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Swollen Glans and Discomfort
I am have an issue that has has been troubling me. I am a 25 year old healthy male with the following symptoms:
- A feeling I can only describe as general discomfort localized to the rim of my glans.
- Mild discoloration / redness and swelling of only the top of the rim of my penis. It is usually a light red to a purplish sometimes.
These symptoms are often mild but are pretty steady and get pretty annoying. The symptoms seem to worsen when I shower or have the urge to urinate. Both symptoms seemed to be linked as when one worsens so does the other.
The symptoms started 3 months ago and seemed to coincide with a sexual encounter that consisted of protected vaginal sex with a female whose background was unknown. The symptoms started approx 2-3 days after said encounter.
I have seen a GP about this issue and she believed it to be Gonorrhea or Chlamydia(Despite my telling her that my risk of exposure was extremely low). I was treated for both. I was given a shot of Azithromiacin and an oral antibiotic (Can't remember off hand - Maybe Cipro?). Regardless the tests ended up coming back negative and my urine was very clean. No white cells / proteins etc. Not even a trace as often is normal anyway. So since I have been doing some research on my own and found that Trichimonas can often create a tingling in the penis which doesn't quite match my dull sensation but seemed closer than anything else thus far so I mentioned this to her. I was told there was no way for the facility to test males but was treated with 2g Metronidazole anyhow. It has been a week since and no improvement.
So here are my thoughts; I think that it is possibly fungal? Maybe thrush but if so it would be an extremely mild case as I don't have the sort of rash usually associated with male yeast infections. It could always be another sort of fungal infection and it would make sense that it worsened considering the cocktail of antibiotics I have been given.
I know that Balanitis is the most common symptom with thrush so this is why I think it maybe something of that sort.
I am NOT experiencing any of the following:
- Discharge
- Painful / Dificult urination
- Ulcerations of any sort
This has been an ongoing issure for 3 months. Any guidance would be extremely helpful in getting this cleared up. Thank you in advance.
- A feeling I can only describe as general discomfort localized to the rim of my glans.
- Mild discoloration / redness and swelling of only the top of the rim of my penis. It is usually a light red to a purplish sometimes.
These symptoms are often mild but are pretty steady and get pretty annoying. The symptoms seem to worsen when I shower or have the urge to urinate. Both symptoms seemed to be linked as when one worsens so does the other.
The symptoms started 3 months ago and seemed to coincide with a sexual encounter that consisted of protected vaginal sex with a female whose background was unknown. The symptoms started approx 2-3 days after said encounter.
I have seen a GP about this issue and she believed it to be Gonorrhea or Chlamydia(Despite my telling her that my risk of exposure was extremely low). I was treated for both. I was given a shot of Azithromiacin and an oral antibiotic (Can't remember off hand - Maybe Cipro?). Regardless the tests ended up coming back negative and my urine was very clean. No white cells / proteins etc. Not even a trace as often is normal anyway. So since I have been doing some research on my own and found that Trichimonas can often create a tingling in the penis which doesn't quite match my dull sensation but seemed closer than anything else thus far so I mentioned this to her. I was told there was no way for the facility to test males but was treated with 2g Metronidazole anyhow. It has been a week since and no improvement.
So here are my thoughts; I think that it is possibly fungal? Maybe thrush but if so it would be an extremely mild case as I don't have the sort of rash usually associated with male yeast infections. It could always be another sort of fungal infection and it would make sense that it worsened considering the cocktail of antibiotics I have been given.
I know that Balanitis is the most common symptom with thrush so this is why I think it maybe something of that sort.
I am NOT experiencing any of the following:
- Discharge
- Painful / Dificult urination
- Ulcerations of any sort
This has been an ongoing issure for 3 months. Any guidance would be extremely helpful in getting this cleared up. Thank you in advance.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi.
With a previous allergic reaction, this may be something you want to look into. This may be likely as the involvement appears to be very superficial. You have no symptoms of pain or discharge .An infection may be readily ruled out here. I suggest you discuss this with your physician.
This does not sound like a fungal infection. You may need topical corticosteroids for this. Also, avoid tight underwear and wash the area with mild bland cleansers only.
An allergic reaction may persist given that an associated dermatitic reaction is present.
With a previous allergic reaction, this may be something you want to look into. This may be likely as the involvement appears to be very superficial. You have no symptoms of pain or discharge .An infection may be readily ruled out here. I suggest you discuss this with your physician.
This does not sound like a fungal infection. You may need topical corticosteroids for this. Also, avoid tight underwear and wash the area with mild bland cleansers only.
An allergic reaction may persist given that an associated dermatitic reaction is present.
I used a condom at the time of the seemingly associated sexual encounter but otherwise am in a monogamous relationship of 7 yrs and do not use condoms. I have had an issue with some latex (Just a wristwatch) in the past but would a reaction of that sort last for 3 months?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi.
For how long has this been present?
Balanitis may be a likely differential as balanitis may not only be associated with infections. An underlying psoriatic or dermatitic component may also present with discolorations or rash on the glans penis.
Looking at this on another angle, have you used a condom during sexual activity?
Do you have any known allergies?
An allergic reaction which may present as a dermatitis may help explain your condition. At this point, your tests appeared normal and there are no other associated signs and symptoms like fever, vomiting, rash and enlarged lymph nodes. You may discuss the possibility of this being an allergic reaction with your physician so you may be assessed along this line.
For how long has this been present?
Balanitis may be a likely differential as balanitis may not only be associated with infections. An underlying psoriatic or dermatitic component may also present with discolorations or rash on the glans penis.
Looking at this on another angle, have you used a condom during sexual activity?
Do you have any known allergies?
An allergic reaction which may present as a dermatitis may help explain your condition. At this point, your tests appeared normal and there are no other associated signs and symptoms like fever, vomiting, rash and enlarged lymph nodes. You may discuss the possibility of this being an allergic reaction with your physician so you may be assessed along this line.
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