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STD testing help.
Hi, my name is Nick. I'm 22 years old and I've been freaking out over something. Back in November, I was tested for chlamydia and Gonnoreah (sp?) because I was having a burning feeling in my penis, by a swab test and it came back clean. I found it it was a UTI (Urethritis). My pain went away. Then I went into the ER in Janurary where they did another swab, AND urine test because i had a small case of swelling. They told me the urine and swab tests came back clean also. 2 days ago I went to a urologist to check on that same swelling and he asked me "What are the chances of a venerial disease?" and I said "very slim to none" and he ordered a test for those things. I've been with a girl who is a virgin for the past 8 months (Even before the first test) and i've NEVER done anything else with any girl.
I was pain free from Janurary to now and HAVENT done anything sexually with anyone besides my girlfriend.
I personally feel I have another UTI because it's the same symptoms as before and I haven't had sex with anyone since last june, However, my anxiety has me thinking "WERE MY PAST TESTS WRONG? HAVE I HAD IT THIS WHOLE TIME?! DID THEY LIE TO ME?!
Could TWO tests in the past BOTH be wrong? Help me out :(
I was pain free from Janurary to now and HAVENT done anything sexually with anyone besides my girlfriend.
I personally feel I have another UTI because it's the same symptoms as before and I haven't had sex with anyone since last june, However, my anxiety has me thinking "WERE MY PAST TESTS WRONG? HAVE I HAD IT THIS WHOLE TIME?! DID THEY LIE TO ME?!
Could TWO tests in the past BOTH be wrong? Help me out :(
Thank you Mr. Handsfield. You've definitely helped me tonight. I appreciate it.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
So you definitely had NGU (an STD) in November, not a UTI. Like most NGU, the chlamydia test was negative -- but that doesn't mean it wasn't an STD. Bactrim isn't one of the first line drugs against NGU, but it often is effective, as it apparently was in your case.
In your initial question, you said the same symptoms have come back. However, these follow-up questions imply only the testicular discomfort. This could be anxiety related, and nothing more -- as you suggest yourself.
Your negative gonorrhea and chlamydia tests are reliable; you can be sure you don't have (and never had) either of these STDs. However, it would seem that your partner still has not been examined and treated. That is recommended for every case of NGU. You should discuss this with your doctor(s).
In your initial question, you said the same symptoms have come back. However, these follow-up questions imply only the testicular discomfort. This could be anxiety related, and nothing more -- as you suggest yourself.
Your negative gonorrhea and chlamydia tests are reliable; you can be sure you don't have (and never had) either of these STDs. However, it would seem that your partner still has not been examined and treated. That is recommended for every case of NGU. You should discuss this with your doctor(s).
If I was tested twice for Chlamydia and Gonnoreah using a urine AND swab and they came back clear, that means I shouldn't have it right?
I'm confident in my doctors and urologist. It's just my anxiety is messing with me and making me think that they all failed and that i've been hiding it.
I'm confident in my doctors and urologist. It's just my anxiety is messing with me and making me think that they all failed and that i've been hiding it.
Back in November, I had discharge and some burning sensations as well as small abdominal pain and was given Bactrim for it and it cleared it right up.
As for the swelling, my urologist looked at it and said it was the muscle that pulls your testicle up. I can't recall exactly what it was called but it starts with a C. When I went to the ER in Janurary, they did an ultrasound and nothing came up of a hydrocele, epydidimis, or varicocele or anything.
This is the first time i've felt any pain or discharge in 2 months. The only type of sex my girlfriend and I do is me give her oral. She hasn't complained of anything hurting or anything like that.
As for the swelling, my urologist looked at it and said it was the muscle that pulls your testicle up. I can't recall exactly what it was called but it starts with a C. When I went to the ER in Janurary, they did an ultrasound and nothing came up of a hydrocele, epydidimis, or varicocele or anything.
This is the first time i've felt any pain or discharge in 2 months. The only type of sex my girlfriend and I do is me give her oral. She hasn't complained of anything hurting or anything like that.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
First, let's clear up some terminology. UTI (i.e., non sexually acquired infections of the urinary tract) are very, very rare in men your age. If you had anything at all in November, probably it was nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) -- which is an STD. Some NGU is caused by chlamydia, but in most cases the exact cause isn't known. In other words, standard STD testing is often negative for this particular STD. Some doctors understand these issues, but some do not.
However, your symptoms were not typical even for NGU -- which mostly causes discharge of mucus from the penis; painful urination can occur, but not usually as the only symptom. What treatment were you given at that time? Was your girlfriend examined or treated?
Second, please clarify what sort of "swelling" you have had. A lump in the groin? An inflamed or enlarged testicle? Something else? What exactly is the urologist's diagnosis -- epididymitis, prostatitis, or something else?
For sure nobody lied to you. However, you might have doctors who are somewhat unfamiliar with NGU, STDs, etc. With your recurrent symptoms, it is important to determine whether you have abnormal urethral discharge; and probably you girlfriend should be examined and perhaps treated. If you aren't confident your urologist or other doctor(s) are up to speed on STDs, consider finding an STD expert -- e.g., your local health department STD clinic, or a Planned Parenthood clinic.
I'll be happy to comment further if you can fill in some of the missing information about treatment etc, or after you have been reevaluated by an STD expert. In the meantime, don't be overly worried. When NGU isn't caused by chlamydia, it is rarely dangerous either for affected men or their partners.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
First, let's clear up some terminology. UTI (i.e., non sexually acquired infections of the urinary tract) are very, very rare in men your age. If you had anything at all in November, probably it was nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) -- which is an STD. Some NGU is caused by chlamydia, but in most cases the exact cause isn't known. In other words, standard STD testing is often negative for this particular STD. Some doctors understand these issues, but some do not.
However, your symptoms were not typical even for NGU -- which mostly causes discharge of mucus from the penis; painful urination can occur, but not usually as the only symptom. What treatment were you given at that time? Was your girlfriend examined or treated?
Second, please clarify what sort of "swelling" you have had. A lump in the groin? An inflamed or enlarged testicle? Something else? What exactly is the urologist's diagnosis -- epididymitis, prostatitis, or something else?
For sure nobody lied to you. However, you might have doctors who are somewhat unfamiliar with NGU, STDs, etc. With your recurrent symptoms, it is important to determine whether you have abnormal urethral discharge; and probably you girlfriend should be examined and perhaps treated. If you aren't confident your urologist or other doctor(s) are up to speed on STDs, consider finding an STD expert -- e.g., your local health department STD clinic, or a Planned Parenthood clinic.
I'll be happy to comment further if you can fill in some of the missing information about treatment etc, or after you have been reevaluated by an STD expert. In the meantime, don't be overly worried. When NGU isn't caused by chlamydia, it is rarely dangerous either for affected men or their partners.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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