Red areas appear on head and shaft of penis during sexual intercourse

[tracy354]

I am in my early 40's and have a serious problem that is holding up several life decisions (marriage, children, etc..) In the late 90's I was diagnosed with GERD and have been taking Prevacid (15 MG every other day) to control it. Otherwise I am very healthy. Several years before this I had entered a relationship I am still involved in which there was never a problem with sex. We have always had unprotected sex as she is latex sensitve. Sometime just before or after starting the Prevacid I began getting red blotches on the head and side of my penis immediately during sex with her. I went to my doctor and he said it appeared to be a reaction to yeast and prescribed diflucan for 14 days and Monostat cream (miconazole 2%). The redness went away but her doctor found no yeast. They did find a few BV cells and the beginnings of endometriosis <sp?> but her ph was fine and her flora and pap were normal. Upon each concurrent time we had sex the redness would re-appear and burn almost immediately as it was happening, I would wash immediately and the burn would stop, I'd treat it with the Monostat and it would go away in several days(3-7). When we obstained, it would not re-appear. On it's own the redness is not painful, but it is ugly and takes some time to heal and is increadibly itchy while doing so. There is no puss, there is no oozing. The only time there is pain is during sex with her and it is excrutiating (when the blotches are present) and the redness bloats and feels (and looks) like a burn. The last time I visited my doctor he told me to try an OTC cortizone cream which after the third day of use burned as much as the sex. Now I can't get rid of the red marks, we never have sex (oral sex from her does the same thing), and I'm being told that I may be allergic to her or having an enzymatiuc reaction to which there is no cure effectively ending the relationship we both desire. I am going to go to a different dermatoligist asap but am losing hope fast and need to get rid of the red marks. I have recently stopped the Prevacid just in case it's exacerbating the issue, no bleach or fabric softener for washing underwear, I switched from jocky's to boxers, I wash (without soap) and pat dry the area every day, am now using J&J baby powder to keep the area constantly dry as the cream stopped working, and I have just finished off my 3rd prescription of diflucan in a year. It's clean, dry, skins flaking terribly, it's still discolored (red when wet), it itches like crazy, and the recurring effects are now showing as visible scars. I was married for 15 years and did not have this problem and have several partners since without this happening. My GP has given up and suggested Herpes Medication to see if it works but I think that's just crazy... Can you offer any help or shed some light on this for me (us)? Thank you very much in advance...

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.

Without seeing the lesion, it would be impossible for me to say what it is.  

It certainly may have an allergic component since the lesions only occur during sex or oral sex.  You have been treated for a fungal infection or dermatitis without any improvement.

There are several considerations - the first would be a second dermatological opinion.  Of course, tests for routine STDs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphillis) should always be done.

If the dermatologist avenue is not revealing, you may want to consider a referral to an allergist or urologist.

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.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[tracy354]

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[sterog86]

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[DDEN]

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