discomfort at the tip of my penis

[Adrock]

About 4 months ago I had unprotected oral sex.  Immediately after that, i noticed some discomfort at the tip of my penis. I went to a doctor who said everything checked out fine.  He performed a blood test, urine test and visual exam, specifically checking for STDs. After that the problem persisted, which was a very mild redness at the tip of the penis and slight discomfort.  The redness that occurs seems to change throughout the day (sometimes you can not see anything).  I went back to the doctor who prescribed a prescription for (Leviquin - I think that is what it was called) saying that if something was there, the prescribed medicine would get rid of it.  I took the medicine and still noticed the symptoms.  My Doctor referred me to a urologist who I saw and still could not find anything that was wrong with me.  

I can feel that something is not right, but am unable to get any answers from the doctors I have seen.  I did research online and came across "male yeast infection" which seemed to list the same symptoms I was having. Does this sound like something that could be possible giving the symptoms I have mentioned?

I would appreciate any info you might have on what could possibly be wrong with me.

Thanks,
-A

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It Sure Hurts makes some good points, and I have made them before in response to similar questions.  Certainly there is a syndrome of men with symptoms that might suggest urethritis, but without evidence of any inection we know how to identify.  Psychological studies show that these persons have higher than expected levels of stress, anxiety, depression, etc, but those could be the result of the condition rather than the cause.

Not all bodily discomforts--whether in the genitals or elsewhere--indicate harmful conditions.  Perhaps most important, there is no evidence whatsoever that the symptoms indicate any of the standard STDs in atypical form (chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes etc); no evidence they result in long-term harm (no infertility, cancer, epididymitis, etc); and nothing that can be transmitted to a sex partner or cause any harm in a partner. You can rely on these facts.  Finally, as suggested by It Sure Hurts, the symptoms tend to fade with time, generally to nothing.

Thus It Sure Hurt's bottom line advice is valid:  Sit tight and give it at least several weeks.  If the symptoms worsen or if they don't subside after a couple of months, consider another medical evaluation.  But in the meantime, carry on a normal life (including sex life) and don't lose sleep over it.

HHH, MD

[CB23]

A related discussion, What could this be... was started.

[Sameproblem9]

A related discussion, I have same symptoms was started.

[TheConfusedOne]

my question is i have had problem wit my penis for 2 years now, at first i thought it might of had been gential herpes because i started seeing red bumps and they itched sometimes but they would disappear in matter of hours...but its been 2 years, by this time i think i would had seeing blisters or it would burn when i pee or discharge but nothin the only thing that happens is that sometime but rarely will i feel a little qucik sting...but know the tip of penis is a little red it doesnt hurt or anything but its just red, i thikn is cause i jerk off to much or maybe because i wear tight jeans and my tip rubs on my boxers...im just really confused cause in the back of my head it can b herpes but then it cant cause i have this problem for 2 years and i havent discharge, blisters or sores, and no burning pee....

Can u help a very confused teenager

[worried55]

I have had very similar symtoms. I have minor pain at the tip of my penis. Recently I notied a red rash that came and went. It may only last a few hours and then seemingly go away. It's been 11 days since my unprotected oral sex experience. I'm seeking answers just like you. It's very frustrating. I would like to talk to you further about this. If you get this message and would like to e-mail me, please do so. My addrress is ***@****.

[It sure hurts]

I completely disagree with the notion that somehow you have "nothing".

You have something, but the medical profession are not able to diagnose it.

Only last week I read an article about the rise of STD's in the US and the unkown's that were appearing. When the US medical profession says that, it tells you something.

I have exactly the condition you are describing and I have come across approximately 5 other guys on the net talking about it as well. Mine is 5 months old and is not at say 0.25 out of 10 on the pain scale.

I am not sure whether it is residual nerve damage from NSU or something, but it does exist and its not in your mind.

It probably will resolve over time...and its this feature in my opinion which has allowed the Medical profession to just say "Oh, its nothing" and not really do detailed research on us guys appearing with these conditions.

nb: it very likely won't be thrush, although I have so many theories as to what it could be I don't have space... I'd bet its something thats either virus related or bacterial and hiding further up the tract (As I had the swab test etc and it showed nothing).

I seriously would advise guys not to allow any women to do oral unless they have never taken antibiotics and are virgins. =)

[tfe]

Anxiety is a terrible thing. After an unprotected exposure, I felt (what I believed to be) persistent and REAL pain in the groin area. Even after MD's evaluated me (GP, urologist, ER at a hospital). And STD's don't appear "right after" an exposure; they usually take a while to manifest themselves.

You're fine. You need to address your anxiety over this issue before you can truly begin the healing process, OK?

I don't think that Dr. HHH can provide much more than the doctors who already examined you visually.


Best wishes, you'll be fine!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I cannot, and do not try, to compete with the assessment of doctors who actually have examined patients, especially when more than one provider had the same assessment.  If you haven't been tested for gonorrhea, you might want to request such testing; but otherwise, I doubt any STD explains your symptoms.  There is no such thing as "male yeast infection" as an explanation of the symptoms you describe.

Good luck-- HHH, MD