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Please help!! What is this?
I'm seeking an expert opinion on something that has plagued me for about a month and half. I had protected sex with someone throughout the duration of sex; however the condom came off while pulling out. Immediately a new condom came on and we resumed with no issues. Approximately, three to four days later I experience some frequency to urinate. Two weeks later comes an itch at the tip of my penis. I go to be evaluated at the clinic. They say it could be Chlamydia or Gonnorhea and they test for both. They do the swab and urinalysis. I should note every time a swab is done afterwards the itch becomes present. I've also noticed my urethra looks dry at times. There is also a very cold feeling at penis head after urination. The results came back a week later as negative. I decided the results could be inaccurate so I wait another two weeks to determine if its me or something I drank previously (I drank a lot sodium-heavy club soda and assumed maybe some dehydration as suggested by my GP). I go back after experiencing frequency without the itch and take another test to see. Of course, they come back negative and tell me it's NSU. I understand what NSU is which means it could be anything at this point. Inflammation goes down with ibruprofren and I have not warts, lumps, bruises, or itches other than hemorrhoids from a bad case of diarrhea from Zithromax. I'm worried it could be herpes even though every thing I foind on the net says its "rare" to have urethritis this way without the other tale-tale signs. Can someone please help me?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Glad things are improving. It would be best to direct any additional questions about this to your doctor.
Symptoms appear to be lessening. I took the Zithromax about two weeks ago. Itching sensation almost non-existent. Masternated last night with no issues. Some frequency and urgency still there. I'll give it a week and then I'm back to see the doctor. No discharge either, by the way. I'll keep you posted should I have additional questions. Thanks again.
Thanks so much. There was some cloudy sticky discharge during hard bowel movements. The doctor mentioned this was some sort of prostatic fluid which I guess is fairly common. Strangely, when I did have discharge the symptoms became extremely mild. They did note some pus was in my urine. The discharge only came twice and haven't seen it since. I'll be going back in a week.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
First, some general comments about nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), sometimes called nonspecific urethritis (NSU). Are you in the UK or a commonwealth country? NSU is the common term there, whereas NGU is the usual term in North America. NGU is usually sexually acquired, although cases sometimes appear in monogamous men. Chlamydia is the most common cause, but still accounts for only about one third of cases. Other causes include Mycoplasma genitalium and Ureaplasma (although this is controversial), but tests for these causes usually are not available and not commonly done. A few percent of cases are caused by viruses, including herpes. In over half the cases, no particular cause can be found, even with sophisticated testing in research laboratories.
Because a health professional diagnosed NGU, that probably is what you have. However, there are some atypical features, notably that the exposure you describe doesn't seem likely to have put you at risk for a urethral infection -- although it might have been possible when the first condom came off. Or if oral sex also was part of the picture, that can be a source of NGU. The other atypicality is your symptoms. Normally symptoms start 1-2 weeks after exposure and include discharge of mucus or pus (which you don't describe) and urethral itching or discomfort (which you do have). Your apparent urinary frequency might be unrelated; that's not normally associated with NGU and that symptom began too soon after your exposure.
Even with proper treatment, e.g. with azithromycin (Zithromax), NGU often persists or recurs. The usual recommendation is to re-treat recurrent symptoms with the combination of a tetracycline-class antibiotic (e.g., doxycycline) plus a single dose of metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax); the latter drug covers trichomonas, which causes a few percent of cases.
Herpes is very unlikely in your case. Herpetic NGU tends to be more severe than you describe, usually is accompanied by obvious herpes lesions of the penis, and generally would clear up completely on its own within a couple of weeks.
From your use of "NSU", plus "GP" for general practitioner -- another term no longer in common use in North America -- probably you're in the UK. If so, a good next step would be to visit the nearest genitourinary medicine clinic. The UK GUM clinics are generally excellent and the best sources for guaranteed expert evaluation and care of cases like yours.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Because a health professional diagnosed NGU, that probably is what you have. However, there are some atypical features, notably that the exposure you describe doesn't seem likely to have put you at risk for a urethral infection -- although it might have been possible when the first condom came off. Or if oral sex also was part of the picture, that can be a source of NGU. The other atypicality is your symptoms. Normally symptoms start 1-2 weeks after exposure and include discharge of mucus or pus (which you don't describe) and urethral itching or discomfort (which you do have). Your apparent urinary frequency might be unrelated; that's not normally associated with NGU and that symptom began too soon after your exposure.
Even with proper treatment, e.g. with azithromycin (Zithromax), NGU often persists or recurs. The usual recommendation is to re-treat recurrent symptoms with the combination of a tetracycline-class antibiotic (e.g., doxycycline) plus a single dose of metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax); the latter drug covers trichomonas, which causes a few percent of cases.
Herpes is very unlikely in your case. Herpetic NGU tends to be more severe than you describe, usually is accompanied by obvious herpes lesions of the penis, and generally would clear up completely on its own within a couple of weeks.
From your use of "NSU", plus "GP" for general practitioner -- another term no longer in common use in North America -- probably you're in the UK. If so, a good next step would be to visit the nearest genitourinary medicine clinic. The UK GUM clinics are generally excellent and the best sources for guaranteed expert evaluation and care of cases like yours.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- 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.
