Think I may have chlamydia or Urethritis, need answers

I'm a 20 year old male and have been dating the same girl for over 2 years, we have had unprotected sex 10 times or so, and protected sex a couple dozen times. My girlfriend is also insulin dependant if thats important to this.

About 3-4 months ago my girlfriend was diagnosed with a bladder infection and was treated successfully. About a month later I had much the same symptoms (Urge to urinate, not feeling empty after urinating, and generally being uncomfortable). I had a urine test done and everything came back negative, and by the time the test had came back it was feeling normal again.

I also had the doctor examine something strange on the opening of my penis. Basically it looks swollen, and when hard actually looks kind of rough, red, and iritiated. The doctor said it was 'normal', and I shouldn't worry about it. Now about 1-2 months later, the opening still looks swollen and slightly red, and I sometimes get a small red dot about a cm away from the opening (not raised, doesnt hurt, goes away after a few hours).

I also randomly (once or twice a day maybe twice-three times a week) to get a stinging sensation around my penis that lasts just seconds, and is nothing more than a random discomfort.

Today after I showered it was stinging a bit, so I squeezed the end of my penis, and about a drop of white thick fluid came out, but none has since.

I'm really scared, and I really need to know what's going on. I plan on going to see a doctor soon, but would like to hear what you think first. Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You could have urethritis--gonorrhea is unlikely, but chlamydia or non-chlamydial nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) are possible.  I'm not certain about the red spot near the penile opening, but perhaps the opening to Tyson's gland (which is normal).

Return to your doctor; or, if you're not certain about his/herr expertise in the STD area, go to your local health department STD clinic, where you will get expert care at low cost or free.  It would be a good idea to go to the clinic when you haven't urinated for at least 4 hours; that makes it easier to detect mild urethritis.

Good luck-- HHH, MD

[sm8]

can chlamydia clear up on it's own or do you have to have treatment?  Can you get it any other way besides direct contact?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Sex is the only way a person catches chlamydia or gonorrhea.  Most or all cases eventually clear up on their own, but it can take several months--during which time the infected person is at risk of complications and will transmit to partners.  Nobody with suspected infection should just wait for it to go away; see a health care provider for diagnosis and, if necessary, treatment.

HHH, MD