Swollen Pelvis, hernia? std?

[helpmeplease9]

Hi, I'm a 26 year old male.  I noticed about a week ago that above my penis, behind the pubic hair, my whole pelvis seems to be mildly swollen and it is like indented in the middle, so both sides look slightly raised and when I push on it, it feels just like fat behind the skin..  I don't know if its from lymph nodes, or if I have a hernia.  Don't lymph nodes feel hard?  I have no idea.  There are very mild shooting pains here and there as well in the pelvic and abdominal region that only cause very little discomfort and only happens once in a great while.  I had unprotected vaginal sex for about a minute with a questionable girl about 2 weeks ago but i have no other symptoms,  bumps, burning or itching.  I also wonder about a hernia because in my work I do a fair amount of heavy lifting and I play a lot of sports.  But would a hernia create a small bulge over the middle and both sides of my pelvis?  I plan on seeing a doc, but I was gonna wait a few weeks until I could get a proper std test.  So basically my questions are:

I am very worried about stds, should I be?  

If it was an std would there be other symptoms besides the swelling?

Also, how can I tell if it is my lymph nodes that are swollen or a hernia or nothing?  

Lastly, can I send you a link to a picture?

Thanks

[30yroldroofer]

i have the same thing, please let me know what it is u find out. i have been to doctors and they keep telling me its a muscle pull, but i dont think so

[helpmeplease9]

Just to clarify, i don't have a lesion, the skin is just a little puffy.  I have read in the std forums that HIV would be extremely unlikely with one short encounter of unprotected vaginal sex, is this right?  Also if the groin nodes were inlarged due to HIV aren't all of the lymph nodes going to be swollen? I looked at pictures online of swollen groin lymph nodes and they seem to be right in the crease of the leg and pelvis, but mine is swollen right above the penis and there are no hard lumps. I am really worried, the wait to get the test is horrifying, i do not have any other symptoms though.  Also I have a big mole right in that area, should I be worried about cancer?  Thanks for taking the time, i appreciate your service and professional opinion.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

It is difficult to give a diagnosis without seeing the lesion in question.

Lymph nodes and inguinal hernias are amongst the possibilities for your description.  I agree with the STD testing.  This can be done with blood tests for HIV and a urethral swab or urine test looking for gonorrhea or chlamydia.  

Penile discharge, fevers, chills, and pain on urination could also be other signs of infection.

Further tests can include imaging studies such as a pelvic CT scan to look for possible nodes or a hernia.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_