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Not usual STD symptoms
Is it possible to have an STD that causes symptoms of discomfort in that penis and groin area, but no visible evidence (no sores, rashes, dripage, puss) and no burning while urinating?
Encounter was oral (both), outercourse, and protected intercourse.
Encounter was oral (both), outercourse, and protected intercourse.
Hi, and thanks for your comments,
My Doc is out until next week and I am traveling, but I can call her next week. The urine test was done on the spot (I urinated in a cup, the doc came in a few minutes later with results), so my assumption is this is the nitrate/leukocyte stick test. Today I did this OTC test: negative for nitrates, mid-range positive for leukocytes.
I did refill the prescription and continue to take them, for lack of a better plan. The symptoms are less than before, but still have the discomfort in the groin area.
There are a few other factors here on the timeline:
* Thought I felt what I called a slight "heaviness feeling" in the groin area a week before ...
* The sexual encounter
* An MRI
* Biopsy
* Somewhere around 40+ days post-encounter the symptoms were bothersome
* 62 days post-encounter, urine stick test "something is going on", started Bactrim
* 73 days post-encounter, OTC urine stick test. Neg Nitrate, Pos Leukocytes
I am assuming this is garden variety UTI, or NGU and not STI. If this were you, would you be confident enough to not get STI tested?
If I were to get STI tested, would the Bactrim produce false-negatives?
My Doc is out until next week and I am traveling, but I can call her next week. The urine test was done on the spot (I urinated in a cup, the doc came in a few minutes later with results), so my assumption is this is the nitrate/leukocyte stick test. Today I did this OTC test: negative for nitrates, mid-range positive for leukocytes.
I did refill the prescription and continue to take them, for lack of a better plan. The symptoms are less than before, but still have the discomfort in the groin area.
There are a few other factors here on the timeline:
* Thought I felt what I called a slight "heaviness feeling" in the groin area a week before ...
* The sexual encounter
* An MRI
* Biopsy
* Somewhere around 40+ days post-encounter the symptoms were bothersome
* 62 days post-encounter, urine stick test "something is going on", started Bactrim
* 73 days post-encounter, OTC urine stick test. Neg Nitrate, Pos Leukocytes
I am assuming this is garden variety UTI, or NGU and not STI. If this were you, would you be confident enough to not get STI tested?
If I were to get STI tested, would the Bactrim produce false-negatives?
20 Comments
Your timeline suggests it is highly unlikely gonorrhea and not likely a STI-related NGU. I would consider prostatitis or maybe some other sort of lower abdomen infection (like bladder infection).
If your exposure was unprotected intercourse I would get tested, no matter what symptoms are.
As for Bactrim question, I find it hard to predict. It is generally advisable to test after being off the antibiotics for at least two weeks.
If your exposure was unprotected intercourse I would get tested, no matter what symptoms are.
As for Bactrim question, I find it hard to predict. It is generally advisable to test after being off the antibiotics for at least two weeks.
Thanks,
The "biopsy" was a prostate biopsy by the way.
I do recall one answer to a post by Dr. H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.: ".... Disccoloration, bumps, itching or pain without sores, etc are not sypmtoms of STD".
The pain is more in the groin. There is occasional slight pain near the tip of the penis which feels more like referred pain (if you've ever experienced passing a kidney stone).
The exposure was unprotected oral (both), some outercourse contact, but protected intercourse.
It's hard to "let go" and just trust the science.
The "biopsy" was a prostate biopsy by the way.
I do recall one answer to a post by Dr. H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.: ".... Disccoloration, bumps, itching or pain without sores, etc are not sypmtoms of STD".
The pain is more in the groin. There is occasional slight pain near the tip of the penis which feels more like referred pain (if you've ever experienced passing a kidney stone).
The exposure was unprotected oral (both), some outercourse contact, but protected intercourse.
It's hard to "let go" and just trust the science.
You've had extensive testing done and they didn't do STD testing?
I also looked at your post history and you had similar symptoms in 2017. Did that ever resolve? How did that resolve? Are you seeing the same doctors?
I also looked at your post history and you had similar symptoms in 2017. Did that ever resolve? How did that resolve? Are you seeing the same doctors?
Hi anuntijessi,
Apologies for the confusion. I was offering the timeline as there are other possible sources of this discomfort.
The MRI and biopsy were because of elevated PSA and at the time, no discomfort symptoms. These were not tests for this groin discomfort issue. The only testing for this issue was a urine stick at the Doc's office.
The 2017 issue was convoluted, and as I remember it resolved quickly enough - I don't remember much more about it than that. But there was no recurrence or anything that suggested it was not resolved.
Apologies for the confusion. I was offering the timeline as there are other possible sources of this discomfort.
The MRI and biopsy were because of elevated PSA and at the time, no discomfort symptoms. These were not tests for this groin discomfort issue. The only testing for this issue was a urine stick at the Doc's office.
