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Epididymitis, with no Sti's
I am a male who is 25, on july 8th I had protected sex with a high risk female. A week later I began to notice a heavy feeling in the testicles. On july 13th I had a full sti test done (gonorrhea,Chlamydia, hsv 1,2 Hiv antibody, and hiv dna by pcr) all negative. I chalked the swelling, and pain up to jock itch or the heat. On August 2nd I again had the same test performed, once again negative. I was again reassured that I did not have any sti's and had protected sex with a female friend(who was clean). However, around the 6th of August the pain got worse, and I went to a planned parent hood appointment. They diagnosed me with Epididymitis, tested me, for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea ,and gave me antibiotics. I went to another Doctor, to get a second opinion, the same was given. Both test results for the Doctors were negative(one was a swab the other urine).I was advised to inform my female partner, which I did. Shortly after we had sex, and I informed her she began to develop symptoms. The doctor described her symptoms as early signs of Chlamydia. She tested negative also.
The doxycycline is helping, I am not on day 10 of taking the medication.
1. What was this infection?
2. Should I be worried about having any sti's(can I have sex SAFELY after the antibiotics are finished)?
3. Should I continue to get tested for Hiv or any sti's
4. Is it possible this was some sort of bacterial sti that is not common enough to be tested for?
The doxycycline is helping, I am not on day 10 of taking the medication.
1. What was this infection?
2. Should I be worried about having any sti's(can I have sex SAFELY after the antibiotics are finished)?
3. Should I continue to get tested for Hiv or any sti's
4. Is it possible this was some sort of bacterial sti that is not common enough to be tested for?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your comments and follow-up questions in sequence:
1,2) I suspected they were "playing it safe". And your expanded description of symptoms does not convince me your testicles were in fact enlarged.
3) To bad they didn't look for WBC. But based on all the other information, I doubt it would have been abnormal.
4) With negative tests for UTI bacteria, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, plus the other information you have provided, I am convinced you did not have epididymitis. All your symptoms sound more related to a prostae problem or to anxiety, which often makes people more attentive to minor discomforts or to normal body sensations that are not really abnormal. Indeed, the main symptoms of the chronic pelvic pain syndrome may be due to anxiety, causing tension in pelvic muscles. Genitally focused anxiety is very common after sexual exposures that people regret.
Finally, I very much doubt your partner's symptoms are due to any infection either, and probably are unrelated to yours. Of course she should continue to work with her doctors if her symptoms continue or still concern her.
Bottom line: It is good to know your symptoms are improving, whether spontaneously or because of the doxycycline. If they fade away, you can just move on with your life with no worries. It is very unlikely you have, or had, any STD.
1,2) I suspected they were "playing it safe". And your expanded description of symptoms does not convince me your testicles were in fact enlarged.
3) To bad they didn't look for WBC. But based on all the other information, I doubt it would have been abnormal.
4) With negative tests for UTI bacteria, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, plus the other information you have provided, I am convinced you did not have epididymitis. All your symptoms sound more related to a prostae problem or to anxiety, which often makes people more attentive to minor discomforts or to normal body sensations that are not really abnormal. Indeed, the main symptoms of the chronic pelvic pain syndrome may be due to anxiety, causing tension in pelvic muscles. Genitally focused anxiety is very common after sexual exposures that people regret.
Finally, I very much doubt your partner's symptoms are due to any infection either, and probably are unrelated to yours. Of course she should continue to work with her doctors if her symptoms continue or still concern her.
Bottom line: It is good to know your symptoms are improving, whether spontaneously or because of the doxycycline. If they fade away, you can just move on with your life with no worries. It is very unlikely you have, or had, any STD.
A related discussion, how does epididymitus effect women was started.
Well, awesome, perhaps once my partner realizes her symptoms are unrelated to mine she will start talking to me again!
Thanks for your help!!!
1.Were the clinicians quite certain about the diagnosis?
They seemed like they were playing it safe.
2. Epididymitis almost never is bilateral but I think you are describing symptoms in both testes
Both my testicles felt swollen, and were tender. Sitting down was uncomfortable. Their was also a red rash on my testicles. They were enlarged, my testicles are usually tight against my body, however when I had the infection they sagged significantly more than usual. At times my penis itched. No discharge. However, my urine stream was not as strong as usual, the flow towards the end was often interrupted. Their was also a general itching and tingling feeling in my area.
3.Also, were there elevated white blood cells in your urine? (Or a positive dipstick leukocyte esterase test -- an indirect indicator of WBC
no test like this was performed, that I am aware of.
4. Was a urine culture done to check for UTI bacteria?
Yes, it was negative
I have not had anal sex.
Why did my female partner catch this thing instantly even with condoms, if its not sexually transmitted It Seems like their is a strong correlation between this infection and having sex. It just seems kinda weird.
They seemed like they were playing it safe.
2. Epididymitis almost never is bilateral but I think you are describing symptoms in both testes
Both my testicles felt swollen, and were tender. Sitting down was uncomfortable. Their was also a red rash on my testicles. They were enlarged, my testicles are usually tight against my body, however when I had the infection they sagged significantly more than usual. At times my penis itched. No discharge. However, my urine stream was not as strong as usual, the flow towards the end was often interrupted. Their was also a general itching and tingling feeling in my area.
