[Question #12833] Epididymitis? Symptoms? Chlamydia?

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4 months ago
Hello, 

I have a lump at the top of my teste on my left testicle. It is painless. Hard like a marble. I have no other symptoms - no discharge, no dysuria, no pain, nothing. I’ve tried to squeeze out discharge but usually nothing comes out. Sometimes I’ve suspected a discharge but it would be after an erection and then the erection subsided and I would squeeze it out after maybe 10-20 minutes from my erection. 

I’ve had multiple partners unprotected, though I’ve had doxypep after each new partner. I typically see partners serially on one night stand basis. 

What could this lump be? Should I get checked? 
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
4 months ago
Greetings and thanks for your confidence in our services. I was logged in to the forum when your question arrived; most users should not expect nearly real-time replies!

Epididymitis always is quite painful and the entire testicle would be enlarged and very tender to touch. It does not cause this sort of problem; no STI causes a painless testicular lump. Anybody can squeeze a small amount of fluid from the urethra if they try hard enough; I urge you to stop looking for discharge and especially to stop squeezing your penis -- that can cause inflammation itself and even discharge that doesn't mean anything. (It sounds like you are seeing a bit of pre-ejaculate fluid, i.e. "pre-cum" naturally produced during sexual arousal. Stop trying to see more.) 

You definitely need to see a physician soon about the lump, preferably a urologist. Most such problems are not serious, but testicular cancer is always a possibility in this situation. So don't take chances with it.

Given your sexual lifestyle, it would make sense to be tested for common STIs. Given your use of doxy-PEP, you can be certain you will test negative for chlamydia and syphilis. And without symptoms, probably negative for gonorrhea and HIV as well.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD
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4 months ago
Would doxypep still be effective if taken 48 hours after exposure? Or 60 hours? 

What are common causes of this lump? 

Could it cause a sperm blockage? 
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
4 months ago
Research on doxy-PEP is still underway, but studies to date show it to be effective in preventing syphilis and chlamydia when taken up to 72 hours after exposure. It is not reliable against gonorrhea, but that would cause obvious symptoms you don't mention (pus dripping from the penis, painful urination).

We are not experts in all genital conditions, only STIs. I cannot say all causes of painless lumps, but the benign tumor called a fibroma and a cyst of some sort probably are common. I doubt "sperm blockage" could be either the result or the cause. See a urologist; diagnosis should be easy, based on professional exam and maybe ultrasound or other imaging.
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