The 2017 issue was convoluted, and as I remember it resolved quickly enough - I don't remember much more about it than that. But there was no recurrence or anything that suggested it was not resolved.
Ohh got it. Have they done a PSA again? How elevated was it? I'm assuming the biopsy was negative.
The biopsy did not indicate anything that was an immediate concern. What I'm most concerned with here is the chances of this being some STI, with the Doc being required by law to report it, and they call my Partner. I'm handling that by abstaining sex. If I could get tested that would be something, but current Abx may render false positives.
I think what I'm hearing here is the chance that this is an STI is below is well within reasonable doubt.
Then I may need to call the Doc and see if changing Abx is advisable, rather than continuing on the same Abx. Not sure is calling the Urologist is the better play.
I think what I'm hearing here is the chance that this is an STI is below is well within reasonable doubt.
Then I may need to call the Doc and see if changing Abx is advisable, rather than continuing on the same Abx. Not sure is calling the Urologist is the better play.
Certain STDs are reportable, others aren't - it depends on where you live. You can find out yours by googling something like "reportable STIs Florida" or "reportable STDs New York". If you aren't in the US, you can use your location.
In the US, at least, they can't make you give a partner's name. They can try, but you are under no legal obligation to do so. You can always say it was a one night stand and you don't know the name. You can also say it was out of state, or out of the country and they won't follow that, most likely. Tell them you are separated from your wife - who cares?
Just test and put this behind you. The chances are low, but you need the peace of mind, and medically, it needs to be ruled out.
Go to an STD clinic and self pay or it will be on your insurance. You only had oral sex, so you only need to be tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia and NGU. Those tests are usually run together anyway. Your positive leukocytes could be from NGU.
In the US, at least, they can't make you give a partner's name. They can try, but you are under no legal obligation to do so. You can always say it was a one night stand and you don't know the name. You can also say it was out of state, or out of the country and they won't follow that, most likely. Tell them you are separated from your wife - who cares?
Just test and put this behind you. The chances are low, but you need the peace of mind, and medically, it needs to be ruled out.
Go to an STD clinic and self pay or it will be on your insurance. You only had oral sex, so you only need to be tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia and NGU. Those tests are usually run together anyway. Your positive leukocytes could be from NGU.
I'm not sure I want to take that chance. I do know a way to get tested anonymously, but it's a bit convoluted. Plus testing would be skewed on Abx.
At any rate, my Doc did call in different Abx, Cipro. So I'm hoping for the best.
At any rate, my Doc did call in different Abx, Cipro. So I'm hoping for the best.
Well, you're taking an abx for something that you don't know the cause of, and if this is something like NGU, you're not curing it, and delaying the inevitable.
Your positive leukocytes test already meets the criteria for further testing, or a diagnosis of NGU, depending on how many were found.
https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/urethritis-and-cervicitis.htm
What kind of doc are you seeing? If this is a urologist, he's really missing the boat.
I understand your need for discretion. I also understand that you have a need for better healthcare. I hope the Cipro works.
Your positive leukocytes test already meets the criteria for further testing, or a diagnosis of NGU, depending on how many were found.
https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/urethritis-and-cervicitis.htm
What kind of doc are you seeing? If this is a urologist, he's really missing the boat.
I understand your need for discretion. I also understand that you have a need for better healthcare. I hope the Cipro works.
Yes, this is a bit of pickle here. I had NGU once before and Cipro took care of it (doesn't mean this is the same I know). Best health path is to get a culture done somehow (I'm traveling currently). But if that culture shows an STI, then reporting might happen, even if in my state it is not mandatory (have not determined that).
Urologist wants to do a culture. GP too, but they both are going along with me to try the Cirpo first.
I think that's my only safe choice at present.
Urologist wants to do a culture. GP too, but they both are going along with me to try the Cirpo first.
I think that's my only safe choice at present.
... my only discretionary safe choice that is.
Oohh you travel. Is that common for you? Out of state? Test out of state, once you get all the abx out of your system.
Also, and don't answer this as a question, but if you are above a certain age, they may not report it. Many states only report chlamydia cases in women between 18-24, for example. That's why you need to google for each state. Also, Most won't report a bacterial infection to your state, but would an HIV infection, for example, especially if you test in a busy place like LA, Chicago or NYC.
A culture won't test for STDs, but will rule out other things.
In any case, I hope the Cipro works.
Also, and don't answer this as a question, but if you are above a certain age, they may not report it. Many states only report chlamydia cases in women between 18-24, for example. That's why you need to google for each state. Also, Most won't report a bacterial infection to your state, but would an HIV infection, for example, especially if you test in a busy place like LA, Chicago or NYC.
A culture won't test for STDs, but will rule out other things.
In any case, I hope the Cipro works.
Ok so that's an interesting point - how sure are you about cultures not testing for STD's? So do they just grow it in a dish, then throw different Abx at it to see what kills it, rather than testing to specifically identify what it is?
And would that culture work while on Abx?
