[Question #7762] Red spot(s) on head of penis

52 months ago

Hello. Please help. So I’m 29 yo male. Healthy. And uncircumcised. I’ve had unprotected one night stands with 4 woman and visited some csw. With those they were protected. The last time I went to one was January of this year and it was a hand job. I have sex with my girlfriend. Any ways I’ve been noticing at least small red dots on the head of my penis. They look sunken well the color of it for some. There are only a few. I have had no symptoms what’s so ever. No discharge. Just wanted to know if these are std related? I’ve had been tested before and all negative. But still wanted to know why I have em. Also after me and my girlfriend have sex I shower later on. So idk of that makes a difference thank you.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

52 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.

Red spots of the head of the penis in uncircumcised men are very common -- just garden variety inflammation (balanitis) and almost never due to any STD. If your girlfriend has a vaginal candida (yeast) infection, that could be the origin. But most balanitis cases result from growth of normal bacteria or yeasts. Showering with your partner has nothing to do with it.

So I see no STD worries in regard to your symptoms. And there was certainly no STD risk from your most recent commercial sex contact; hand-genital contact is risk free.

Try washing with soap and water a couple of times daily, with the foreskin retracted. And if your partner has any vaginal irritation or itching, she might be evaluated for yeast infection. If you continue to have the red spots or irritation, see a doctor for further evaluation. But you really needn't be worried about STDs.

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

HHH, MD

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52 months ago

Hello sir and thank you for your response.

Just curious why these spots which come out in the same place each time I have sex. Come back or try a new soap. Like the spots are there on one place and don’t leave.

So with no symptoms these are normal ?

Thank You again

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

52 months ago

Thanks for the additional description. Balanitis would affect the entire head of the penis, spots all over. So maybe not balanitis at all, if they are localized. This sounds like they are related to blood flow (increased with sexual arousal and sex itself) -- suggesting they may be small hemangiomas. These are tangles of blood vessels -- when large enough to cause a red bump on the skin, they're often called blood vessel moles (a misnomer -- they aren't moles at all). In any case, still no STD concerns based on your description.

All this is just a best guess -- we can't diagnose anything from afar. See a physician for exam if you remain concern -- ideally a dermatologist. But in the meantime, I still don't think you need be worried. Almost certainly it's nothing serious.

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52 months ago

Thank you again and one more thing I masterbate everyday will that be another factor.?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

52 months ago

I suppose if you're overly vigorous, some irritation migth result. Otherwise my comment about blood flow would apply.

That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question, and so concludes this thread. I hope the disucssion has been helpful. Take care and stay safe.

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