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urethra more vulnerable for std's after operation?
Hi Doctor,
I was not sure where to put my question...
First about me. I am a 29y/o gay male (living in the Netherlands). I am sexually active for 9 years now. I am a top and always use a condom during anal sex but not during oral sex (where I am mostly the recieving partner).
Now, I have to say that over the years I become more and more disappointed if it comes to sex. :-(
Last Saturday I had oral sex with a guy. On Monday I discovered yellow discharge coming out of my penis. I went to the doctor and he gave me Doxycyclin tablets. The discharge already stopped by now.
My problem is that this is not the first time this happend!! Since 4 years I got infected by gonorrhea (or something that looked like it) 6 times already! It make me feel frustrated and scared. I always look, during sex, if the penis of my partner looks healthy and I always ask about hiv/std status before we meet (i never date a guy again where i got the std from). But there is something strange about these repeat infections. 4 years ago I have been operated at my urethra (widening) and since then my urethra seems to get infected over and over... The strange thing is that in the 5 years before the operation I never expirienced an std but my sex life was the same in those days then it is now. Am I just unlucky or could it be possible that my urethra got more vulnerable after the operation? It makes me sad that it already happend so many times and after sex I stay scared for days, constantly checking my penis for possible discharge which makes me nuts! And everytime I discovered an infection I also feared for HIV (always negative).
Okay, after this story some additional questions:
1: You think it could be possible that my urethra got more vulnerable after the operation?
2: practicing protected anal sex (top) and unprotected oral sex (mostly recieving) is generally safe for HIV?
3: does the amount of urethra infections make the urethra even more vulnerable for the long term?
I was not sure where to put my question...
First about me. I am a 29y/o gay male (living in the Netherlands). I am sexually active for 9 years now. I am a top and always use a condom during anal sex but not during oral sex (where I am mostly the recieving partner).
Now, I have to say that over the years I become more and more disappointed if it comes to sex. :-(
Last Saturday I had oral sex with a guy. On Monday I discovered yellow discharge coming out of my penis. I went to the doctor and he gave me Doxycyclin tablets. The discharge already stopped by now.
My problem is that this is not the first time this happend!! Since 4 years I got infected by gonorrhea (or something that looked like it) 6 times already! It make me feel frustrated and scared. I always look, during sex, if the penis of my partner looks healthy and I always ask about hiv/std status before we meet (i never date a guy again where i got the std from). But there is something strange about these repeat infections. 4 years ago I have been operated at my urethra (widening) and since then my urethra seems to get infected over and over... The strange thing is that in the 5 years before the operation I never expirienced an std but my sex life was the same in those days then it is now. Am I just unlucky or could it be possible that my urethra got more vulnerable after the operation? It makes me sad that it already happend so many times and after sex I stay scared for days, constantly checking my penis for possible discharge which makes me nuts! And everytime I discovered an infection I also feared for HIV (always negative).
Okay, after this story some additional questions:
1: You think it could be possible that my urethra got more vulnerable after the operation?
2: practicing protected anal sex (top) and unprotected oral sex (mostly recieving) is generally safe for HIV?
3: does the amount of urethra infections make the urethra even more vulnerable for the long term?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are getting carried away here. I will provide these answers to your questions and that will end this thread. If you have further questions, please search this site for answers or start a new questions.
Please get over your fear of HIV testing. Testing does not give a person HIV but it does give them the power to know what is going on and whether or not they have the infection. Most tests are negative and if you were so unfortunate as to have HIV, the test would allow you to seek treatment sooner. There is no reason to delay or avoid HIV testing.
An HIV test result at 6 weeks does provide accurate information. There is no reason to wait until 12 weeks to be tested and have confidence in the test result.
Over 90% of men who get gonorrhea develop symptoms and they do so within 3-4 days of exposure. Few people become symptomatic more than 7-10 days after exposure.
Afro-Americans, in general do have higher rates of STDs than whites- about three times higher. This is not due to any particular susceptibility of unusual behavior but is a complex epidemiological fact. These sorts of health disparities are a major target for the CDC's STD control and prevention efforts.
This will end this thread. EWH
Please get over your fear of HIV testing. Testing does not give a person HIV but it does give them the power to know what is going on and whether or not they have the infection. Most tests are negative and if you were so unfortunate as to have HIV, the test would allow you to seek treatment sooner. There is no reason to delay or avoid HIV testing.
An HIV test result at 6 weeks does provide accurate information. There is no reason to wait until 12 weeks to be tested and have confidence in the test result.
Over 90% of men who get gonorrhea develop symptoms and they do so within 3-4 days of exposure. Few people become symptomatic more than 7-10 days after exposure.
Afro-Americans, in general do have higher rates of STDs than whites- about three times higher. This is not due to any particular susceptibility of unusual behavior but is a complex epidemiological fact. These sorts of health disparities are a major target for the CDC's STD control and prevention efforts.
This will end this thread. EWH
Hi again, and thank you for the previous answers.
After every gonorrhea infection I feel that I need to be tested for HIV too but I am always very nervous for it! You told me not too worry that much because HIV is rarely passed over via oral sex. I guess I just have to hold on to that then (but somehow it is always difficult not to think about worst-case scenarios.
