Could this be Fungal or Herpes

[ThanksForAdvice]

I am a male and had unprotected sex once 8 weeks ago and then again 4 weeks ago with a new girlfriend.  We are both in our forties.  Since the second round of sex (4 wks) I have had a burning sensation in my groin, which showed up a day after this 2nd round. My penis actually hurt every time we had sex.  It is more burning than itching with no apparent rash or redness and it resides mainly on my inner upper thighs between my legs and my scrotum - mainly on the right side, and under my scrotum heading back to the verge, but not between the buttocks or anus.  It also burns my lower buttocks close to my scrotum which makes it painful to sit down.  The burning pain also seems to migrate, sometimes more on the left, sometimes right, and sometimes under the scrotum.  It is also very sweaty and hot to the touch.  No visible signs of legions, no red blotches or patches, no visible sores and no crusting, and no discharge in the penis.

I have had what I call this rash / burning for 4.5 straight weeks now.  I used Lotrimin for a week, and it seemed to go away so I stopped using the cream.  After about 4 days of no burning it came back even stronger.  I went to see a doctor and he said it is probably a fungal infection and gave me a one time pill for yeast / fungal infections and some RX anti-fungal medicine.  I started taking that yesterday.  

I have read that Herpes has the same burning / itching symptom and that this could be the only symptom that people have without having bumps, legions, etc.  Could I have had an initial outbreak followed immediately 4 days later by a recurrence. Could this be a possibility?

The only other thing I know is that my girlfriend a contraceptive vaginal ring put in prior to this second round of sex.  Could I have an allergy to this ring.  NOTE, we have not had sex since 4 weeks and I still have this burning.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[ThanksForAdvice]

Dr. Rockoff, thank you for your quick reply.  When you say "This could not be herpes" is it that my symptoms don't resonate with traditional herpes symptoms?  I have read that many people have no symptoms, and perhaps some just a slight burning or itching.  The burning is more than mild, it is rather very painful and there is not redness, so I doubt chafing would be the problem.  Could anxiety cause this kind of pain in the groin?  Sometimes my Scrotum looks red, but I think it is more because of the heat and pain in that area.

I was also diagnosed recently for a major B12 deficiency, and am now taking B12 shots, could this have anything to do with this pain, perhaps as a side effect.  

And my last question would be related allergies to a vaginal contraceptive ring.  My girlfriend had one put in prior to us having sex.  Is it possible that I have had an allergic reaction to this, even though it was over four weeks ago.

Thanks in advance for your help again on these follow up questions,

Regards

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

This could not be herpes.  It sounds nothing like that diagnosis.  In fact, it sounds like no diagnosis at all--just chafing and anxiety.  I suggest you use a mild soap and moisturizer, avoid any medication, and get another opinion from a dermatologist in person if you need it.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff