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Penile pain, burning and itching genitals

I am a 28 year old male. The symptoms I am about to describe began suddenly around August 2005. At first they were chronic; lasting all the time for about 2 weeks, after which I would be symptom free for a month or so. Gradually over time, the period in which I sufferred the symptoms lengthened and the period for which I was symptom free shortnened, to the point where I would say for the last 9 months I have sufferred these symptoms 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

My groin area constantly feels "clammy" and sticky, much like you might feel after a long run. My genitals are constantly itchy in various places on my penis, testicles and pubic area. When I sit down, I experience a burning / prickling feeling in my groin, buttocks and thighs. The feeling is constant but is not generally felt when standing up or lying down. Minimal alleviation from the burning feeling is gained if I sit on a donut shaped cushion, but it does not help much. I also experience sharp stabbing pains in my penis from time to time, which was in fact the very first symptom I felt when this all started happening.

More recently now I do not seem to have the same pressure when urinating and I can't seem to squeeze everything out like I used to. No matter how much I shake afterwards, a little more urine always seems to drip into my pants afterwards.

I saw a urologist very early on in the picture; he performed a cystoscopy and prostatic massage which did not show any abnormal results, however it was likely that when he performed this it was in between times where I was sufferring symptoms. I also took a couple of courses of Ciprofloxacin which did not help at all. I have also been checked, re-checked and cleared on any STDs. I should also mention that there are no visual symptoms; sores or rash etc.

I have seen a neurologist who has tested me to the limits of his field of expertise, including MRI, nerve conduction studies, a lumbar puncture and various blood tests. He was unable to find a neurological reason for my symptoms.

I am now going to seek a second opinion from a urologist given the progression of my symptoms over time. In the mean time, if anyone can relate to these symptoms and offer some kind of advice or guidance that would be much appreciated. I am sufferring from this 24 hours a day 7 days a week and it is destroying my quality of life. The most frustrating thing is that as yet no one has been able to give me a definitive diagnosis of what this is.

Please help
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Avatar universal
Hi

I have had these issues for over 3 months now. I was originally diagnosed with HSV1 back in July 2015. My outbreak seemed to be pretty tame compared to others. It quickly cleared up within the standard 10 day time frame. Since then I've had no further outbreaks and hasn't affected me at all thankfully. Around July/ August I had sex with a new girl.. After a day or so I began to feel a constant burning sensation at the tip of my penis. Followed by discharge and numbness. I have been cleared of all UTI's, water infections, bacteria infections and the standard STI's. I was prescribed medication for all of these but no help whatsoever! I also was put on an intense dose of the antiviral tablets. Since then I have began to research myself as to what it could be.. Postherpetic neuralgia seems to be the one that I am suffering from.. It's a deep burning sensation that never goes unless I'm in a hot bath. I seem to be getting a lot of thigh irritation like a deep itch and can definitely notice a change in my waterworks with finding it difficult to pass urine and have a weak flow. I have the feeling of needing to go to the toilet a lot! I am currently being treated for prostatitis with doxazosin however after a few days of relief it has come back.  Plus I didn't even have my prostate checked.. I am terrified this is going to be my life now.. I am currently away from England so medical expenses are mounting up and I can't enjoy any part of my life anymore! The stigma surrounded by an issue such as this is horrible. I am going to see another private urologist tomorrow and am praying for some other answer than postherpetic neuralgia but even when mentioning it doctors always quickly dismiss it as they seem to know very little. Has anyone had any similar cases and had answers? I can't seem to find people who have this and have suffered with discharge as well as the coldness and the burning sensation. Surely neuralgia cannot cause a physical symptom such as discharge? Please help this feels like a bad dream!



Helpful - 7
Avatar universal
Your symptoms correlate exactly with mine, i've scheduled in appointment with a large clinic in my area of the States, but from what i've read i have very dim expectations.  However, i think we can rule out, based on the specificity of symptoms and their explicit correlation, a diagnosis that chalks this up to a psychosomatic problem of conversion or mental provenance.  I think what we Can agree on is this:

