experiencing undiagnosed penis pain

[stillconfused33]

Eight months ago I had an unprotected sexual encounter with a woman and within a week or two began experiencing sharp pain and irritation toward the head of my penis.  As time passed, the pain did not subside, though it wasn't as noticeable some days as others.  I tried to put the event out of my mind but the pain was a constant reminder that there must be something wrong.  Still today, 8+ months later, I'm experiencing sharp on and off pain toward the head of the penis as well as inside the penis.  Within the past month, I've had noticeable abdominal and side pain.  I've been tested at STD Express for HIV, syphilis, HEP B and C, herpies I and II, gonorrhea, and chlamydia at 5, 9, 12, and 24 weeks post exposure.  There are so many different kinds of tests available to test for diseases, I want to believe that the tests they use are accurate, but I can only assume they are.  Is anyone familiar with the tests they use and the accuracy of the results they give?  I've also been to three different doctors who had no interest in helping me get to the bottom of what is causing my pain.  I can accept the results of the tests if I can find out what is actually causing this prolonged pain.  Any suggestions of where to turn or what to suggest to a doctor?  I couldn't even get them to run any std tests on me after telling them I'd been tested at std express.  What are the odds that it could be a urinary tract infection or prostatitis?   Just very frustrated and looking for someone to point me in the right direction.

[stillconfused33]

Grace,

I am more confused than ever.  As I have explained, I've been experiencing undiagnosed penis pain for about a year now after a sexual encounter.  I was tested for HSV 1 and HSV 2 at 5, 9, 12, and 22 weeks.  I've been to a urologist who had no suggestions.  I then visited a dermatologist who is stumped as well.  So I once again had STD Test express test me again using Labcorp for HSV 1 and HSV 2 again at 11 months post exposure which came back negative also.  My doctor also ordered HSV 1 and HSV 2 tests which he said were sent to Mayo clinic which came back negative at 11 months post exposure.  He then ordered a Western Blot test for HSV 1 and HSV 2 test from the University of Washington.  The HSV 1 came back positive and HSV 2 came back negative at 11.5 months post exposure.  So do I discount the previous 6 test results that all came back negative for HSV 1 and trust the Western blot being positive or do I trust the Western blot?  

If I really am positive for HSV 1, could this be what is causing the pain where the head and shaft of the penis meet?  

I'm thoroughly confused after the urologist and dermatologist came up empty and now I get a positive Western blot HSV 1 result with the previous 6 HSV 1 and HSV 2 tests all coming back negative.  

[N1723]

HSV-1 would definately not be the diagnosis for the pain you're having. I've experienced identical symptomes for about 3 months now. I've been tested for everything in the books. My health care provider has pretty much given up on me so I'm just accepting that this is now a part of my life. Best of luck to you.

[Helpppplease]

Hi Grace I've been experiencing the same issue. I had unprotected sex with a girl over 4 months ago. I've been tested for every std including herpes and Hep B. The morning after sex I felt a stinging inside the inner tip of my penis. A week later the glans of my penis was red. At one point I had tiny bright red spots on the head of my penis. This was all viewed by a urologist who said it did not look like herpes or any std. I've been to 2 urologists and 1 dermatologist who all have no clue what is causing the problem. I've been treated for Trichomoniasis, gardenella, chlamydia, yeast infection, and gonorrhea. Kind of going crazy cause its painful to walk and stings from time to time. What is the next test I should have done to solve this problem?

[gracefromHHP]

try a dermatologist at this point since everyone else is stumped.

[stillconfused33]

Grace,

I tried your advice and used the cornstarch based body powder for about two weeks and noticed no improvement in the pain and irritation where the head and shaft of the penis meet.  In fact I've actually noticed a bit of redness, almost like small pimples and when you touch the skin in that location, it is very tender and soar.  I went back to the doctor and he said there is nothing he can think of to test for and to try some hydrocortisone.  I asked him if it could be fungal and he said no.  I've used the hydrocortisone twice a day for ten days now with no improvement.  I asked him if I could visit with a urologist and he said there is no reason because I'd already been to one.  However the first urologist I went to informed me that they do not do std testing or treatment and I really had no business being there for anything std related.  Frustrating.....  

So I guess I am asking again today for advice.  There is daily pain and irritation that I feel where the head and shaft of the penis meet, the skin is irritated, and has been for months.  I've never had this irritation until the encounter I had 9 1/2 months ago.  I don't know where to turn to for answers anymore.  Is there anything else I should be tested for?  Would a culture of the red area tell me anything?  

[gracefromHHP]

good that they checked for prostate inflammation too - it's a common cause of symptoms like yours.

at this point, no reason to think this is std related. if the pain continues, follow up regularly with an urologist.

you might also want to try something as simple as using a cornstarch based body powder daily before getting dressed in the genital area too. it helps to soothe irritated skin as well as reduces friction from clothing rubbing.

[stillconfused33]

Yes I did have one doctor who used the finger up the but method.  He made no comment of anything unusual.  What can be checked or concluded with this manual examination?

I also wanted to note that the on and off sharp pains that I feel toward the end of my penis has been very noticeable the last three days, beginning about Sunday.  It is very location specific meaning that when I have these sharp pains, they seem to always be in the same locarion, one on the left side and one on the right side, almost where the shaft and head meet.  It literally feels like a needle pricking the skin or like something pinching the skin.  I've checked and nothing visible to the eye.  

Suggestions?

[gracefromHHP]

checking the prostate with blood testing isn't really helpful for this issue.  That is fairly inaccurate testing that is used mostly for older men for prostate cancer issues, not younger males with potential prostate infections.

manually checking the prostate is when they stick a finger up your butt and feel around.  

[mightyroyals]

If you are in the uk they may of used a blood test to check your prostate. Thats what they did with me as i suffer from a unexplained testicle pain.

[stillconfused33]

Grace,

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post.  

I'm guessing I'd remember if one did.  What is involved with a manual prostate examination?  Is it a test, physically feeling for abnormalities, and what can be determined through a manual prostate examination?  

  

[gracefromHHP]

did any of these doctors manually examine your prostate?

grace