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STDs - should I worry?
Hi Doc,
I will try to make this fast. This past Sunday morning @ around 4AM, I made a drunken mistake and had unprotected oral and vaginal sex with a woman (I'm a man). I know this woman - but don't know her sexual history, etc. I asked her the next day and she said she was last tested a year ago, and to the best of her kowledge, everything is totally fine with her. To make it worse, I'm in a comitted relationship. I feel horrible about all this.
Beginning last evening, I started experiencing a dull ache in one of my testicles. I also have a history of prostatatis., and often get this symptom due to that, so I certainly hope that's the case again. I have made an appt with my doctor for STD testing (Chlam/Gon). My questions are:
1. Should I be worried about contracting something after one short unprotected experience?
2. The appt for STD screening is scheduled for Thursday @ 11AM. This would be 4 days after the encounter. At the time of my appt, would a urine test for these bugs be valid?
3. I have read previously that an ache in the testicles is generally not a symptom of an STD. Can you confirm this?
Thank you.
I will try to make this fast. This past Sunday morning @ around 4AM, I made a drunken mistake and had unprotected oral and vaginal sex with a woman (I'm a man). I know this woman - but don't know her sexual history, etc. I asked her the next day and she said she was last tested a year ago, and to the best of her kowledge, everything is totally fine with her. To make it worse, I'm in a comitted relationship. I feel horrible about all this.
Beginning last evening, I started experiencing a dull ache in one of my testicles. I also have a history of prostatatis., and often get this symptom due to that, so I certainly hope that's the case again. I have made an appt with my doctor for STD testing (Chlam/Gon). My questions are:
1. Should I be worried about contracting something after one short unprotected experience?
2. The appt for STD screening is scheduled for Thursday @ 11AM. This would be 4 days after the encounter. At the time of my appt, would a urine test for these bugs be valid?
3. I have read previously that an ache in the testicles is generally not a symptom of an STD. Can you confirm this?
Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, that would be fine.
Thanks for the response and for the advice on the rules. I will be sure to follow them.
So if I moved up my appt until tomorrow @ around 6pm, I should feel 100% confidant that the results would be correct and valid? I want to only do this one time.
Thanks.
So if I moved up my appt until tomorrow @ around 6pm, I should feel 100% confidant that the results would be correct and valid? I want to only do this one time.
Thanks.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the STD forum.
Bottom line: Low risk for STD and little or no chance that STD explains your symptoms. But testing isn't a bad idea, so I suggest you follow through with your scheduled appointment.
1) The chance of STD from any single exposure usually is low, and most women have a pretty good sense as to whether or not they are infected, even if not tested recently. Still, given the circumstances, it would not be unreasonable for both of you to be tested at this time for common STDs.
2) Yes, urine testing will be valid at 4 days. Common advice from some sources suggests waiting a bit longer for chlamydia testing, but with the extremely senstive tests now in routine use it probably isn't necessary. Even 2 days would be OK.
3) Correct. The only symptoms of urethral gonorrhea or chlamydia are discharge from the penis, sometimes with burning or an itchy sensation during urination. Testicular pain occurs with epididymitis, but with acute pain, tenderness to touch, and swelling of the testicle. As you already know, however, such discomfort is a very common symptom of prostatitis or the chronic pelvic pain syndrome. (CPPS is the modern terminology for most cases of what once was called chronic nonbacterial prostatitis; for more information, google it and start your reading with the excellent Wikipedia article.)
I hope this helps. I wouldn't worry much; most likely your STD tests will be negative.
Regards-- HHH, MD
PS: Since this is your second question in 3 months, please be aware of MedHelp's rule about a maximum of 2 questions every 6 months in each of the professionally moderated forums (see Terms and Conditions). I don't want you to risk losing the posting fee in event of another question in the next 6 months that might be deleted without reply.
Bottom line: Low risk for STD and little or no chance that STD explains your symptoms. But testing isn't a bad idea, so I suggest you follow through with your scheduled appointment.
1) The chance of STD from any single exposure usually is low, and most women have a pretty good sense as to whether or not they are infected, even if not tested recently. Still, given the circumstances, it would not be unreasonable for both of you to be tested at this time for common STDs.
2) Yes, urine testing will be valid at 4 days. Common advice from some sources suggests waiting a bit longer for chlamydia testing, but with the extremely senstive tests now in routine use it probably isn't necessary. Even 2 days would be OK.
3) Correct. The only symptoms of urethral gonorrhea or chlamydia are discharge from the penis, sometimes with burning or an itchy sensation during urination. Testicular pain occurs with epididymitis, but with acute pain, tenderness to touch, and swelling of the testicle. As you already know, however, such discomfort is a very common symptom of prostatitis or the chronic pelvic pain syndrome. (CPPS is the modern terminology for most cases of what once was called chronic nonbacterial prostatitis; for more information, google it and start your reading with the excellent Wikipedia article.)
I hope this helps. I wouldn't worry much; most likely your STD tests will be negative.
Regards-- HHH, MD
PS: Since this is your second question in 3 months, please be aware of MedHelp's rule about a maximum of 2 questions every 6 months in each of the professionally moderated forums (see Terms and Conditions). I don't want you to risk losing the posting fee in event of another question in the next 6 months that might be deleted without reply.
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