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Possible STD?
Doctors,
Thanks in advance for answering my question. I have an ongoing concern about a small bump that forms right on the tip of my penis at the opening. This small bump, no bigger than a pinhole, seems to come and go every few weeks to months. At first I thought it might be an STD, like herpes, but there is no cluster of bumps. Its small, always in the same exact spot, and lasts merely a few days. I am an avid runner, averaging 20 miles per week, and it seems as though I notice these bumps right after I complete a long run. However, they do not come after every run, but definitely notice them more frequently after a run. Currently I have one of these tiny bumps on my tip, although it is almost gone now. I noticed it Tuesday while in the gym shower right after a run. It was bleeding alittle and very inflamed. I do not remember seeing it prior to the shower. I have been putting Lanacane on it and it is has now turned into what looks like a tiny white head and mostly faded. I have no other bumps, irritations, or symptoms anywhere on my penis. Could this be from the friction of running, without proper support, or an STD?
Thanks in advance for answering my question. I have an ongoing concern about a small bump that forms right on the tip of my penis at the opening. This small bump, no bigger than a pinhole, seems to come and go every few weeks to months. At first I thought it might be an STD, like herpes, but there is no cluster of bumps. Its small, always in the same exact spot, and lasts merely a few days. I am an avid runner, averaging 20 miles per week, and it seems as though I notice these bumps right after I complete a long run. However, they do not come after every run, but definitely notice them more frequently after a run. Currently I have one of these tiny bumps on my tip, although it is almost gone now. I noticed it Tuesday while in the gym shower right after a run. It was bleeding alittle and very inflamed. I do not remember seeing it prior to the shower. I have been putting Lanacane on it and it is has now turned into what looks like a tiny white head and mostly faded. I have no other bumps, irritations, or symptoms anywhere on my penis. Could this be from the friction of running, without proper support, or an STD?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The NAATs for chlamydia are highly reliable, so your test result was valid. People can carry chlamydia for at least several months, perhaps a couple of years. A distant past infection is more likely than the possibility you acquired the infection by oral sex.
Your doctor is entirely right about oral sex and STD/HIV risk and I agree you do not need any further testing on account of that event. However, since you probably had the chlamydial infection from some past exposure, it is conceivable you are carrying other infections as well. If you have not recently had blood tests for syphilis or HIV, do it now. Better safe than sorry. No other testing is recommended.
Your doctor is entirely right about oral sex and STD/HIV risk and I agree you do not need any further testing on account of that event. However, since you probably had the chlamydial infection from some past exposure, it is conceivable you are carrying other infections as well. If you have not recently had blood tests for syphilis or HIV, do it now. Better safe than sorry. No other testing is recommended.
Hey Doc,
Just wanted to reply that the test given was a Chlamydia/GC Amplification (Chlamydia trachomatis, NAA. The results of course being Positive/Abnormal. My doctor ordered 1 gram (in a one time dose of two 500mg tablets) of Azithromycin. The only possible exposure I can think of was unprotected oral sex. Before giving me oral the guy did brush his teeth and we made out some, however I still would think this would not be a risk. My doctor does not even recommend further HIV testing (given my std panel was within the window period), as he says receiving oral, under any circumstance (brushing teeth) is zero risk for most stds and definitely HIV. Do you think he is correct or should I do further testing? If you agree with him I am putting this all behind me.
Just wanted to reply that the test given was a Chlamydia/GC Amplification (Chlamydia trachomatis, NAA. The results of course being Positive/Abnormal. My doctor ordered 1 gram (in a one time dose of two 500mg tablets) of Azithromycin. The only possible exposure I can think of was unprotected oral sex. Before giving me oral the guy did brush his teeth and we made out some, however I still would think this would not be a risk. My doctor does not even recommend further HIV testing (given my std panel was within the window period), as he says receiving oral, under any circumstance (brushing teeth) is zero risk for most stds and definitely HIV. Do you think he is correct or should I do further testing? If you agree with him I am putting this all behind me.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back. It would be interesting to know exactly what chlamydia test was done.
Some are more likely than others to give falsely positive results -- and if it was a blood test, it was meaningless. In any case, it is unlikely you acquired chlamydia by oral sex. If you really were infected, it goes back to some past vaginal or anal sex exposure.
Your doctor is correct that treatment may be the simplest option at this point; certainly it is the cheapest. It depends on whether your curiosity would be best satisfied by repeat testing.
PMost treatments are so effective that most experts do not recommend test-of-cure. If you do it, I recommend waiting several weeks. An early test after treatment (within 3 weeks) for sure will be negative; but sometimes repeat testing 2-3 months later picks up a persistent or recurrent infection.
I'll be interested to learn exactly what kind of chlamydia test was done in your "STD panel".
Some are more likely than others to give falsely positive results -- and if it was a blood test, it was meaningless. In any case, it is unlikely you acquired chlamydia by oral sex. If you really were infected, it goes back to some past vaginal or anal sex exposure.
Your doctor is correct that treatment may be the simplest option at this point; certainly it is the cheapest. It depends on whether your curiosity would be best satisfied by repeat testing.
PMost treatments are so effective that most experts do not recommend test-of-cure. If you do it, I recommend waiting several weeks. An early test after treatment (within 3 weeks) for sure will be negative; but sometimes repeat testing 2-3 months later picks up a persistent or recurrent infection.
I'll be interested to learn exactly what kind of chlamydia test was done in your "STD panel".
