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NGU/Gonorrhea question
Dear Doctors,
Thank you for your help in this forum, it has been very useful for me. I have a situation though that I can't seem to find the answer on this forum. On March 15th I received unprotected oral sex from a female (i'm a male), 4 days later more like 4.5 days later I went to my doctor to get a urinalysis and gonorrhea/chlamydia test. I know my risks are mainly for gonorrhea and NGU. All tests came back negative for gonorrhea/chlamydia and no white blood cells were found in the urinalysis.
Fast forward to 8 days after the exposure I start to feel not a burning (don't really know what that would feel like but I assume I would know if I had it) but more of a constant tingling/numb feeling at the tip of my penis. Sometimes this goes away and sometimes it starts again after I pee, but I never have any discomfort (pain) while urinating. Its more of a constant irritation at the tip only. Also I have not had any discharge. My questions are this..
1. Did I get tested too early for gonorrhea/chlamydia, and NGU (NGU I assume was through the urinalysis looking for white blood cells)?
2. Should I get retested based on these new symptoms or are my tests conclusive?
3. Can NGU be associated with no discharge, or is there always discharge?
5. Is this tingling/irritation a symptom of NGU?
6. The test was done in the evening of the 4th day, I waited an hour almost 2 prior to peeing in the cup. I read that for looking for white blood cells I should have done this test in the morning, is that true?
I think my main concern is NGU and I would just like some reassurance that my tests were done right(timing after exposure and also time test taken), and that this is some other non STD issue as I am getting back with my girlfriend and would like to resume unprotected sex with her as she has tested negative for everything. Thank you for everything.
Thank you for your help in this forum, it has been very useful for me. I have a situation though that I can't seem to find the answer on this forum. On March 15th I received unprotected oral sex from a female (i'm a male), 4 days later more like 4.5 days later I went to my doctor to get a urinalysis and gonorrhea/chlamydia test. I know my risks are mainly for gonorrhea and NGU. All tests came back negative for gonorrhea/chlamydia and no white blood cells were found in the urinalysis.
Fast forward to 8 days after the exposure I start to feel not a burning (don't really know what that would feel like but I assume I would know if I had it) but more of a constant tingling/numb feeling at the tip of my penis. Sometimes this goes away and sometimes it starts again after I pee, but I never have any discomfort (pain) while urinating. Its more of a constant irritation at the tip only. Also I have not had any discharge. My questions are this..
1. Did I get tested too early for gonorrhea/chlamydia, and NGU (NGU I assume was through the urinalysis looking for white blood cells)?
2. Should I get retested based on these new symptoms or are my tests conclusive?
3. Can NGU be associated with no discharge, or is there always discharge?
5. Is this tingling/irritation a symptom of NGU?
6. The test was done in the evening of the 4th day, I waited an hour almost 2 prior to peeing in the cup. I read that for looking for white blood cells I should have done this test in the morning, is that true?
I think my main concern is NGU and I would just like some reassurance that my tests were done right(timing after exposure and also time test taken), and that this is some other non STD issue as I am getting back with my girlfriend and would like to resume unprotected sex with her as she has tested negative for everything. Thank you for everything.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I said no such thing. Read my replies carefully then move on. Any more anxiety driven "yes but" questions will result in immediate deletion of the entire thread.
Doctor,
I am sorry to post this but I just had a quick question regarding testing time windows. I was reading the below post by Dr. Hook and he stated that any time after 3 days is reliable for gonorrhea, NGU and chlamydia. But in my thread you stated above 4.5 days may have been to soon. Just curious why the difference in opinions. I am sorry to re-post but I feel this brings up some confusion for me. Thank you again for the clarification.
Post I was referencing...
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Testing-time-after-exposure/show/1271689
I am sorry to post this but I just had a quick question regarding testing time windows. I was reading the below post by Dr. Hook and he stated that any time after 3 days is reliable for gonorrhea, NGU and chlamydia. But in my thread you stated above 4.5 days may have been to soon. Just curious why the difference in opinions. I am sorry to re-post but I feel this brings up some confusion for me. Thank you again for the clarification.
Post I was referencing...
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Testing-time-after-exposure/show/1271689
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1) Repeated milking of the penis definitely cau cause such symptoms. Had I known, I would have told you lay off. I'm glad to hear it's helping.
