Constant genital pain for a year, not Herpes

[nick1978]

I'm a 29 year old male. In May of 2007 I developed a burning sensation in genitals and anus (started as an icy cold feeling but since has just been straight heat. In my anus it sometimes feel like there's something moving around the edge). The sensation was consistently there for 4 months straight. After that I've had a week here or there where the pain is minimal but the majority of the time i'm in considerable pain. Any kind of relief lasts no longer than about 7 days. I've had no lesions, no burning while urinating, no discharge. It's usually on the underside of my penis and anus where I feel it the most. Sometimes it's around the head or scrotum. I went to an STD clinic, they did their tests and told me there was no evidence of an STD and sent me to a GP. GP could find nothing wrong. They tried Cipro incase it was an infection. It did nothing. Then Valtrex although I had no lesions and the symptoms had lasted 3 months straight at that point. Nothing. At that point Herpes was ruled out.

An Ultra sound showed my prostate was slightly enlarged but nothing that would cause my issues. Urologist looked and couldn't find anything wrong. I've had sebaceous prominence for years, so I have lots of bumps on my penis. I thought maybe I had warts that were mixed in there. My current girlfriend has been tested twice in past two years for HPV (and all other testable STI's) and has come up negative. Before that I was in a monogamous 10 year relationship. We were both virgins.

Being paranoid I apply vinegar to my penis sometimes to see if anything turns white (warts). Nothing’s ever turned except the other night, two spots did. They look no different from the sebaceous cysts. I have read on these pages that the vinegar test is unreliable. I'm going into the docs again. Last time they told me there was no evidence of warts, just cysts. My GF is HPV negative, my symptoms aren’t consistent with that either so I don't know. I’ve been in constant pain for almost a year. Any help?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I would like to help, but no distant online expert can come up with a diagnosis or otherwise be of much assistance after direct assessments by at least 3 providers, including an STD clinic, a urologist, and a GP have not been able to provide clear answers.  No STD causes the sort of symptoms you describe, and HPV certainly does not do so.

While I do not speculate extensively about non-STD causes, I suggest you read up on the male chronic pelvic pain syndrome.  It used to be considered a form of prostatitis, but the prostate probably is not involved.  You can find lots of information if you google "chronic pelvic pain syndrome".  I suggest you start your reading with the Wikipedia article, which is well written and will show up pretty high on the google hit list.  CPPS is a benign condition, responsible only for discomfort, with no other significant health impact.

Whatever else you do, put STDs and HPV aside.  There is no chance they are the cause of your symptoms.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Gladfor the help]

I had similar sensations for nearly a year.  Like you, I was tested for everything under the sun with negative results.  I took several different prescribed anitbotics to no avail.  I was certain I had every there was.  Finally, I found a doctor who discoverd a hyneria.  It was the cause of all my discomfort and I had it for awhile and did not know it.

Following surgery, almost all the sensations went away in time.  

I say this for two reasons.  One, you may want to check for the same thing.  Two, if it is not a hernia, don't be discouraged, a cause may be found and it will not be STD related.

[nick1978]

Thanks for your input. I've never had issues in this area before and when it comes on so suddenly it's pretty frightening. Your mind can go to a lot of places. I'll keep going to the doctors, hopefully they can figure it out and I can get some relief. Thanks.