1) its sexually transmitted
2) anti-biotics provide no relief (therefore, it may not be bacterial in nature, though this is not presumed)
3) anti-fungals also seem to have pretty marginal successs based on the anecdotes in this and other forums.
4) if its herpetic it is an entirely novel or undiagnosible strain.
5) It is potentially viral
6) it may to some degree be related to HPV
7) the follicitis in the inner thigh and sciatic region may have something to do with it (and therefore the postules/ blemishes are not folllicitis).  
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
I too am with thing now, very early in it apparently. Your post helps me tremendously , Thank you
Avatar universal
In relation to original comment posted by confused and fairly similar to everyone else. Since the start of the year I've had a very heavy sensation of the testicles and the scrotal skin does not stop moving. You can see the movement of the skin,  looks like worms are wriggling over my testicles, not cool. Can also feel like a wave of tingling come over the testes and a lot of discomfort in the perenium. Especially when I'm sitting it feels like my testes are becoming bruised and I can only sit for short intervals. Can never get entirely comfortable either in boxers or underwear. Have a prickly, clammy sensation on the scrotum and down the legs where the scrotum rubs again, a generally uncomfortable irritable feeling. Feels the best when I wake up but then the movements start soon after. I've been to ample amount of doctors and specialists who all are unable to give me a diagnosis. Very frustrating and uncomfortable. I showed the movement to 2 different urologists who both mentioned the movement is the cremastric reflex muscle and dartos muscle but couldn't provide explanations. Tried antibiotics, creams, pain killers (giving Lyrica a go at the moment, not working yet, 3-4 weeks of use). Negative to infections, been treated from everything from prostate infections to nerve blocks. If anyone has had any luck with treatment or possibly an answer I would be very eager to hear back, thanks.
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Avatar universal
guo
anyone cured?
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Avatar universal
Anyone ever figure out a solution?
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Avatar universal
Hi I began having the same exact symptoms months ago and haven’t had any relief through many tests. I have tested for a lot of different stds and infections with no luck and everything coming back negative. This is really  starting to take its toll on my life, we’re you able to find a solution?
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1 Comments
Have you looked into something fungal like candida?  It could be that type of thing.  Maybe they'd treat for it to see if it could improve.  You are clear of std's and infection so I'd go the route of looking into skin issues.  A dermatologist may be good to see.
Avatar universal
guo
Hi
Have you got tested for Mycoplasma genitalium?
Which I think may not be available in Singapore?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I’m 20 years old and I have been going through the exact thing you you.  I saw around 3 or 4 doctors before being sent to a urologist and they still could only tell me what it wasn’t.  I am in a constant amount of pain 24/7 and it goes from a 2 pain level to a 6 randomly some days.  I can’t run or do anything I used to love doing.  It has been 6 months and I still am not getting better.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
What kind of analysis did they do?
Avatar universal
Guys I'm experiencing this exact same thing. It's been a year and a half now... I'm literally done with this, I can't take it anymore. There's so many suggestions of what this "May be", the doctors tell me it's not an STD. I've always thought it may be a strain of HPV. If anyone has further information please share... I'm extremely depressed and anxious about this. It has ruined my life entirely. Please help.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello again,

This post is an update to two earlier posts directly above.

A few weeks ago I became aware (from the Internet) of medical conditions called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Mastocytosis.  The medical community only become aware of MCAS within about the last ten years, and is still early on the "learning curve" about it.  The incidence of MCAS diagnosed within the general population may become quite significant as more research is done, and more doctors and medical people become familiar with it.  Mastocytosis has been known about for a longer time and apparently is very rare.

I believe it's possible that I may have MCAS.  I put together a list of current and past symptoms that are consistent with this syndrome.  Items one and two on my symptom list are chronic itching and chronic fatigue.

If I have MCAS, I'm lucky; in that many people that  have MCAS have more and different symptoms that are much more severe than mine.  It would also mean that the root cause(s) of the symptoms are of an immune system nature rather than neurological.  The immune system and autoimmune processes can affect multiple body systems, including the nervous system.

Here is a web link about Mastocytosis and MCAS.
https://tmsforacure.org/overview/

Another web link (paper) that might be of interest is:
"Pharmacological treatment options for mast cell activation disease"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4903110/

Some people (perhaps including me, it's too early to tell) can get significant relief from MCAS symptoms with widely available and inexpensive medications; whether they have been "officially" diagnosed with MCAS or not.

One last web link (below) is a listing of mast cell disease treatment and research centers.
https://tmsforacure.org/mast-cell-disease-treatment-research-centers/

Last week I saw an allergy/immunology specialist for the first time.  We agreed that for me, getting an official MCAS diagnosis won't be necessary if the simple medications he prescribed and recommended for me "work."  So far (knock on wood) I believe that they are helping significantly.

If these simple medications work for me, it is because they are addressing the root cause of my symptoms (inhibiting inappropriate and/or excessive release of "mediator" compounds from mast cells).

Best wishes
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This post is not an answer to a particular post or question. It’s a summary of my own experience and treatments for chronic itching and burning sensations, in case the information might be useful.

I had severe chronic itching and burning sensations in my groin and upper inner thigh areas, which built up over roughly 18 months. Medical specialists indicated that it was an unusual form of neuropathy (versus a skin problem or infection). Methods used some months ago to mitigate symptoms, and which incrementally helped, included different clothing, menthol powder, gabapentin, and an “over the counter” (OTC) transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device. (If you ever intend to try a TENS device, follow the safety precautions and instructions that come with it.) Began taking vitamin B-12 and vitamin B complex roughly seven months ago (as sublingual liquids), and had multiple acupuncture treatments. I am diabetic, which may or may not be relevant.