-I have heard you can already do a HIV test that is fairly accurate at 6 weeks. Is this right?
-Is it true that most men discover symptoms of Gonorrhea after one or a couple of days already, and not first at 2 weeks?
-And finally maybe a strange question. Somehow I feel attracted to men of color (Afro-American/Latin). Can't help it. ;-) Therefore most of my sexual contacts are from this group. But is it true that this group has statisticly more std's??? I don't want to put labels on anyone, to make that clear, but I once heard this and want to know if it is a myth or not.
Thank you again in advance
After every gonorrhea infection I feel that I need to be tested for HIV too but I am always very nervous for it! You told me not too worry that much because HIV is rarely passed over via oral sex. I guess I just have to hold on to that then (but somehow it is always difficult not to think about worst-case scenarios.
-I have heard you can already do a HIV test that is fairly accurate at 6 weeks. Is this right?
-Is it true that most men discover symptoms of Gonorrhea after one or a couple of days already, and not first at 2 weeks?
-And finally maybe a strange question. Somehow I feel attracted to men of color (Afro-American/Latin). Can't help it. ;-) Therefore most of my sexual contacts are from this group. But is it true that this group has statisticly more std's??? I don't want to put labels on anyone, to make that clear, but I once heard this and want to know if it is a myth or not.
Thank you again in advance
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The changes in urination you describe are not too worrisome for an anatomical problem (scarring) with your urethra. Six infections in 4 yeasrs is certainly more than average but it could be a combination of bad luck and having lots of exposures. *** I said before, it wil be in your best interest, should this happen again that you be tested to understand what is casuing the problem, not to just be treated. EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Without having examined you and performed testing on you repeatedly over time it is impossible for me to accurately state whether the surgical procedure you had on your urethra might have made you more predisposed to getting urethritis (penile infections) than most people or whether you have just been unlucky. Typically, when surgery or previous infection lead to abnormalities of the urethra, these problems are apparent due to problems with voiding such as trouble starting or stopping urination or abnormalities of the urine stream. Since you don't mention these, they seem less likely.
On the other hand, persons who put themselves at risk for getting an STD on one occasion tend to do so repeatedly so it is possible that you could be just repeatedly unlucky. On a statistical basis this is the most likely cause of your repeat infections. One thing that would be helpful to know if any of your prior infections have lead to positive culture tests for gonorrhea or other STDs.
Finally, in terms or your HIV risk, condom protected sex is safe sex. There is no HIV risk from condom protected sex. As for oral sex, the quoted figure for HIV risk, if one has oral sex with an infected partner is less than 1 in 10,000 and, in my estimation that is too high. Some experts state there is no risk at all from oral sex. Neither of us on this site have ever seen or reading the medical literature of a convincing instance in which HIV was passed by oral sex. Even if your partner had an STD (any STD and it is likely he did not), most exposures do not lead to infection. In your case, I would urge you not to worry.
Hope this helps. EWH
On the other hand, persons who put themselves at risk for getting an STD on one occasion tend to do so repeatedly so it is possible that you could be just repeatedly unlucky. On a statistical basis this is the most likely cause of your repeat infections. One thing that would be helpful to know if any of your prior infections have lead to positive culture tests for gonorrhea or other STDs.
Finally, in terms or your HIV risk, condom protected sex is safe sex. There is no HIV risk from condom protected sex. As for oral sex, the quoted figure for HIV risk, if one has oral sex with an infected partner is less than 1 in 10,000 and, in my estimation that is too high. Some experts state there is no risk at all from oral sex. Neither of us on this site have ever seen or reading the medical literature of a convincing instance in which HIV was passed by oral sex. Even if your partner had an STD (any STD and it is likely he did not), most exposures do not lead to infection. In your case, I would urge you not to worry.
Hope this helps. EWH
Thank you for your comment Doctor!
>> Typically, when surgery or previous infection lead to abnormalities of the urethra, these problems are apparent due to problems with voiding such as trouble starting or stopping urination or abnormalities of the urine stream. Since you don't mention these, they seem less likely.
Well, after urinating there always comes out 2 or 3 drips a bit later, but the urinating itself is okay (not like 4 years ago where it was sometimes hard to urinate).
About the infections. I guess 6 infections in 4 years is extremely much? :-( I did not found much other information here about repeat infections of the urethra. My doctor never really tested them. Do you think most of them where Gonorrhea or maybe some other infections? And can one see a diffirence?
>> Typically, when surgery or previous infection lead to abnormalities of the urethra, these problems are apparent due to problems with voiding such as trouble starting or stopping urination or abnormalities of the urine stream. Since you don't mention these, they seem less likely.
Well, after urinating there always comes out 2 or 3 drips a bit later, but the urinating itself is okay (not like 4 years ago where it was sometimes hard to urinate).
About the infections. I guess 6 infections in 4 years is extremely much? :-( I did not found much other information here about repeat infections of the urethra. My doctor never really tested them. Do you think most of them where Gonorrhea or maybe some other infections? And can one see a diffirence?
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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.