If its still possible I'd like to ask a quick follow up question on my incident. I recently did a full STD panel with most everything (including Herpes 1 and 2) coming back negative. However, my Chlamydia result was positive. My only recent exposures have been oral sex and I have none of the traditional symptoms. Could this have been in my system a few years now (haven't had penetrative sex in several years) without symptoms? My doctor just said he would give me the antibiotics without retest as the treatment is rather simple and the disease itself is nothing to worry over. He indicated a retest after the treatment would be necessary to ensure everything cleared up. Thanks again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm puzzled that you have "a tiny white head" that the urologist could not see. But this may be consistent with a Tyson gland. In any case, herpes is not likely to recur in exactly the same spot repeatedly. But if you remain concerned about it, you can always have a blood test to determine whether or not you are infected with HSV-1 and/or HSV-2.
That will be all for this thread. I won't have any further comments or advice.
That will be all for this thread. I won't have any further comments or advice.
One last addition, I apologize if I am disturbing you and this will be the last time. There is a tiny white head developing there now but it seems to be healing and I suspect will be healed by this weekend. So, being irritated for maybe 5 days total. Thanks.
Dr. Handsfield,
Your replies have been most helpful and I appreciate your second assessment. I just thought of one quick point to mention and not sure how relevant it is. I did go see a Urologist about a urine dribbling issue and briefly mentioned this problem. It has been ongoing for quite sometime now. There wasn't any irritation or sore, so she was unable to examine it, however she did mention that my urethra opening was a bit small and this could contribute. Regardless, I'd like to ask a final question if I may. If it was related to Herpes (although I am confident you are correct that it is not given the correlation between running and occurrences), would a Herpes legion be localized to a small single legion in the same spot without any other legions forming anywhere else? From the first time I remember this happening, till now, I cannot think of any other area it has happened. Only this one spot over the opening.Thanks once again for all your help.
Your replies have been most helpful and I appreciate your second assessment. I just thought of one quick point to mention and not sure how relevant it is. I did go see a Urologist about a urine dribbling issue and briefly mentioned this problem. It has been ongoing for quite sometime now. There wasn't any irritation or sore, so she was unable to examine it, however she did mention that my urethra opening was a bit small and this could contribute. Regardless, I'd like to ask a final question if I may. If it was related to Herpes (although I am confident you are correct that it is not given the correlation between running and occurrences), would a Herpes legion be localized to a small single legion in the same spot without any other legions forming anywhere else? From the first time I remember this happening, till now, I cannot think of any other area it has happened. Only this one spot over the opening.Thanks once again for all your help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Tyson's glands are very near the urethra, on the underside -- i.e. also near the frenulum.
In any case, this does not change my main opinion (not an STD) and advice (professional evaluation). Whether or not this is related to Tyson's gland(s), the association of your symptoms with exercise strongly suggests physical irritation. No STD symptoms are triggered by trauma or friction. But I can't say with certainty whether or not you might have recurrnet herpes, for example.
I really can't go further than this. As with all unexplained symptoms, professional evaluation is the way to sort out the likely causes and treatment.
In any case, this does not change my main opinion (not an STD) and advice (professional evaluation). Whether or not this is related to Tyson's gland(s), the association of your symptoms with exercise strongly suggests physical irritation. No STD symptoms are triggered by trauma or friction. But I can't say with certainty whether or not you might have recurrnet herpes, for example.
I really can't go further than this. As with all unexplained symptoms, professional evaluation is the way to sort out the likely causes and treatment.
Doctor Handsfield,
Thanks for the information, but I have one last question. I might be terribly wrong, but I thought the Tyson's glands were more around the frenulum. The irritation I am experiencing is actually at the meatus. There is redness, inflammation and irritation right at the inside of the meatus and then at the outer opening, but always in the same spot on the right side. Thats why the worry of an STD came about because its situated right there at the opening (almost over it when you look at it, but actually on the right side.) Does this change your assessment? Thanks again.
Thanks for the information, but I have one last question. I might be terribly wrong, but I thought the Tyson's glands were more around the frenulum. The irritation I am experiencing is actually at the meatus. There is redness, inflammation and irritation right at the inside of the meatus and then at the outer opening, but always in the same spot on the right side. Thats why the worry of an STD came about because its situated right there at the opening (almost over it when you look at it, but actually on the right side.) Does this change your assessment? Thanks again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
This can't be any STD. As a guess, it is one of your normal Tyson's glands. We all have them, just somewhat prominent sweat or sebaceous (skin oil) glands. Typically there are 1-3 of them on each side of the urethral opening. They are more prominent in some men than others; most men never notice them. Prominent ones can be irritated by clothing, especially after athletics.
If you remain concerned, show the problem to a doctor or clinic. But I'm not sure even that is necessary, especially if my description of Tyson's glands seems to fit. In any case, this doesn't sous at all like herpes, warts, or any other STD.
Regards-- HHH, MD
This can't be any STD. As a guess, it is one of your normal Tyson's glands. We all have them, just somewhat prominent sweat or sebaceous (skin oil) glands. Typically there are 1-3 of them on each side of the urethral opening. They are more prominent in some men than others; most men never notice them. Prominent ones can be irritated by clothing, especially after athletics.
If you remain concerned, show the problem to a doctor or clinic. But I'm not sure even that is necessary, especially if my description of Tyson's glands seems to fit. In any case, this doesn't sous at all like herpes, warts, or any other STD.
Regards-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