More recently (a few months ago) a doctor had various lab tests done on my blood. He recommended and prescribed intravenous (IV) infusions of magnesium chloride (along with some vitamins), IV infusions of alpha lipoic acid, some other supplemental vitamins, and referred me to a nutritionist to improve my diet. I recorded and graphed symptom levels day by day over time in order to hopefully identify beneficial treatments and events.

For me, it appears that the (multiple) magnesium chloride infusions have been very beneficial. Starting about three weeks after the first magnesium chloride infusion, the symptoms have been slowly and semi-steadily decreasing to much lower levels as of now (roughly three months after first magnesium chloride infusion). The infusions are spaced at least one week apart. Before the start of the infusions, the level of “magnesium RBC” in my blood was within a “reference range”, although it was towards the low end of the range. It’s possible that some or all of the other things recently recommended, prescribed, and tried are also helping, although I don’t see other obvious “causes and effects” besides the apparent very significant beneficial effect of the magnesium chloride infusions.

I plan to ask if OTC pills containing magnesium might be a long term solution to my problem, given that pills would be more convenient and less expensive than infusions.

Best wishes and good luck to all.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
This post is a short addition to the post done on March 5, 2017 (directly above). Regarding taking magnesium compounds as medication, it is apparently rare but possible to get too much magnesium, especially for people with certain risk factors. Consult with your doctor before taking magnesium compounds to be safe. Further information can be easily found by web searching key word phrases "magnesium overdose" and/or "magnesium overdose symptoms."

Best regards to all!
Avatar universal
I share similar symptoms, especially the clammy groin bit. I'll add I must have infected my eye during that fateful first week because it feels like it has a sore. I suspected Herpes as well because there's a "ocular" strain I've read about.

This test has been out for over a year:

https://www.hhmi.org/news/your-viral-infection-history-single-drop-blood

Has anyone here, or, is there someone out there willing to add to the conversation been to a medical office where this test is administered?

And if so, did the results suggest anything out of the ordinary? You know, not necessarily an STD, but contagious or transmittable?

Seems like "scientists" don't exist in the medical field anymore, they all just want to treat you with the latest and greatest drugs and tell you it's all in your head.

