the penis.  After ejaculation this seems to only intensify.  Further, I have noticed that the urethra no longer closes back up like it used to.  The "lips" to the opening remain open and the urethra appears gaped open at times, especially so after urination or ejaculation.  This causes residual fluids (urine and sperm) to leak out after each act is performed.

The bottom line is that I would like my original pink color to return the glans and the urethra to return to its color and close back up.  I have since been tested twice for any STDs  and have come up negative.  I don't have any further skin irritation other than that which may be attributed to anxiety over thinking about my penile discoloration.

My sex life has become rather shaky and so has my self-esteem as a result of my odd and unattractive looking male sex organ.  This is despite my attempts at reassuring my girlfriend that I don't have any STDs.  Still, the appearance is a turn-off to her and thus, has obvious effects on me.  If there is any advice you can possibly give on returning "things" the way they were it would be IMMENSELY appreciated.

As an afterthought and entirely unrelated, I noticed that several small dark course hairs have been growing on my upper arms and shoulders.  Since I have been out of puberty for quite some time, I was curious as to why I would experience hair growth in new areas now...?

Again, your advice (most importantly with the first issue) would be especially helpful.  Thank you, doctor.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Alcohol can be very irritating, but it doesn't cause permanent color change.  You may have vitiligo, a condition involving loss of pigment, which can affect the penis.  It has no medical significance.  Treatment is difficult but may work (steroid creams, non-steroids like tacrolimus--your dermatologist can amplify.)

Whatever your diagnosis, you may have to come to terms with the way your penis looks, as will your girlfriend.  What you need is definitive diagnosis, and then you can work from there.  I can't see any connection with your hair growth.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[scared227]

I'm a 36 year old black man and I just wanted some advice about the other night. I had sex with my wife and noticed red bumps around the rim of my penis head, immediately afterward. I read some of your suggestions to others about 1% hydrocortisine and used it. They starting going away before the the night was over.  It seems to be healing.I also have a dry patch on my shaft and used it there too, with the same result. I was just wondering is it a rash or is it something else.

One more thing, I have a tingling feeling after I jack-off for a couple of days and then it goes away. I have went to see a physician before and they always take a culture with no STD found. They give me doxcycline to help just in case. I have no discharge or unpleasant smell either. I'm wondering am I damaging myself when I jack-off. There is also no pain when I urinate , just a slight tingling on the pain level of 1 out of 10 scale, just enough to know its not normal. I used to do it all the time since , I was young and never had this problem before, please help.

P. S. My wife and I are monogamas(msp)

scared227

[BrotherWil]

A related discussion, Dry, Scaly and Discoloration after Epididymal Cyst Removal was started.