[Question #10102] So many Drs-Month-long STI Anxiety

25 months ago

Since the start of the year I've engaged in muutal masturbation outside my marriage. On 5/25 I got an itch on my penis at work. 1.5 hours later it was inflamed, pink, itchy/stingy. It never ulcered or blistered but covered an area about the size of a quarter.

I developed other symptoms including a hot itchy groin and achy testicles. I first went to my dermatologist on 5/30 who thought I may be dermatitis. and recommend a steroid cream, which I used. On 6/1 I went to an STI clinic and the doctor said my penis looked fine but I had jock itch. I went back on 6/8 with the same diagnosis and no testing recommendation.

6/13 at my derm. follow up the dr. said my penis looked normal.

6/22 Urologist said I looked fine but ordered an STI panel to ease my worries. Everything came back negative but I am waiting on my syphilis test still. Never saw a canker or body rashes

What are the odds the test will be negative? Does it sound like HPV or herpes? Am I overthinking?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

25 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. Like your urologist, I anticipate that you tests will be negative. It is statistically unlikely that either of your partners had an STI and even if one of them did, nothing you describe suggests a risk for STI. Mutual masturbation is agreed upon by all experts, including both of us on the Forum, to be a no risk sexual event. This is the case even when partners get each other's genital secretions on each other.

You have now been directly examined by two trained experts, both of whom agree that there were no abnormalities other than a possible fungal infection (and fungal infections are NOT STIs). Testicular aches are a common sign of anxiety among Forum users but the sort of discomfort you describe does not suggest an STI. Nothing you describe suggests herpes and HPV is common among unvaccinated persons but your symptoms in no way suggest HPV which is typically asymptomatic unless there is a visible wart which, on the basis of two examinations you do not have.

i anticipate that your tests will be negative. When they are, I encourage you to move forward without continuing concern. EWH

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25 months ago

Thank you so much Dr. Hook! When I returned to the STI clinic, the Dr was very nice but, with a tinge of exasperation, asked me to stay OFF the internet. I've read enough on here to know mutual masturbation is low-risk - but you cannot help but freak out when a rash develops.

The STI panel DID come back negative. But my visit to the urologist did also yield results that a may be developing kidney stones. I will find out about syphilis on Thursday and will let you know.

Sometimes when I check my penis, it still looks red to me, but most times normal. I've also read on here that STI's rarely present symptoms that come and go. Should I still assume that's true?

And because multiple doctors have reviewed my penis on multiple occasions, all saying it looks normal, I can be safe in assuming that I am just paying too much attention to things that are normal sensations and routine parts of my genitalia ?

Thank you so much!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

25 months ago

The advice you received to stay off the internet is good advice. It's hard to tell what is correct there and what is not and mall too much is either out of date, taken out of context or sometimes just plain wrong.

Self examination, particularly when performed too often or too vigorously can also lead to unnecessary alarm. There are lots of otherwise normal sensations and discolorations which we would otherwise overlook abut when anxious notice and get unnecessarily alarmed about. The signs and symptoms of STIs do not come and go- if anything they tend to get more prominent over time.

Your statement that you are looking too often and too carefully is right on target. Believe your test results. I urge you to put your concerns aside and move forward without continuing concern. EWH

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25 months ago

Thank you Dr. I'll do my best to relax and put this behind me. I'll leave my replies here, except to report back on my syphilis test.

25 months ago

Afternoon Dr. Hook,

As you and my urologist predicted, my test did indeed come back negative. I am feeling much relieved and like I can put this all behind me. I can safely resume sex with my wife?

25 months ago

After your reply, you can of course end the thread.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

25 months ago

Thanks for the follow-up information. It is now time to stop worrying and to move forward without concerns. No need to abstain prom unprotected sex with your wife, no need for further testing. Again, I urge you to stay of the internet. Take care. EWH---