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Epididymitis + possible STD after 9 months?
Hi Dr Handsfield/Dr Hook,
First of all, I just wanted to say the services you provide here are great and much appreciated.
My situation is this:
Over the last week, I have experienced some dull to mild pain in my right testicle, namely the epididymis. I noticed it last Saturday after playing hockey for the first time in a few months. I had strained my groin and later on in the day noticed a dull sensation in my right testicle and after feeling around, noticed it was my epididymis that was that was the cause. Over the next few days, the pain became more noticeable and my lower back started to ache as well, so I went to see my father who is a chiropractor. He adjusted me and almost instantly my testicle pain subsided, however, the swelling in my epididymis did not. A week later the swelling of the epididymal head is still swollen, but my testicle is not (and wasn't at all). I don't have pain radiating from the testicle, just tenderness to touch the epididymis.
My concern is that this results from an unprotected oral session I had nearly 9 months ago, from which I have not had any symptoms of any STD over that period (i.e. no discharge, no burning urination, etc). The person who performed it on me was a well-reviewed CSW who assured me she is clean (she goes to her doctor once a month for testing a check ups and said "this is my life, too...I don't want any diseases either).
Last week, when I started reading up on Epididymitis, I started to get scared as most websites mentioned the cause to be chlamydia and/or gonorrhea in men of my age group (I'm 30). After reading that a burning sensation while urinating is a symptom, the next day I noticed my bladder start to slightly burn after peeing. It doesn't hurt to urinate, just a bladder sensation afterwards. I have not had any discharge either. So should I be worried about this? I'm afraid to go to the doctors and be told I have chlam/gon as I'm married (will never stray again). I ask for your help and thank you.
First of all, I just wanted to say the services you provide here are great and much appreciated.
My situation is this:
Over the last week, I have experienced some dull to mild pain in my right testicle, namely the epididymis. I noticed it last Saturday after playing hockey for the first time in a few months. I had strained my groin and later on in the day noticed a dull sensation in my right testicle and after feeling around, noticed it was my epididymis that was that was the cause. Over the next few days, the pain became more noticeable and my lower back started to ache as well, so I went to see my father who is a chiropractor. He adjusted me and almost instantly my testicle pain subsided, however, the swelling in my epididymis did not. A week later the swelling of the epididymal head is still swollen, but my testicle is not (and wasn't at all). I don't have pain radiating from the testicle, just tenderness to touch the epididymis.
My concern is that this results from an unprotected oral session I had nearly 9 months ago, from which I have not had any symptoms of any STD over that period (i.e. no discharge, no burning urination, etc). The person who performed it on me was a well-reviewed CSW who assured me she is clean (she goes to her doctor once a month for testing a check ups and said "this is my life, too...I don't want any diseases either).
Last week, when I started reading up on Epididymitis, I started to get scared as most websites mentioned the cause to be chlamydia and/or gonorrhea in men of my age group (I'm 30). After reading that a burning sensation while urinating is a symptom, the next day I noticed my bladder start to slightly burn after peeing. It doesn't hurt to urinate, just a bladder sensation afterwards. I have not had any discharge either. So should I be worried about this? I'm afraid to go to the doctors and be told I have chlam/gon as I'm married (will never stray again). I ask for your help and thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Pain or at least discomfort is a hallmark of epididymitis. As you point out, I have not examined you but there is nothing you have described that makes me particularly worried about epididymitis. Take care. EWH
Thank you for your replies, Doctor.
So it sounds like you don't think I have epididymitis, based on what I've told you (obviously without a full, in-person examination). Is it possible to have epididymitis without pain? I feel no pain whatsoever now, just a heaviness sometimes with respect to my right testicle. As I mentioned, I believe the epididymis is still swollen. Anyway, I could be veering off into non-STD related material here, so I'll stop now. But again, thank for your reply. I'm pretty sure I would've noticed something like gonorrhea by now.
So it sounds like you don't think I have epididymitis, based on what I've told you (obviously without a full, in-person examination). Is it possible to have epididymitis without pain? I feel no pain whatsoever now, just a heaviness sometimes with respect to my right testicle. As I mentioned, I believe the epididymis is still swollen. Anyway, I could be veering off into non-STD related material here, so I'll stop now. But again, thank for your reply. I'm pretty sure I would've noticed something like gonorrhea by now.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A dirty atheletic suypporter would not be a typical cause of the sorts of symptoms you describe. EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to our Forum. You may or may not have epididymitis but the chance that, if you do, you have it from receipt of unprotected oral sex 9 months ago are very, very low. Chlamydia is not an issue because oral transmission of chlamydial infection is almost unheard of. Gonorrhea can be transmitted by oral sex but over 90% of gonococcal infections in men are symptomatic. Men can get a non-chlamydial non-gonococcal urethritis from receipt of oral sex in which mouth bacteria are introduced into the urethra. Epididymitis following such an infection would, again, be most unusual.
Your post also reports the onset of urinary discomfort following reading about STD symptoms. The power os suggestion if very strong and sometimes after an exposure that, in retrospect, one wishes they had not had, persons tend to examine themselves and be far more attuned to genital sensations than in periods when they are not concerned. This in turn leads to noticing what turn out to be normal sensations that might have been not noticed or ignored at other times. I suspect this is a contributor to your urethral discomfort but not your epididymal symptoms. My advice is to go and get checked. your chances of having an STD are very, very low but there may be something non-STD in origin going on which needs to be cared for. EWH.
Your post also reports the onset of urinary discomfort following reading about STD symptoms. The power os suggestion if very strong and sometimes after an exposure that, in retrospect, one wishes they had not had, persons tend to examine themselves and be far more attuned to genital sensations than in periods when they are not concerned. This in turn leads to noticing what turn out to be normal sensations that might have been not noticed or ignored at other times. I suspect this is a contributor to your urethral discomfort but not your epididymal symptoms. My advice is to go and get checked. your chances of having an STD are very, very low but there may be something non-STD in origin going on which needs to be cared for. EWH.
I should also ask - is it possible for a bacterial infection from a dirty jock strap to cause the issues I've been having? I remembered that I hadn't washed my jock since I last played...
Thanks
Thanks
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
