Burning sensation in tip of penis - not an STI, helpless!

[nldeepweb]

This may sound like a thousand other posts here, but since early December I've been experiencing a burning / tingling sensation in the head of my penis. I had fully protected sex (oral and vaginal) with a new partner at the end of November, and immediately went into panic mode that I had caught something, despite this being fairly unlikely due to the fully protected nature of the sex.

I got tested privately for gonno and chlamydia out of panic. The results for such came back as negative. As I paid for the tests within the 2 week incubation period for those infections (when testing is only recommended if symptoms are present), I then tested again using the NHS (I'm in the UK. Gonno and chlamydia both came back negative again. But of course, the symptoms persisted.

And so I spoke with a sexual health nurse over the phone, fearing that I had NSU or NGU instead.  - I described all of the above, and the nurse told me it would be near impossible to contract NSU from completely covered sexual activity for oral and vaginal. With that immediate dismissal, I breathed a sigh of relied, and enjoyed Christmas with my family. The burning/tingling seemed to go away, but I'm not sure how much of that was in my head, with me not focussing on the problem. Anyway, after Christmas, the symptoms either came back or I couldn't ignore them any more, and so I went to my doctor.

I told them I had been tested for the regular STIs and the Dr gave me a single antibiotic dose (I think for yeast or fungal infections) and an over-the-counter anti-fungal cream. I used this for several weeks, to no avail. I returned to the Dr, who had a nurse dip my urine for a UTI, which was negative. I then did a further urine test the next week, which was sent to the hospital lab for further testing, I can only assume for kidney stones, other bacterias etc - they were a bit vague when I asked what this second urology was for. Of course, all of this came back negative.

So I went back to the sexual health clinic. I got seen in person this time. They took another further urine sample, examined me physically, and stuck a swab what felt like 2 inches down inside my urethra to test for NSU and urethritis. That was an unpleasant experience, I can assure you! They immediately analysed the swabbed cells under a microscope, and reported there was no signs of irritation or urethritis, much to my surprise. They sent the urine off anyway, and suprise suprise, this was also negative. The sexual health nurse suggested that I may be overthinking my symptoms out of guilt of cheating on my partner, and whilst I think there is an element of that here, there is definitely 100% a burning/tingling sensation in my urethra that was not present before November of last year.  

At this point I was at my wits end. I went back to a private testing service again, and ordered a fully STI screen of absolutely every single STI under the sun. I did a blood test for syphilis, hepititis and HIV, all of which was negative. I then did another urine test for gonno, chlamydia, and about 4 or 5 other more "obscure" STIs such as trichomonas, m-gen, ureoplasmia etc, as these are often the cause to NSU that the NHS cannot diagnose. The test even covered asymptomatic herpes shedding, from the rare occurence any small sores may have developed on the inside of the urethra. Everything was, to some relief, completely negative.

I returned to my Dr, this time steadfast in that I do not have an STI, and requested more tests. They did a blood test for bone issues, diabetes, blood cell counts, and most importantly in my opinion, PSA levels in the blood. After all of this, I saw no other alternative than prostatitis (even though I thought the same way about NSU until that was shot down). Of course, everything was clear, PSA levels were absolutely normal for my age (early 30s).

And so the Dr went the same way as the sexual health clinic. Saying I need to stop overthinking things and perhaps its my head, in so many words. But I know my body. And I know something is not right, even if its "just" a burning/tingling sensation in my penis.

I lasted about a week "ignoring" my symptoms when finally I called them back and asked please can we do something else. I now have a physical prostate exam scheduled for next week. but I'm not expecting them to find anything wrong with it.

I'm currently at my wits end mentally, and have spent 100s of hours probably, over the last few months, on forums such as this, looking for what could be an answer. I do have psoriasis, and sometimes i get inverse psoriasis where the top of my legs meets my groin, and I've considered maybe it has spread perhaps to my penis, but I've never been able to ascertain any physical symptoms of this (prosiasis is quite noticable).

If anyone, anywhere, has any ideas, suggestions or comments I would be eternally greatful. It's really started to effect my mental health and I fear it will ruin my relationship with my partner. Which would not be undeserved, but its driving me insane all the same.

Thank you to anyone who took the time to read all of this.

[savvasND]

You tests will always be negative to STD's probably. It could be a mechanical injury from rubbing and grinding due to oxalate deposits on the head of the penis. Try a low oxalate diet and see how it can improve. Check online what foods are high in oxalates and see if you can relate. If you already had kidney or gall stones then you do have an oxalate problem.

[nldeepweb]

Hi, thanks for responding.

I admittedly have never heard of this before (oxalates). I will look into it. Thanks so much getting back to me.

[savvasND]

That is my personal as well as professional experience. I will appreciate your future comments in case you see an improvement if you follow my advice.