Aa
Unprotected...Very stressed...Please help.
Had unprotected vaginal sex with a friend. Both mid 40s. She - 2 partners in the past 10 yrs, same for me, eastern Canada.
The next day I took 1 gram z-pak 2 days later I took 500mg. A week later I noticed a small amount of cloudy discharge if I squeezed the tip of my penis, never more than a tiny drop. I have circumstances that make it difficult to test, I took 2g of z-pak, and 2g of metronidzl... It's been 6 days since the 2g of Z, 3 days since metronid.
I've checked for discharge the last two mornings and had none, but found some in my underwear after sitting and holding my urine all day.
It seems like I'll occasionally have a drop of discharge (during the day )but it doesn't seem consistent. I have no pain while urinating, but I sometimes notice a weird sensation after. I wouldn't call it pain, I'm unsure if it's psychological.
I am freaking out.
The next day I took 1 gram z-pak 2 days later I took 500mg. A week later I noticed a small amount of cloudy discharge if I squeezed the tip of my penis, never more than a tiny drop. I have circumstances that make it difficult to test, I took 2g of z-pak, and 2g of metronidzl... It's been 6 days since the 2g of Z, 3 days since metronid.
I've checked for discharge the last two mornings and had none, but found some in my underwear after sitting and holding my urine all day.
It seems like I'll occasionally have a drop of discharge (during the day )but it doesn't seem consistent. I have no pain while urinating, but I sometimes notice a weird sensation after. I wouldn't call it pain, I'm unsure if it's psychological.
I am freaking out.
first of all, stop taking all the antibiotics! They will do more harm then good if you dont actually need them in the long term.
Were you at risk? Yes.
Objectively, with the low amount of partners you both had it does minimise the risk, especially if you trust her. When squeezing the penis, fluid will come out and your anxiety will higten the senses to normal feelings, which now feel abnormal. STI discharge is "free flowing" and comes out without pinching the top. All pinching will do is irritate the area.
The changes are low if you have someone but if due to the abx you have taken, you cant test anyway. Though the pack you took should stop the chances of chlamydia.
Wait a couple of weeks and test if you need to. Personally, I wouldnt worry and relax
Were you at risk? Yes.
Objectively, with the low amount of partners you both had it does minimise the risk, especially if you trust her. When squeezing the penis, fluid will come out and your anxiety will higten the senses to normal feelings, which now feel abnormal. STI discharge is "free flowing" and comes out without pinching the top. All pinching will do is irritate the area.
The changes are low if you have someone but if due to the abx you have taken, you cant test anyway. Though the pack you took should stop the chances of chlamydia.
Wait a couple of weeks and test if you need to. Personally, I wouldnt worry and relax
15 Comments
I realize antibiotics weren't smart. Testing is not easily available. My understanding is 2g z-Pak will also likely be highly effective for gono, & most NGU, but not ideal. I read gono would be more unlikely without more obvious symptoms but of course still possible.
The z-pak won't cure gono, probably. Currently, there are a lot of strains that are resistant to it.
However, eastern Canada isn't known for having high STD rates. All of Canada had just 35K cases of gonorrhea in 2021, the last year stats are available.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/chlamydia-gonorrhea-infectious-syphilis-2021-surveillance-data.html
You can see it broken down by province and territories, too.
I don't know why testing is so hard for you, but as Gaz said, you'll have to wait at least 2 weeks after taking the antibiotics. Don't squeeze your penis looking for discharge. That's not actually discharge, and you'll just irritate things.
How did you get a z-pak when you can't actually test? That's interesting, too.
However, eastern Canada isn't known for having high STD rates. All of Canada had just 35K cases of gonorrhea in 2021, the last year stats are available.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/chlamydia-gonorrhea-infectious-syphilis-2021-surveillance-data.html
You can see it broken down by province and territories, too.
I don't know why testing is so hard for you, but as Gaz said, you'll have to wait at least 2 weeks after taking the antibiotics. Don't squeeze your penis looking for discharge. That's not actually discharge, and you'll just irritate things.
How did you get a z-pak when you can't actually test? That's interesting, too.
I had for other reasons that were unused, not expired.. It's not something I can easily explain without providing too much info, it's just not easily accessible for me.
For Gono typically there would be more obvious symptoms 2 - 5 days after exposure as well correct? I know it's possible to have no symptoms. I know az isn't ideal. I read that it was 99% effective for uncomplicated but I know there is resistance.
I wouldn't say I vigorously check but this morning when I check it was a clear drop of discharge. That's the first time I having morning discharge in several days.
I feel foolish and embarrassed over all of this. It is very out of character.
For Gono typically there would be more obvious symptoms 2 - 5 days after exposure as well correct? I know it's possible to have no symptoms. I know az isn't ideal. I read that it was 99% effective for uncomplicated but I know there is resistance.
I wouldn't say I vigorously check but this morning when I check it was a clear drop of discharge. That's the first time I having morning discharge in several days.
