[Question #11920] Follow up

11 months ago

Just a new thread

No pain when peeing but after work and seeing my partner before going in shower I noticed clear discharge, not a lot but enough to slightly overflow. Looked clear maybe a white spot I can't remember. This is around 40 days after and I was aroused 30 minutes earlier from neck kissing but I didn't get an erection.

In the morning I immediately checked to see if there was any discharge I didn't see any. Some liquid when I opened my urethra but I didn't squeeze it and nothing came out. I already went to get tested but have to wait and just wanted your updated thoughts. Do you still think the protected sex is enough to make it like very unlikely or is it just 50/50.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

11 months ago

I'm sorry you felt the need to return. And having read your just-completed discussion with Dr. Hook don't really understand what more you expect to gain. Dr. Hook gave you a number of reasons you have no STI from the sexual exposures you have described and I agree with all of them.

As for your new slight clear discharge: First, it occurred after you were briefly (if mildly) sexually aroused, and of course that often is accompanied by pre-ejaculate fluid ("pre cum"), which undoubtedly you have experienced before. Second, you could not have acquired a urethral STI or any other infection from the exposures described: condoms work! Third, if the discharge was due to infection, it would not be gone the next day. And fourth, 40+ days is far too long for first onset of such symptoms due to STI. If you went to be tested again on this account, that was a waste of money, time and emotional energy. The results will be negative.

Finally, how in heaven's name did you come up with thinking the chance you have an STI might be 50/50??? It is zero.

HHH, MD

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11 months ago

I actually like how irritated you guys get, not because I'm trying to be an asshole and waste time but what you're taught in school and by word of mouth can be scary especially when a loved one is involved. I was pretty stress free before the discharge and while yes I've had that before most commonly or rather every time I've ever noticed it was when I was close to well finishing either with myself or a girl. I'm sure it's happened before and I didn't notice but even though Google doesn't compare to your years of experience I've always at least thought that discharge of any kind is a red flag for Chlamydia especially if you have some dull testicle pain. Believe me I feel stupid and go over the odds in my head constantly. Apparently it's 4.5% transmission from female to male for unprotected vaginal sex for a one time thing and then I add a 90ish% chance of protection with a condom that has to fail first simply to get the minimal risk of the sti in the first place however when you start to at least on some surface level show things that appear to be Chlamydia it makes you think hey at some point someone has the be the guy that gets it. If you've had a 1000 of these questions and they all wore protection then one of us was unlucky and I'm not the type to get sick I don't usually even go to the doctor I let things kinda play out. For example I have had blood and pain in my stool for a year but I just chalk it up to hemorrhoids or anal tear or something from constipation.

I didn't cheat on my partner but I did see people when we broke up for a week and I had no worries of any sti because I used a condom (didn't fit correctly but certainly my tip) and when I thought I could be showing signs and then I would have given them to my partner it's something I'll gladly waste money on. I am however sorry I wasted your time you two are great and I genuinely mean it. Have a great day guys

11 months ago

And to clarify because I never did I would much rather be made to feel stupid for believing something than just reassured because ironically its much more like calming to know it's a laughable notion to you and a waste of time that puts my mind at ease. Anyways I won't respond again all the the best to both of you and best wishes

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

11 months ago

Sorry if you don't like a direct or assertive communication style, but we do have an expectation -- which we think is reasonable -- that questioners will read, absorb, and believe our replies. It was absolutely clear from Dr. Hook that you had no STI (and none was even possible, for all practical purposes) from the sexual exposures you described.

Your risk was a lot lower than your calculations, especially because you misunderstand condom efficacy. A properly used condom that doesn't break is closer to 99% (probably truly 100%) protection against gonorrhea, chlamydia, or other urethral infections. The 90% figure you cite is "use effectiveness", which accounts for human error, breakage, memory about exposures, etc -- in other words, the average effectiveness over hundreds of different users and hundreds of exposures. Proper use without breakage is referred to as biological effectiveness, which is the case here.

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11 months ago

Condom was put on with mouth and wasn't a perfect fit your opinion stays the same?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

11 months ago

Correct.

That concludes this thread. Please note the forum policy against repeated questions on the same topic. Do your best to ignore any more "what if" or "am I the exception" sorts of ideas that come to mind. Trust me: there is nothing you will think of that would have any chance of changing our evaluation and advice. But I'll make a deal with you: if somehow it turns out you have an infection that might have come from the exposures on your mind, please return to let us know and we'll refund your posting fee.

Best wishes and stay safe.

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