2) I'm sure this isn't a new experience for you. Pre-ejaculate fluid is normal during sexual arousal, including nocturnal and early morning erections. That's the logical explanation here.
That should wind up this thread. Thanks for the thanks; I'm glad to have helped.
2) I'm sure this isn't a new experience for you. Pre-ejaculate fluid is normal during sexual arousal, including nocturnal and early morning erections. That's the logical explanation here.
That should wind up this thread. Thanks for the thanks; I'm glad to have helped.
Thank you for the reply.
I stopped squeezing and milking my penis to check for discharge and I feel that has stopped my tender/tingling/painful penis symptoms.....
1. would you agree this would stop these symptoms?
Also last night I awoke each time with an erection and in the morning noticed some discharge on my underwear as well as a little after urinating in the morning couple that with I have yet to see any discharge during the day....
2. is this a good sign I am in the clear for no NGU, or is it possible people only see discharge at night?
Thanks again for everything your advice has helped calm me.
I stopped squeezing and milking my penis to check for discharge and I feel that has stopped my tender/tingling/painful penis symptoms.....
1. would you agree this would stop these symptoms?
Also last night I awoke each time with an erection and in the morning noticed some discharge on my underwear as well as a little after urinating in the morning couple that with I have yet to see any discharge during the day....
2. is this a good sign I am in the clear for no NGU, or is it possible people only see discharge at night?
Thanks again for everything your advice has helped calm me.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Discharge with defecation: see http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Semen-Like-Discharge--STD/show/427617
Any abnormal urethral discharge -- whether gonorrhea, chlamydia, or NGU -- can range from slightly milky to overt pus, but would never be entirely clear.
I suggest you stop checking yourself at all. Suck it up and move on. If you'll read and absorb my initial reply, you'll understand it wouldn't be important even if you did catch NGU. This was a non-event with respect to your health.
Any abnormal urethral discharge -- whether gonorrhea, chlamydia, or NGU -- can range from slightly milky to overt pus, but would never be entirely clear.
I suggest you stop checking yourself at all. Suck it up and move on. If you'll read and absorb my initial reply, you'll understand it wouldn't be important even if you did catch NGU. This was a non-event with respect to your health.
Thank you for the follow up. Today after having a bowel movement I noticed some clear discharge coming out of my penis, maybe 5-10 minutes after the bowel movement. Is this normal? I have read that happens but did not know if its normal for it to happen a little after.
Also what color is NGU discharge, is it clear or more milky color? I am just trying to be aware of any possible symptoms, thanks again.
Also what color is NGU discharge, is it clear or more milky color? I am just trying to be aware of any possible symptoms, thanks again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You're a better judge than I can be about the stain in your undershorts, but semen seems more likely than abnormal discharge from urethritis. Discharge occurs continuously, but scant discharge typically is most noticeable after several hours of not urinating -- and overnight usually is the longest people go without voiding. But there's nothing special about nighttime and discharge. If you don't see any clearly abnormal discharge in the next few days, you can assume you are home free.
Thank you for your reply. I found it interesting that NGU is more so acquired via vaginal sex than by oral sex, I always thought it was mostly oral that caused it.
One question on the discharge, I looked at my shorts from last night and I noticed a little white dried patch on it. I originally freaked out but remembered that I masturbated before going to sleep and I know that sometimes ejaculate/fluid leaks out over night after orgasm...
1. is this true or is this more a sign of NGU now?
2. in relation to the discharge does it happen throughout the day or mainly I should be looking for it in the morning. I have not had anything during today even when milking my penis.
3. If I don't see any for the next couple days can I assume I don't have NGU and that one spot was more from leftover ejaculate?
Thank you for your help and advice.
One question on the discharge, I looked at my shorts from last night and I noticed a little white dried patch on it. I originally freaked out but remembered that I masturbated before going to sleep and I know that sometimes ejaculate/fluid leaks out over night after orgasm...
1. is this true or is this more a sign of NGU now?
2. in relation to the discharge does it happen throughout the day or mainly I should be looking for it in the morning. I have not had anything during today even when milking my penis.
3. If I don't see any for the next couple days can I assume I don't have NGU and that one spot was more from leftover ejaculate?
