Swollen on one side of meatus (at very tip of penis)

[freshwatertaffy]

Hi,

I am a 24 year old male, virgin. I noticed this swollen part on my meatus (see picture, it's on the right side) several weeks ago after intense cycling with cotton boxer briefs on and also, I was masterbating with the cotton boxer briefs on.

Is this anything? I also have dermittis on my ears.

http://i.imgur.com/953XwP8.jpg

[freshwatertaffy]

Hi Dr. Kaur,

I am not sure if my reply is too late. I will be visiting the doctor in the coming days. I've noticed a clear white discharge coming from my penis after urinating and also, frequent urination. I thought it was normal since I've been trying to consume 1 gallon of water a day, but it has disrupted my sleep.

Even if there is no burning or itching, does this mean it could be urethritis and not meatitis?

Thanks again.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.

I can understand your concern for the swollen meatus and have checked the photographs.

From the symptoms and photographs, it looks like meatitis. Meatitis is inflammation of the tip of the urethra which causes the urethral opening to become red and inflamed. Although it is more commonly found in children and men after circumcision but can occur due to irritation, local trauma, cosmetics or chafing. Chafing occurs when the skin becomes irritated by the friction caused by rubbing – either against other skin or against a foreign material. However sometimes infection due to fungal causes or sexually transmitted diseases can also cause it. Given your history of being a virgin, the possibility of STD’s is ruled out.

Other than meatitis, urethritis is another possibility. Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra. It can be gonoccocal or non gonoccocal. But this is one of the last possibilities to be ruled out because it is accompanied by symptoms like purulent or clear discharge, dysuria and increase in frequency of urination.

In your case, it looks more like meatitis due to irritation by continuous rubbing of clothes. For the same I suggest you to stop applying anything, use mild soaps like Dove, use lubrication during masturbation or intercourse, wear cotton clothes and use plain Vaseline. Also get a KOH examination of the skin scrapings of the effected skin and a biopsy of small skin sample done if the symptoms persist. KOH examination of the area will clarify whether it is due to fungal infection or not.

Hope that this information helps and hope that you will get better soon.

Wishing you good health.

[freshwatertaffy]

Here is a more clearer picture. http://i.imgur.com/yDYsw06.jpg

[freshwatertaffy]

More information. There is no burning sensation during urination or masterbation (with lubricant, but have stopped doing for the past 9 days). It does not itch. It is not sensitive to touch. It feels practically normal, but is shiny and glossy and slightly red when I shine a light directly at it. It seems more red after urination, but I'm not exactly sure. I've noticed that my stream is straight, but when their is less flow, it curves to the left side (in the picture, the larger lip is on the right, but when looking down it is on the left).