[Question #6090] Mild itch - testing
70 months ago
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I have a mild urethra itch that developed nearly 2 weeks after unprotected sex with a girl (it comes and goes). No pain urinating or any discharge (except very small amount of I milk from way down the shaft like below my testicles) 8 days ago I took azithromycin and cephalexin since that's what they said would cure gonorrhea and chlamydia. Also took metronidazole 6 days ago. I tested for gonorrhea chlamydia and trich and all are negative. She was negative for these too.
Should I test for mycoplasma genitalum using NAA urine test as next step? Will the previous antibiotics hide a positive test result if I took it tomorrow, Or would presence of symptom like that mean the presence of bacteria? If it does make it invalid what's the earliest I can can I take this test? Are there any other STIs it can be?
She said she never heard of this STI so idk what to think. But still says she's clean. I'm scared but I think i ruled out most things with the tests but I want to get back with my wife. Thanks in advance.
70 months ago
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Idk if it matters she was 29 from USA
70 months ago
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Sorry it says it updated with a reply but it doesn't show up?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
70 months ago
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Welcome to the Forum. I had signed up to address your questions but had not finished my reply yet. FYI, we answer all questions within 18-24 hours of receipt and sometimes much more quickly. Clearly you are worried about your dalliance and, from the sound of things you have been on the internet looking for clues. Please don't worry. Irrespective of the nature of your partner, it is now clear that you do not have an STI. The symptoms of STIs do not come and go as you describe. Further, not only have you taken therapy that would cure most STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonas and much Mycoplasma genitalium) but you have tested negative for the most common STIs.
I would not worry about M. genitalium at this time. The role of MG as an STI is currently the subject of much debate except for persons with proven urethritis which has not responded to azithromycin therapy.
I also suspect that that focus that you are applying to looking for symptoms, including repeated self-examination can both cause symptoms and lead to detection of otherwise normal sensations that are overlooked when persons are not worried.
My advice is to accept your results and move forward, including returning to unprotected sex with your regular partner without concern. EWH
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70 months ago
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Thank your Dr Hook. I feel like it's always there but most of the time there's not an urge to itch, like it isn't intense. Also, she and I don't have contact anymore (random hookup while on vacation) so it's hard to just let.l it go. I completely accept the test results and believe them but I don't think can shake the worry over this last risk, so I would prefer to just get the test for the extra assurance. Knowing I took the azithromycin about 9 days ago (single 1g dose) along with Cephakixjn at same time, and then metronidazole 7 days ago (single dose), please Doctor what's the earliest that a urine test for MG would be reliable? (I regret taking the antibiotics now)
(I'm also going to see a mental health doctor for for this bout of depression and anxiety associated with this. Hopefully the combination of the test and some psychological help I can move on.)
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
70 months ago
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Thanks for the insightful follow-up. I agree, you are having a hard time letting this go and that you need to figure out a way to move forward. The way to do that is to get tested. You can be tested now. You are worried that you have MG which was not effectively treated by the azithromycin you have already taken. If you had MG and had failed therapy (both unlikely) then you will still have MG present. The other antibiotics you took would have no effect on MG either. My advice is to go on and test now. The currently available urine tests available for MG are very good. I anticipate that your test result will show that you are not infected.
I will leave this thread open for up to 30 days as long as you do not return with follow-up questions before you have your test results in the hopes that you will share your results when they become available. EWH
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70 months ago
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Thank you, Dr. Hook.
My test result for Mycoplasma Genitalium NAA came back NEGATIVE. I used Healthlabs.com which referred me to LabCorp, so it seems reputable. Have you heard of this lab service website?
So there is no Gonorrhea or Chlamydia based on the test almost 5 days after exposure, plus antibiotics. There is no Trich (never received my test result) based on partners negative result and my antibiotics regimen. There is no MG based on negative test result and the antibiotics.
As far as I can tell that's the lion's share of Urethritis causes. There seem to be others (adenovirus, E-B virus, ureaplasma ureal, haemophilus vaginella) but all those appear to be not really STI per se—imbalaces in normal bacteria for example. I'm comfortable with my results above but perhaps you can speak to someone of these non-traditional causes?
I still have this persistent slight discomfort that changes form here and there--sometimes an "icy-hot" feeling and other times very dull faint discomfort...anxiety?
Thank you so much again. Cheers.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
70 months ago
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Thanks for providing your follow-up. I think your additional negative tests clearly indicate that you did not require an STI. Now it is time to mo thanks for providing your follow up. I think your additional negative tests clearly indicate that you did not require an STI. Now it is time to MoveOn. be on without concern.
In every high-quality study of urethral irritation and NGU there are always 30 to 40% of cases in which no microbial cause for the irritation can be found. What might be causing this is unknown. Fortunately in these situations there is no demonstrable danger to sexual partners and over time these symptoms and irritation tend to resolve.
Thanks again for the follow up information. As you know it is now time for this thread to close. Please do your best to move forward without continuing concern. EWH
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70 months ago
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Thanks I am.
Psychologist appointment is booked too.
All the best.