Extreme Groin Pain, swollen lymph nodes in the groin

[uncom33]

I went to the county clinic today and got tested for stds -took the pee test-the kind that they get immediate results from-and it came up clear. So I got the results same visit.

I have been having extreme groin pain and swollen lymph nodes in my groin. I have been having pain in my testicles. The pain is much more pronounced the day after I ejaculate. The more often I ejaculate the longer the pain is. It is also affecting the way I walk a little bit. I am uncomfortable all the time.

I had a vaginal condom-protected encounter with a risky one-night partner in july of last year. About 5 days after that, it became very uncomfortable sitting and I felt itchy. The groin area in general has felt uncomfortable and felt like there is pressure pushing against my pelvis for several months.  I've never had any pronounced burning sensation or discharge. Sometimes it seems uncomfortable to pee but I've never thought peeing was very comfortable. I did get very sick for a week before my one-night encounter-diarhea, throwing up, high-fever. My immune system was probably very low from having fought off the cold/flu virus when I had the risky condom-protected encounter. The past week I have had some diarrhea and blood in my stool but not often. Because of that fact and the diarrhea issue and illness last year-the doctor has scheduled an appointment for me with a gastroenterologist.
1.Do you think this is a good course of action?
2. Do you think I should see a urologist instead?
3. Since my pee sample tested clear-could this groin pain be the result of an untreated std that has cleared up on it's own and has progressed to something worse?
4. If so, what steps can I take to eradicate this? I am in a lot of pain-will this pain be permanent?

[uncom33]

Thank you doctor-

I appreciate your guidance and suggestions-I find comfort in knowing that the extreme discomfort and pain is not an STD destroying my reproductive system.

Thanks for helping me to narrow down the possibilities and suggestions to make to the doctor-I won't bother you with any further questions.

Thanks again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Again, your complaints are in no way suggestive of STD. One possibility that occurs to me is that your symptoms might be a sign of a kidney stone.  You might ask your docotor what he/she thinks of this.  EWH

[uncom33]

Dear Dr. Hook,

Thank you for your responses-

this morning when I got up and went to pee-I experienced extreme hard pain on my left side-which I can only interpret to be the ureter based on analyzing the diagram provided by medhelp. I think that the other persistent pain in my groin must be my bladder.

Would this change your analysis of the situation and do you think I should contact the doctor who saw me and recommended me to a gastroenterologist?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are correct that condoms will also protect against chlamydia, gonorrhea, NGU and trich.

Regarding your groing pain following ejaculation, this really is not a complaint associated with STDs, current or as complications.  I presume such problems might follow some sort of process that scarred the genital tract but again, they really are not the sort of symptoms associated with STD.  If this problem persists, a urologist would be a proper specialist to see.  EWH

[uncom33]

Thank you Dr.

I was more concerned about Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, NGU, or Trich (the last two of which I had never heard of prior to reading up on this forum interestingly enough considering how routinely I've been screened for STIs since I became sexually active).

I wrote to you not out of a type of hypochondriac state (unlike many who post on this board) but because these symptoms are in the pelvic and groin region it makes me worry about my ability to have  satisfying healthy sexual  experiences and eventually have children. If I continue to have pain after ejaculation it will be difficult to continue to enjoy sex and please an undetermined future partner.

Thank you for your comments-it is good to really know that condoms are 100% safe.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Forgive me.  I was typing too fast.  It is most UNLIKELY that you ahve HIV.  

No change in my opinion relating the condom.  When they fail they break wide open, not just "leak a little"

Your illness prior to your encounter would not have made you more vulnerable to HIV

Again, sorry for the typo.  EWH

[uncom33]

Thank you for your response-I do appreciate it.

On question #3-I hope that is a typo and you meant to say "it is most likely you do not have an STD." Otherwise the statement goes against everything else in your response.

On the condom issue-I am pretty sure it won't change your response-but I started using a condom-that was not made in the United States-it was very uncomfortable and too small for me. I inserted that condom vaginally for a few minutes and the experience was too uncomfortable so I withdrew and took off the condom and utilized a condom that I was familiar with and one that I had with me. Could there have been a transmission risk with the poorly constructed condom and then the replacement of a new condom?

My other question would be that having been sick for a week before this encounter-would that have made me more susceptible to contracting an STI due to my lowered immune system?

Thanks so much for your responses-

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Several comments that may be helpful to you.  For starters, condom protected sex is safe sex so, even if your partner was risky, the chances that you got an STD from the exposure you describe is miniscule.  Since then, having had tests for STDs pretty much proves that you did not get an STD from the encounter you are concerned about.  In addition, the symptoms you describe really do not suggest any STD.

Now, on to your symptoms.  Were your swollen lymph nodes noted by the evaluation that you had at the county clinic?  If so, then you should get them checked out.  A gastroenterologist would be fine for this.  

As for your specific questions:
1.  If you are having symptoms, getting them checked out is a good idea.  As I said, a gastroenterologist is a good idea.
2.  No, not at this time
3.  Unlikely.  For all of the reasons mentioned above, it is most likely that you have an STD.
4.  I don't doubt that you are having pain.  I think the key is to commit to working things out with your doctor.  Trial and error may be needed.

Hope this helps. EWH