Chronic Epididymitis and Gonorrhea

[SD1578]

I contracted gonorrhea 11 months ago and was treated within two of the date of exposure.  During this period, I experienced all of the typical symptoms, to include urethral discharge, burning, and testicular pain.  The symptoms cleared up within a week of treatment with the exception of the testicular pain which seems to come and go.  I attributed this to chronic epididymitis and assume that it will be here for the long term.  My question is;  Does having chronic epididymitis as a result of gonorrhea mean that I am still infected and that the bacteria is still present?  Can I continue to transmit the gonorrhea infection to others as a result?  Basically, does having chronic epididymitis due to gonorrhea mean that i will always have gonorrhea and the potential to spread it?  Any information is much appreciated, and thank you in advance.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Correct.  Not that you do.  EWH

[SD1578]

Thank you, Doctor Hook.  Your assistance is much appreciated.  Just to clarify, even if I do have chronic epididymitis, it will not be passed to any sexual partners?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Thanks for the additional information.  Recommended treatment for gonorrhea is highly effective.  If your symptoms resolved, your gonorrhea is almost certainly cured and there is no reason to worry.  If your anxiety requires you to prove that you are cured, you could re-test.  Personally however, I do not feel you need repeat testing.  

As for your testicular discomfort, epididymitis pain does not come and go.  I suspect your testicular discomfort is unrelated to your gonorrhea.  

Finally, there is no such thing as chronic gonorrhea.  I would not worry about this.  EWH

[SD1578]

Lastly, the tesricular pain developed about 3 weeks after exposure.

[SD1578]

I was out of the country for 7 months following the test and have not had intercourse since then (11 months total).  From what I've been told, gonorrhea in men is generally self limiting, is that correct?

[SD1578]

Doctor,
Thank you for the response.  I tested positive for gonorrhea 1 week after exposure.  The primary symptoms went away, so I did not go back for a retest.  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  Did you have a positve test for gonorrhea and if so, did you then have follow-up tests?  

If you had proven gonorrhea, it would be unusual for you to have developed epididymitis so quickly.  I am concerned that your intermittent testicular pain may represent a different, possibly non-STI process  EWH

[SD1578]

That first line should stare two weeks.  My apologies.