I feel foolish and embarrassed over all of this. It is very out of character.
Clear discharge in the morning isn't uncommon in men. That's not a symptom of an STI.
My guess is that you went outside of a relationship, and you're panicking. We see that here often. Remember that guilt doesn't equal risk. While you have some risk here, it's not huge - your age and your partner don't put you in the same category as a 25 yo who had unprotected sex with a stranger they met in a bar in New York City, for example.
Yes, it's likely that you'd have symptoms by now. The fact that you took the az might change that. Either you cured something, or you slowed the growth of something enough to delay symptoms.
If you're in a small Canadian town, I understand why testing might be hard. Can you go a couple of towns over and test in a few weeks? I really think it will be for peace of mind and not for need, but peace of mind can be just as important.
My guess is that you went outside of a relationship, and you're panicking. We see that here often. Remember that guilt doesn't equal risk. While you have some risk here, it's not huge - your age and your partner don't put you in the same category as a 25 yo who had unprotected sex with a stranger they met in a bar in New York City, for example.
Yes, it's likely that you'd have symptoms by now. The fact that you took the az might change that. Either you cured something, or you slowed the growth of something enough to delay symptoms.
If you're in a small Canadian town, I understand why testing might be hard. Can you go a couple of towns over and test in a few weeks? I really think it will be for peace of mind and not for need, but peace of mind can be just as important.
Apologies I realize I wasn't clear on the situation. You are correct. I can't really remember the act but know what occurred. You are also correct on being a small town and that's only part of the issue.
I will try that idea of another town over. My stress over this has been incredibly high, my mental health is not good right now.
I will try that idea of another town over. My stress over this has been incredibly high, my mental health is not good right now.
I understand that you are stressed, but are you hearing anything I'm saying?
Canada had 32K cases of gonorrhea in 2021. Out of 38.7 million people, 35K people had gonorrhea. That means .08% of people had gonorrhea in Canada in 2021. Chances are excellent that your partner - a female in her 40s with 2 partners in 10 years - didn't. It's also less likely for men to get it from women.
You went outside your relationship. That's something you'll have to deal with. Your catastrophic thinking is something else you'll have to deal with, too.
We've seen it all here - small towns, your partner's sister's husband is your doctor and is the only doctor in town, and his wife is the pastor of the church you attend, or is maybe also the pastor. Maybe the receptionist at your doctor's office is your partner. Maybe your partner works at the lab that your doctor uses. I get it. Whatever your reasons are, I get it.
They still don't supercede the facts here - gonorrhea isn't common in Canada. Your partner has had 2 partners in 10 years. She's not what you'd call high risk. Eastern Canada isn't a hot bed of STIs.
If your mental health isn't good, address that however you can. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. Talkspace and BetterHelp are both online therapy sites that are available in Canada.
Canada had 32K cases of gonorrhea in 2021. Out of 38.7 million people, 35K people had gonorrhea. That means .08% of people had gonorrhea in Canada in 2021. Chances are excellent that your partner - a female in her 40s with 2 partners in 10 years - didn't. It's also less likely for men to get it from women.
You went outside your relationship. That's something you'll have to deal with. Your catastrophic thinking is something else you'll have to deal with, too.
We've seen it all here - small towns, your partner's sister's husband is your doctor and is the only doctor in town, and his wife is the pastor of the church you attend, or is maybe also the pastor. Maybe the receptionist at your doctor's office is your partner. Maybe your partner works at the lab that your doctor uses. I get it. Whatever your reasons are, I get it.
They still don't supercede the facts here - gonorrhea isn't common in Canada. Your partner has had 2 partners in 10 years. She's not what you'd call high risk. Eastern Canada isn't a hot bed of STIs.
If your mental health isn't good, address that however you can. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. Talkspace and BetterHelp are both online therapy sites that are available in Canada.
AJ answered it well also :)
Weve seen it all in here and in our professional working lives - not easy to shock us!
also AJ mentioned it's not uncommon in some men. This true, and I was one of them! Guess what made it worse? Stress and anxiety!
Really try to relax, out of all the situations we have seen on here, this really is quite mild. Yes you had a risk but your symptoms would have almost certainly showed by now. Also like AJ said, less than 1% of Canadas population had an STI in 2021. In real terms, in 2021 the population of Canada was 38.25 million people. 0.08% of that is 30,600. That means out of over 38 million people only 30,600 of those had an STI. And think of all the large cities there are as well.
Breath, relax and move on
Weve seen it all in here and in our professional working lives - not easy to shock us!
also AJ mentioned it's not uncommon in some men. This true, and I was one of them! Guess what made it worse? Stress and anxiety!
Really try to relax, out of all the situations we have seen on here, this really is quite mild. Yes you had a risk but your symptoms would have almost certainly showed by now. Also like AJ said, less than 1% of Canadas population had an STI in 2021. In real terms, in 2021 the population of Canada was 38.25 million people. 0.08% of that is 30,600. That means out of over 38 million people only 30,600 of those had an STI. And think of all the large cities there are as well.