Very frustrating..
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Avatar universal
guys try Oxycodone 10/325 it will help you a lot i know a friend who's having the same exact problem in the pelvic area.
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Avatar universal
what do you mean youre immunosuppressed...are you a solid organ transplant recipient?..and has to take immunosuppressive drug regularly for that?
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Avatar universal
Well, I'm here too now, very scared..I guess at about 8 weeks in to this. I have passed it to my wife. Does anyone know the effects longer term on a female, or how they would present symptom? She has warmth at her solar plexus , the size of a hand print, her groin is burning and she says one of her ovaries hurts. I myself happen to be immunosuppressed , so I'm not sure how my body will handle this. My white blood cell count went up, was given augmentin for 2 weeks, the internal warmth seemed to not get worse...but that is all physically, wbc count did lower, but it is rising again. Are any of you still watching this feed?
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1 Comments
Did u ever get this resolved I have the same symptoms?
Avatar universal
Mine started after a car accident after a torn knee meniscus.
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Avatar universal
Hi, everyone. I've been reading all the posts on here and I want to share my experience in the hope that it helps someone if not all of you. I've noticed that everyone on here has very similar symptoms and I can honestly say that I've "been there, done that". My problem began in May of 1998 after I went horseback riding and yeah coincidentally I had had sex with a girl shortly before that which did indeed turn out to be a coincidence. I woke the next morning to a dull burning pain in my groin which in a short period of time turned into a painful, burning crushing pain that involved my entire left leg, entire middle pelvic region, and started to travel into my right leg also. My bladder burned like crazy if the smallest amount of urine collected and I had strange stabbing pain in my penis. I thought I was going insane. I had the clammy,sticky skin in my groin area also. After dealing with doctor after doctor and being told that it was in my head, I finally got so tired that I attempted suicide . Obviously, I am still here and that's why I want to share my story, because I don't want you guys to get to that point. If you have had the standard tests and they are all negative, then I would suggest that you stop worrying about STDs because that only makes your anxiety worse. For those that have been going from doctor to doctor with no luck, I would suggest finding a pain clinic and start there because from what it sounds like you may have RSD which is Reflex Sympathetic Dystropy. That's what it turned out that I have. When I went horseback riding, I managed to somehow smash the pudendal nerve and that set this all in motion. Once you damage a nerve, it's never the same. RSD is debated among doctors with some believing strongly in it and others denying it's real...let me tell you...it's very real. The slightest injury from getting a splinter in your finger down to the worst accident can set it off, and once it happens, a pain clinic is your best friend. I had to have three extensive nerve blocks to get my under control. After the blocks, the burning went away, all the weird symptoms went away. You have these strange symptoms because basically what happens is the nerve signals go crazy and you begin to feel odd sensations in any area that the nerve may transverse. You may feel burning, itching, stabbing or crushing sensations, but they all are aggravating. Here is an article about RSD that I hope will help someone   http://www.webmd.com/brain/reflex-sympathetic-dystrophy-syndrome. I think this may help some people understand what is going on with them and head them in the right direction to feeling better. ..Here's to feeling better...Sincerely, Steve J.
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Avatar universal
Hi taimaishusz, I have to thank you for your post! About 6 months ago the skin on my penis started to become sticky and my penis was sticking to my scrotum. This was quite uncomfortable for me. I'm 59 and I thought it might be one of those things I just have to put up with as I get older. I started searching for answers on the net, and found your post.
Well, I started taking 1000 IU of vitamin d3 daily along with a multivitamin.
After just 24 hours there was an improvement, with less sticking. And now after just 3 days the problem has completely gone! The sticky skin has returned to normal with no more sticking even if I press my penis against my scrotum. What an amazing result! Thank you so so much for your post! You have been a great help. I wonder, could this sticky skin problem be an early warning sign of vitamin d deficiency?
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Avatar universal
That sounds terrible.  I'm really sorry you are going though all of that discomfort.  I can't speak for the pain your thighs, buttocks etc., but when I have had itchy, irritated skin on my penis the only thing that has worked for me is a penis health creme.  It might work for you too.  Check it out.  Good luck with everything man.  
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Avatar universal
I have been dealing with this type of issue or similar that comes and goes for nearly 15 years now. I have been told it is CPPS. Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome. Here is an article. My main concern is the part where it may be a warning of future prostate cancer. Please get annual psa tests if you experience symptoms outlined.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/437745-overview#aw2aab6b2b2aa
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Avatar universal
This forum has a variety of similar symptoms but based on what I've read through this forum it appears that this is a SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED FUNGAL infection of some sort with me! Don't listen to HSV explanations if your symptoms are like mine. I believe this to be true because I got minor relief to this with Nystatin and Triamcinolone Acetone cream (used for fungal infections on the skin).
Clammy, itchy, burning groin and balls like nano worms live on the surface is due to contact, in my case, with vaginal fluids! My girlfriend and I were active for years with no issues. We broke up and we hooked up, with a condom, about two years later and I almost immediately had the symptoms that do not go away! The worst thing is I gave this to another sexual partner that really did not deserve this.
Also, the minor relief I received to the Nystatin and Triamcinolone Acetone cream was due to constant re-infection from the partner who I gave it to. Now I'm really about making sure she and I get better together. This is like a super fungal infection that is still very low on the radar where a diagnosis is concerned. Especially if doctors aren't even looking for it. I will try Diflucan next and see what happens. If anyone else has any suggestions or treatments that actually worked, please advise. :/
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Avatar universal
Is it possible that this is not sexually related at all. I have the exact same symptoms as everyone in this thread and at the time it started I had just finished going through a divorce and had not been sexually active for year's. I've now been suffering with these symptoms for over 3 years now and like everyone else have been through multiple test for sts's and you name it. I have been put on all different kinds of medications with little or no relief whatsoever. I do remember having some abdominal pain prior to having this pain in my groin and thighs and my ball sack sticking to my legs etc and the burning sensation everywhere.  I remember also in the beginning feeling relief in my abdomen like something burst open and the pressure released. Then it almost felt as though really warm water was flowing through my lower abdomen and around my scrotum and even down my thighs like I was peeing my pants but it was beneath my skin. Ever since then it has been like it was acid that flowed through there and it is now eating away at my insides. I'm dying in pain and the doctors have no clue what it could be but I'm almost positive that it isn't sexually related at all. In my case anyway. So if you guys can think of any other symptoms that you may have been having prior to the start of it that might help. I think it was just coincidence that you were having Sex at that time.
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Avatar universal
guys what I believe you are all experiencing is Piriformis syndrome.  I have been dealing with it on and off for the last 5 years.  The piriformis is a small muscle in the Glute that once irritated and inflamed causes all kinds of problems with the nerves in the area.  All I can say is that you need to stretch the area with a physical therapist or on your own, Pilates, Yoga etc.  It is a tough thing to diagnose and get rid of. TD
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Avatar universal
Hi..how are you now..just curious as i have somewhat similar issue, but i think it is more managable and possibly going into remission
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