Thank you for your help and advice.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum and thanks for your question. Thanks for spending some effort looking at similar questions and their replies before asking your own.
First and simplest: for sure you did not catch gonorrhea or chlamydia. The test is highly accurate and 4 days after exposure is plenty of time for a reliable test result. You are correct that chlamydia is rarely if ever transmitted by oral sex, so that wasn't a significant concern from the start.
As for NGU from oral sex, the risk from any single exposure is believed to be very low. Oral acquisition of NGU can seem frequent, since oral sex is so common, but still the large majority of NGU cases occur from vaginal sex. On a statistical probability basis, it is unlikely you have it.
A second important point is that NGU from oral exposure probably is harmless. It is likely that many (most?) such problems are due to entirely normal oral bacteria, not to standard STD organisms; clear up on their own; present no risk of harm to other sex partners; and cause no known complications in infected men.
This presents a good news/bad news scenario: the good news is above (infrequent, probably no harm); the bad news is that it's not a high research priority, so there is limited knowledge about it, making it difficult to answer some of your questions. For example, NGU is typically defined as having discharge; whether it is possible to have orally acquired NGU without symptoms, or with urinary discomfort without discharge, really isn't known.
To your specific questions:
1) Your gonorrhea and chlamydia tests were not too early. Urine white blood cells are not considered an STD test. To the extent WBC can be elevated in urine in NGU, your test may have been too early, since NGU symptoms typically begin 7-15 days after exposure.
2) If your urinary symptoms persist, get rechecked to be maximally safe. But I doubt you have NGU.
3) Unknown; see comments above.
5) Maybe, but probably not without discharge. In my experience, most men with such symptoms have nothing wrong at all, just the result of heightened awareness of minor body sensations due to anxiety over a sexual exposure.
6) The reason for a morning examination is to check things out when the patient hasn't urinated for several hours, like overnight. But if you're not noticing urethral discharge in the morning, it probably makes no difference.
I really wouldn't worry about this if I were you. Were I in your circumstances, I would be continuing unprotected sex with my wife without concern for her health. But if you remain concerned or doubtful, visit an STD expert (e.g. an STD or GUM clinic) early in the day, having not urinated overnight.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
First and simplest: for sure you did not catch gonorrhea or chlamydia. The test is highly accurate and 4 days after exposure is plenty of time for a reliable test result. You are correct that chlamydia is rarely if ever transmitted by oral sex, so that wasn't a significant concern from the start.
As for NGU from oral sex, the risk from any single exposure is believed to be very low. Oral acquisition of NGU can seem frequent, since oral sex is so common, but still the large majority of NGU cases occur from vaginal sex. On a statistical probability basis, it is unlikely you have it.
A second important point is that NGU from oral exposure probably is harmless. It is likely that many (most?) such problems are due to entirely normal oral bacteria, not to standard STD organisms; clear up on their own; present no risk of harm to other sex partners; and cause no known complications in infected men.
This presents a good news/bad news scenario: the good news is above (infrequent, probably no harm); the bad news is that it's not a high research priority, so there is limited knowledge about it, making it difficult to answer some of your questions. For example, NGU is typically defined as having discharge; whether it is possible to have orally acquired NGU without symptoms, or with urinary discomfort without discharge, really isn't known.
To your specific questions:
1) Your gonorrhea and chlamydia tests were not too early. Urine white blood cells are not considered an STD test. To the extent WBC can be elevated in urine in NGU, your test may have been too early, since NGU symptoms typically begin 7-15 days after exposure.
2) If your urinary symptoms persist, get rechecked to be maximally safe. But I doubt you have NGU.
3) Unknown; see comments above.
5) Maybe, but probably not without discharge. In my experience, most men with such symptoms have nothing wrong at all, just the result of heightened awareness of minor body sensations due to anxiety over a sexual exposure.
6) The reason for a morning examination is to check things out when the patient hasn't urinated for several hours, like overnight. But if you're not noticing urethral discharge in the morning, it probably makes no difference.
I really wouldn't worry about this if I were you. Were I in your circumstances, I would be continuing unprotected sex with my wife without concern for her health. But if you remain concerned or doubtful, visit an STD expert (e.g. an STD or GUM clinic) early in the day, having not urinated overnight.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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