Girlfriend Had PID Penis Pain

[neitzhe]

My girlfriend recently had a hospital visit thanks to a bad urinary infection. While there she was told she "might" have PID and was treated for it. She had also just undergone a colposcopy which might have produced the tenderness that mimicked PID. Both of us have tested negative for Chlamidia and Ghonorea and HIV. She also has jock itch type rash that has been responding to ointment she was prescribed it.
Since discovering she "might" have PID I have had some penis discomfort, a dull ache and occasional stinging enough that it distracts me during the day. For one day I had some intense urinary urgency. We had a few brief unprotected sexual encounters in December but almost always use protection.
I do not have pain during urination and have not had any noticeable discharge. I told my doc about my discomfort and he knows that I worry. He told me it was not worth testing me but gave me a 5 day script for Zithromax to also deal with an ear infection and told me that would cover any prostate infection I might have.  I have not been tested for herpes, syph or tric. Should I be tested for those? Could anxiety be causing my discomfort?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I would guess that this is anxiety.  There is nothing to suggest this is an STD.  EWH

[neitzhe]

Doc my penis discomfort now coincides with a very visible twitching/pulsating of my testicles. Three years ago when I had a health scare this twitching seemed to develop. Could my anxiety be triggering this again or should I be concerned about other diagnoses?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

While herpes can occasionally be mistaken for PID, it is unusual.  Nothing you have said suggests herpes in either of you.  The antibiotics are for non-chlamydial NGU and its female counterparts as well as for chlamydia.  Thus, even with negative tests, it would be a good idea for both of you to be treated as has apparently been the case.   EWH

[neitzhe]

My girlfriend was indeed treated with antibiotics. She was tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea as was I and we were both negative. My symptoms are still present and this is the second day after I finished my prescription. Our tests before her supposed PID were negative for chlamydia and gonnorrhea as well. That is why I am looking for another cause of my discomfort.
I have read herpes can be mistaken for PID in some cases and that is why I am concerned about herpes. Is that true?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If PID was a possiblity for your GF, both she and you should have received the same antibiotics and been asked to abstain from sex until you both finished them.  Not all PID is an STD but in general, it is convention to overtreat rather than take chances.  Virtually any type of discomfort within the penis might be a bacterial STD such as gonorrhea, chlamydia or NGU.  At this time, your doctor is indeed correct that azithromycin is likely to be adequate treatment for least chlamydia or NGU.  Chances that you have herpes or syphilis as the cause of her or your problems is minimal and not worth worrying about.  My suggestions:

1.  I presume your GF has taken some antibiotics, correct?  She should have.
2.  Your symptoms.  While these could well be anxiety, but, if the symptoms are still present while you are on azithromycin, my advice would be to get checked with a urethral swab test or urinalysis

Hope this helps.  EWH