List of symtoms - need clarification

[desperateforaanswer]

Dear Doctor (s)

Twenty nine year old male. Mutual break up with long term girlfriend. As in a long term relationship sex was unprotected.

Whilst broken up for 3 months I had a few protected sexual encounters. Very fleeting unprotected oral with possible fluids on hand.  Back with girlfriend and resumed unprotected sex. Girlfriend swears she did not have sex with anyone else during our breakup and I have no reason not to believe her as she agreed to testing without hesitation.

Since getting back together I have been experiencing symptoms that come and go  like testicle pain, stomach pain, strong smelling urine, frequent urination, occasional chills. My sperm output also seems to have dropped right off which along with the testicle pain frightens me.

I have tested negative for std;s however I filled the cup right up and had likely urinated 40 minuets prior. Not knowing procedure I had drank a lot of water that day. My Girlfriend also test negative on a self administered swab provided by our doctor. She had not urinated for about two hours prior.

The doctor has not treated us due to our negative tests.

Do you have any reason to believe our tests were false negatives due to my symptoms?

Thankyou in advance for any assistance you can provide.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I agree, shorter time intervals do not seem to adversely impact test results although the test directions specify an hour. EWH

[desperateforaanswer]

Hi Doctor

Thank for your kind advice. It could have been anywhere from 40 - 55 mins.
Before writing  my initial questions I have read studies in Scotland and Sydney where they have proven that 20 mins and 30 mins intervals are almost just as good for Naat tests.

I figure even if my result was sullied by incorrect procedure my girlfriends was textbook so not reason to conclude her's would be false negative? For what its worth I did not have abnormal white bloods cells in the urine sample.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I'll start by congratulating you and your GF for opting to get checked when you got back together- a good thing when starting (or re-starting) any sexual relationship.   When getting urine tests for STIs, it is preferred to have not urinated for an hour before being tested and to collect a somewhat smaller amount of urine than you did however even with your briefer interval and larger urine volume your test results are most likely to be accurate. Current urine-based (and self-obtained vaginal swabs for your partner) are among the most sensitive tests for STIs that we have ever had and are not substantially effected by the sorts of minor errors in collection that you mention,  I would believe the results and no worry that they were falsely negative.

As for your symptoms, these are not typical symptoms of any STI.  Testicular discomfort which is intermittent and occurs without an accompanying penile discharge is not at all suggestive of STI, nor are urinary frequency or strong smelling urine or the other symptoms that you have mentioned.

My advice is to not worry and to move forward without worry about STIs.  I see no need for additional testing. EWH