Breath, relax and move on
Sorry, yes I am absolutely hearing what you are saying. I had actually checked those stats out.
I really appreciate the replies it has helped. I will take AJs advice and try to get to another location.
Thank you.
I really appreciate the replies it has helped. I will take AJs advice and try to get to another location.
Thank you.
You're welcome. Hang in there and let us know what happens. :)
Just wanted to post a follow up. I really appreciate the responses. I went to a sti clinic in another town,they refused to do anonymous testing (I have reasons that I need that). They only offered to do a swab and look at it under a microscope anonymously. They did the swab, about 20 minutes later the nurse came back and told me there were some signs of infection but they are not able to tell what it is (I'm guessing there were some white blood cells?? She said it could be nothing as well). She treated me with azithromycin and cefixime just in case. She also told me to stop stripping my penis looking for a something.
That was about a month ago. I tried to ease off on checking for discharge. I've noticed it occasionally but certainly not consistently or daily.
I now have 2 swollen inguinal nodes that have become noticeable in the past week (they are painless) I've had a swollen node like this before, I can feel it all the time. I would assume that swollen nodes would show up closer to the time of infection not months later.
Is that a correct assumption? From what I understand if it's an infection they would also likely be tender?
That was about a month ago. I tried to ease off on checking for discharge. I've noticed it occasionally but certainly not consistently or daily.
I now have 2 swollen inguinal nodes that have become noticeable in the past week (they are painless) I've had a swollen node like this before, I can feel it all the time. I would assume that swollen nodes would show up closer to the time of infection not months later.
Is that a correct assumption? From what I understand if it's an infection they would also likely be tender?
Okay, so to be sure I understand. You can't get healthcare using your name, but you can have sex with someone?
I don't know how Canadian healthcare works - maybe they send something to your house? Maybe you are a household name where you live?
So since Nov, you have taken 2500 mgs of azithromycin, 2gm of metronidazole, and I'm assuming another gram of azithromycin and 800 mg of cefixime? Was that all in Nov?
We are terrible at identifying swollen glands on our own bodies. If yours were swollen, they'd likely be painful, at least tender.
Also, it's horrendous and hard to believe that the doctor would tell you that they found something in your swab, and treat you, but not tell you what it is. That's malpractice. If they said it could be nothing, I'm guessing they found a few white blood cells, which didn't really need to be treated.
This is becoming obsessive. All your antibiotics would have long cured anything. If it hasn't, and you have anything, it's something like non-bacterial prostatitis and it has nothing to do with your encounter.
Have you stopped squeezing/stripping your penis for discharge?
This sounds a lot like guilt/anxiety to me.
I don't know how Canadian healthcare works - maybe they send something to your house? Maybe you are a household name where you live?
So since Nov, you have taken 2500 mgs of azithromycin, 2gm of metronidazole, and I'm assuming another gram of azithromycin and 800 mg of cefixime? Was that all in Nov?
We are terrible at identifying swollen glands on our own bodies. If yours were swollen, they'd likely be painful, at least tender.
Also, it's horrendous and hard to believe that the doctor would tell you that they found something in your swab, and treat you, but not tell you what it is. That's malpractice. If they said it could be nothing, I'm guessing they found a few white blood cells, which didn't really need to be treated.
This is becoming obsessive. All your antibiotics would have long cured anything. If it hasn't, and you have anything, it's something like non-bacterial prostatitis and it has nothing to do with your encounter.
Have you stopped squeezing/stripping your penis for discharge?
This sounds a lot like guilt/anxiety to me.
Hi, thanks for replying. Where I live they used to allow anonymous testing. They have changed that rule. I just didn't want the info on health records for specific reasons because of where I live etc.
All antibiotics were over the course of about 2 weeks.
It was a swab that was done and looked at within 15 minutes. So no culture.
I have stopped squeezing/looking for the most part. Once in awhile I check but it's not daily or even weekly.
All antibiotics were over the course of about 2 weeks.
It was a swab that was done and looked at within 15 minutes. So no culture.
I have stopped squeezing/looking for the most part. Once in awhile I check but it's not daily or even weekly.
A lot of places in the US have stopped the anon testing, too. I don't totally understand it. I'll spare you my rant. :)
An STD discharge would definitely be consistent. You'd notice it all the time.
Swollen lymph nodes would be tender.
I think you're okay, with the exception of some lingering anxiety.
An STD discharge would definitely be consistent. You'd notice it all the time.
Swollen lymph nodes would be tender.
I think you're okay, with the exception of some lingering anxiety.
Thanks Auntiejessie. Your replies are very helpful. I'm clearly anxious person and ended up in a situation I did not expect.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
You should really consider therapy. BetterHelp and TalkSpace are both in Canada, and offer online therapy, and you can self-pay so it won't go on any records.
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