And would that culture work while on Abx?
I just checked the laws in the state I live in and am traveling in (same) - Chalam/Gono/Syph/Trich/Chanroid are all reportable.
One thing, you mentioned you got a prostate biopsy. You don't mention when you got it on your "timeline." The reason it's no longer advised that people get routine PSA testing is it leads to unnecessary biopsies which then often cause problems. Now, I have to get PSA tests because of family history, but if you don't need to get it unless the PSA is pretty high you don't necessarily get a biopsy anymore. But if you do, and you did, again, they seldom find anything wrong but often as do all surgeries cause problems. Any chance given where you're feeling the pain it might be from the biopsy?
Oh good point, Pax.
No, a urine culture won't test for STDs. There are specific tests that need to be done to find STD bacteria. It might find different bacteria that is causing urethritis, but it won't find gonorrhea or chlamydia.
The reason why being on abx might affect any bacterial test is that it could slow the growth of a bacteria enough to not find it on a test, even if it doesn't kill it.
No, a urine culture won't test for STDs. There are specific tests that need to be done to find STD bacteria. It might find different bacteria that is causing urethritis, but it won't find gonorrhea or chlamydia.
The reason why being on abx might affect any bacterial test is that it could slow the growth of a bacteria enough to not find it on a test, even if it doesn't kill it.
Not well versed in these areas, I do suspect this has more to do with the biopsy than with the sexual encounter. I think the consensus here (and please weigh in if you think otherwise) is that this is not an STI, given that the pain is more groin yet no visible signs of anything.
So, given that current Abx would likely skew a culture, there isn't much point in doing that at this time, but finish the Abx course and see.
True on the PSA thing - a biopsy isn't the least intrusive thing.
So, given that current Abx would likely skew a culture, there isn't much point in doing that at this time, but finish the Abx course and see.
True on the PSA thing - a biopsy isn't the least intrusive thing.
Yes, I sincerely doubt this is an STI. Given the PSA and the biopsy, I'm far more inclined to go with those causing your symptoms somehow than an STI. Oral sex is a lot lower risk than intercourse.
Thank you. I think I'll go forward with the culture and see what that produces even though it may be inconclusive while Abx. Thank you for your help.
Good luck. :)
Greetings.
Yes, it is possible. It doesn't mean you've got STIs and more probably you haven't.
Since gonorrhea is usually associated with purulent discharge, I wouldn't think gonorrhea but you may consider NGU. It causes milder symptoms with no or very little discharge.
It may also be mycoplasmosis (MG-infection). As with NGU, those are self-limited and go away without treatment.
Or, more likely, it may be a symptom of stress or dehydration.
But if your symptoms bother you or you are afraid you may infect your regular partner, you should test (a urine test or a swab from urethra).
Yes, it is possible. It doesn't mean you've got STIs and more probably you haven't.
Since gonorrhea is usually associated with purulent discharge, I wouldn't think gonorrhea but you may consider NGU. It causes milder symptoms with no or very little discharge.
It may also be mycoplasmosis (MG-infection). As with NGU, those are self-limited and go away without treatment.
Or, more likely, it may be a symptom of stress or dehydration.
But if your symptoms bother you or you are afraid you may infect your regular partner, you should test (a urine test or a swab from urethra).
2 Comments
Thanks for your response grobick,
I did see my Doc, who did an on the spot urine test, said "something is going on there", and prescribed Bactrim, I assume for a suspected UTI.
I would not take a chance infecting my Partner with that either. But I'm obviously concerned that it could be something else. A few years ago I had an NGU, for which I took a different Abx.
With this round of Bactrim almost done, and doesn't seem to be gone yet, I'll refill and see.
Point well taken about anxiety amplifying. Hydration? hmmm will try that too - can't hurt to flush things out.
I did see my Doc, who did an on the spot urine test, said "something is going on there", and prescribed Bactrim, I assume for a suspected UTI.
I would not take a chance infecting my Partner with that either. But I'm obviously concerned that it could be something else. A few years ago I had an NGU, for which I took a different Abx.
With this round of Bactrim almost done, and doesn't seem to be gone yet, I'll refill and see.
Point well taken about anxiety amplifying. Hydration? hmmm will try that too - can't hurt to flush things out.
Don't just refill the abx if the Bactrim doesn't work. Go back to your doctor and find out what's happening before taking more abx that don't work.
And find out what "something is going on there" means - did they find white blood cells, bacteria, blood...?
If an abx doesn't work, there's a reason why. Sometimes, taking another round might help, but sometimes you need a different abx. If you still have the same things on the spot urine test, ask them to send your urine out for culture, and find out what abx you need.
And find out what "something is going on there" means - did they find white blood cells, bacteria, blood...?
If an abx doesn't work, there's a reason why. Sometimes, taking another round might help, but sometimes you need a different abx. If you still have the same things on the spot urine test, ask them to send your urine out for culture, and find out what abx you need.
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