3.Also, were there elevated white blood cells in your urine? (Or a positive dipstick leukocyte esterase test -- an indirect indicator of WBC
no test like this was performed, that I am aware of.
4. Was a urine culture done to check for UTI bacteria?
Yes, it was negative
I have not had anal sex.
Why did my female partner catch this thing instantly even with condoms, if its not sexually transmitted It Seems like their is a strong correlation between this infection and having sex. It just seems kinda weird.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
There are two issues here: Do you in fact have epididymitis? And if so, what caused it?
That two separate clinicians have diagnosed epididymitis certainly makes it a reasonable likelihood. However, diagnosis of epididymitis can be difficult and your symptoms are not typical. Were the clinicians quite certain about the diagnosis? Or perhaps treated you on that assumption even though not proved? Epididymitis almost never is bilateral but I think you are describing symptoms in both testes. Usually it's only one, and the involved testicle is not only "heavy" or painful, but is distinctly enlarged, hard, and exquisitely tender to touch. Also, were there elevated white blood cells in your urine? (Or a positive dipstick leukocyte esterase test -- an indirect indicator of WBC)? Most men with symptoms like yours actually have a prostate gland problem, or the chronic pelvic pain syndrome. (For more information, google that term and start your reading with the excellent Wikipedia article.)
Assuming you indeed have epididymitis, what is the cause? Chlamydia is the single most common cause in men under 35 years old, and gonorrhea is second. However, gonorrhea is especially unlikely in the absence of disharge of pus from the penis; and the lab tests for both gonorrhea and chlamydia are highly accurate. And it is very unlikely you caught either one during condom-protected sex. So all things considered, we can dismiss chlamydia and gonorrhea as causes. A minority of cases are caused by standard urinary tract infection (UTI) bacteria, like E. coli and others. These are not sexually transmitted, although once in a while they can cause UTI or epididymitis in men who have been the insertive partners in unprotected anal sex. Was a urine culture done to check for UTI bacteria?
Despite my uncertainties, you should follow your doctors' advice, i.e. complete treatment unless they say otherwise. To your specific questions:
1,4) As all this suggests, I am not certain epididymitis or any other STD explains your symptoms, and I also am inclined to doubt a non-STD UTI. You should discuss my concerns and uncertainties with your doctor(s).
2) I believe you can safely have sex, either with your regular partner or anyone else, at this time -- and certainly after you complete treatment.
3) Since you had a condom-protected exposure, I see no need for testing for any STDs or HIV, aside from the tests already done. However, all people who are sexually active outside mutually monogamous relationships should have syphilis and HIV blood tests from time to time, like once a year. If you haven't been tested recently, this would be a good time to do it.
I may be able to advise you further if you can fill in some of the information about the certainty of your doctors' diagnosis, what they think about prostate gland issues, and some of the lab test results I mentioned.
Regards--- HHH, MD
There are two issues here: Do you in fact have epididymitis? And if so, what caused it?
That two separate clinicians have diagnosed epididymitis certainly makes it a reasonable likelihood. However, diagnosis of epididymitis can be difficult and your symptoms are not typical. Were the clinicians quite certain about the diagnosis? Or perhaps treated you on that assumption even though not proved? Epididymitis almost never is bilateral but I think you are describing symptoms in both testes. Usually it's only one, and the involved testicle is not only "heavy" or painful, but is distinctly enlarged, hard, and exquisitely tender to touch. Also, were there elevated white blood cells in your urine? (Or a positive dipstick leukocyte esterase test -- an indirect indicator of WBC)? Most men with symptoms like yours actually have a prostate gland problem, or the chronic pelvic pain syndrome. (For more information, google that term and start your reading with the excellent Wikipedia article.)
Assuming you indeed have epididymitis, what is the cause? Chlamydia is the single most common cause in men under 35 years old, and gonorrhea is second. However, gonorrhea is especially unlikely in the absence of disharge of pus from the penis; and the lab tests for both gonorrhea and chlamydia are highly accurate. And it is very unlikely you caught either one during condom-protected sex. So all things considered, we can dismiss chlamydia and gonorrhea as causes. A minority of cases are caused by standard urinary tract infection (UTI) bacteria, like E. coli and others. These are not sexually transmitted, although once in a while they can cause UTI or epididymitis in men who have been the insertive partners in unprotected anal sex. Was a urine culture done to check for UTI bacteria?
Despite my uncertainties, you should follow your doctors' advice, i.e. complete treatment unless they say otherwise. To your specific questions:
1,4) As all this suggests, I am not certain epididymitis or any other STD explains your symptoms, and I also am inclined to doubt a non-STD UTI. You should discuss my concerns and uncertainties with your doctor(s).
2) I believe you can safely have sex, either with your regular partner or anyone else, at this time -- and certainly after you complete treatment.
3) Since you had a condom-protected exposure, I see no need for testing for any STDs or HIV, aside from the tests already done. However, all people who are sexually active outside mutually monogamous relationships should have syphilis and HIV blood tests from time to time, like once a year. If you haven't been tested recently, this would be a good time to do it.
I may be able to advise you further if you can fill in some of the information about the certainty of your doctors' diagnosis, what they think about prostate gland issues, and some of the lab test results I mentioned.
Regards--- HHH, MD
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.
