Protected sex std?

[dj727]

Hello Dr,

I had protected sex with a woman when I was drunk on april 18 at 3am. Since then I have been worrying like crazy over my scrotum. I noticed it was red about a week ago (dont know if thats normal for me) and was feeling awful, I had an abnormal loss of appetite and change in taste, may have started before though. Since I felt so bad that whole week I have been really anxious about this. Today (day 9-10) I had diarrhea and lots of pressure in my stomach. I feel like my legs are tightening up as well, and feel a dull pain from my pelvic area. I notice my scrotum is not so red when I take my boxers off and chill for a while, but I still feel that dull ache. I have been religously taking my body temp, ranges from 98.3 in a.m to a high of 99.5 sometimes, but I have two thermometers, the quick one gives readings different everytime (the only one that ever is above 99) and the slower older one gives me more consistent readings never going above 99. not really fever, can I rule out infection?

Since I used a condom, I don't think I have chlamydia or gon, but I got std panel done on the 23rd, she also tested a other stds in my blood and glucose b12 etc since i felt like ****(I wouldn't have sero converted so quick for hiv and hepc, she tested anyway). Havent got the results, they said a few weeks. I also went to a doctor today at school, I was worried about herpes, he said it looks normal to him, the redness may be from sitting to much due to studying for exams, he said i would definitely know If i had herpes. I have no burning during urination, no redness or bumps blisters on my penis, no itching or tingling.masturbated to see if ejaculation hurt, was ok. If this isn't an std what could it be?  So to summarize, i know have redness on the front of my scrotum  and dull aches from testes and legs and diarrhea, help? should I go to an emergency room or wait for my results? was my gon / chlamydia test done too soon at 5 days post? could anxiety cause these symptoms?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This information does not change my opinion or advice.  The symptoms you describe are not consistent with any known STD.  There are no STDs that cause fatigue, testicular aching, digestive symptoms, or anything else you mention.  However, all these symptoms are highly typical for the physical manifestations of anxiety, depression, etc.  And whenever a person a) acknowledges health-related anxiety, as you did above and b) suspects his or her symptoms might be anxiety/emotion related, usually s/he is correct.  I would advise you frankly discuss these symptoms, in the same way you did here (perhaps including my response) with your primary care provider -- and if s/he agrees with my suspicion about the cause, take it seriously.

In any case, there clearly is no STD problem here, and that is the only topic for this forum. So that will have to end this thread.  Take care.

[dj727]

Hi doctor, Just a follow up question, i have no discharge or itchiness from my penis but I feel kind of a dull ache from my testicles, however I notice that if I am actively engaged in something I don't notice, when i am sitting down. If this were chlamydia / gon, would I have a discharge for sure? Cause from what I have read pain is normally not a symptom, so if this pain were cause by that, I would likely have a discharge or pain while urinating? Also My temperature has been ranging between 98.3 and 99.4 (depending on time of day), which I think is normal, If the infection had spread enough to cause epididmytis (spelling?) would I have more symptoms than just a dull kind of ache? Is achy balls syndrome a legitimate thing that could be causing this (what is that anyway?) also, would I be able to ejaculate properly and painlessly if I had a bacterial infection down there?

I also am noticing a rash developing, like white dots, on my arms, and my uncle noticed it looked like i had wind burn on my neck, lets hope its an allergic reaction and not something that is covered in another forum.......... I always support canadian healthcare, but waiting two weeks to know if I have chlamydia / gon / other tests they ran (non std related) is killing me, I can't tell if I am just causing symptoms with my brain. My fatigue is gone and I have my appetite back, but I just dont feel right digestively either. I am in the states right now, how much would I expect to pay for a test? how long would it take at a hospital to get results you think? God i am never having random sex again (i always thought condoms would keep me form worrying about this ****). If I do have a bacterial std, I am going to lose my **** from worrying about hiv for 4 weeks (at day 12) since that would mean my condom failed me ( i know, wrong forum, ill post again if I want more info on that, I dont mind paying again).

Thanks again dr, you always seem to make anxious idiots like me calm down a bit, but do you think Im still just crazy or is this a real concern?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I agree with your self-analysis.  Good luck.

[dj727]

Thank you dr, I just woke up and don't feel any pain like when I was trying to go to bed, when my mind hasn't been racing all day I feel completely fine. If anything changes I will follow up later. I figure if I had something wrong down there it would probably be much more painful than I was experiencing and wouldn't go away in the morning. I will wait for the results.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

No STD causes redness or irritation of the scrotum, nor do STDs cause the other symptoms you describe.  I agree with the school doctor that it isn't herpes.  Much of what you mention suggests genitally focused anxiety, which could result from your concerns over a sexual exposure you regret.  (And whenever a person suggests his or her own symptoms might be caused by anxiety, usually s/he is correct.)  You could also have jock itch or some other superficial skin infection.  However, it is very unlikely you have any infection you caught from your sex partner.

You do not need to visit an emergency room or see any other health professional at this point.  Wait for your test results -- which probably will be negative -- then if your symptoms continue, keep working with your school doctor to figure things out.  In the meantime, stay mellow.  Whatever is going on, it isn't an STD and almost certainly nothing serious.

Regards--  HHH, MD