[Question #5903] Pain in end of Penis

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72 months ago
Hi Doctors.
In the past three months I have had an occasional pain in end of my penis. I'd describe it as an irritation of sorts...not sharp but dull. It seems to occur when I'm stressed out, as i have been several times of late, and fades away for weeks at at a time, only to return.  There are no spots, no discharges.  I tend to obsess about it when it occurs, so I had a full set of STD tests (Hiv, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HPV, Herpes, trich)  and all of them came back negative. (Hell, I had the Chlamydia & Gonorrhea test twice.)  I also seem to suffer from occasional bouts of Sexual Dysfunction, and  occasionally suffer from some  severe anal itch, which up until recently I had attributed to my Seborrhea dermatitis. My General Practitioner had no ideas as to what it could be, but did note that the end of my penis was more sensitive than typical. He recommended a urologist, which I have yet to schedule. It freaks me out when i get it, as I'm prone to anxiety. I haven't had any risky sexual encounters for years.  Any idea what it could be? Could it be caused by stress, and anxiety or some kind of fungus associated with the anal itch? Is there some kind of STD I haven't looked for?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
72 months ago
Welcome to our Forum.  I'll be glad to comment and hope that you'll find my comments helpful.  Although I am not confident it will help me to provide you with advice, you do not mention whether the pain you are experiencing is on the surface of the penis or on the inside.  Does it occur or is it relieved with erection? You also do not mention how long it lasts, how severe it is (does it keep you from working or interacting with others?), how long it lasts or whether there are things that make it better or worse.  All of this sort of information may provide clues to what is going on.  

What I can, with complete confidence assure you is that such symptoms are not, in any way, suggestive of any STI (as your tests have proved).  I would not worry in the least that this is a sign of an STI.  

I hope this comment is helpful. Please do not worry in the least about STI as a cause of this problem.  EWH
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72 months ago
Thanks much for getting back at me. It doesn't occur with an erection, though it doesn't go away with it either. The pain is largely on the end of the penis, on the inside, an maybe a bit on the outside. of the urethral opening. It's not severe...just achy, annoying, and anxiety inducing. The last bout lasted a week or so during a very stressful period. The current bout started Tuesday or so. It seems to act up most after I've been sitting or laying down, or if I think about it, I would call the length of each pain a 'pang.' If i can really relax...maybe go for a walk or even have a beer with friends, it seems to lessen.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
72 months ago
Thanks for the additional information.  Once again, and reflecting my area of expertise, this is not an STI- of this I am quite certain.  As to what it might be, I would thing asking a rusted urologist for an evaluation would be a good idea.  EWH---
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72 months ago
Thank you. I've had trouble finding one who will take me, with my insurance, but I'll try again. You do great work here.
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72 months ago
Took a look around my searching for a urologist...not sure if this is indicative of my symptoms: https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/the-tension-headache-of-the-groin/
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
72 months ago
Good question.  I considered prostatitis as I considered your question but my sense is that your discomfort is more towards the tip of the penis rather than at the base.  The prostate gland is at the base of the penis, deep under the skin and between the base of the penis and the anus.  Among the symptoms of prostatitis is, as was said on the web site you shared, "Pain between the scrotum and anus, which is the area called the perineum".  The discomfort of prostatitis also tends to be more persistent rather than the having it come and go as you describe.  I suspect that if you see a urologist he/she may test for prostatitis but I think that is unlikely as the cause which is why I did not suggest it.  

We provide up to three responses per question and this is my 3rd response. This this thread will be closed shortly without further responses.  I hope that my thoughts have been helpful to you.  EWH
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