[Question #9712] WORRIED ABOUT URETHRITIS
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29 months ago
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Good afternoon, Dr. Handsfield. Excuse my English, I'm from South America (using a translator). This is my case:
On December 29, 2022, I had a risky sexual contact. A promiscuous girl (friend) gave me oral sex for 30 seconds without protection. Since that day I have been experiencing great anxiety and stress (in the past I have already been treated for fear of the disease). I see symptoms all over my body, however I have ruled them out since they have done tests:
RPR (4 and 7 weeks negative).
HIV (4 and 7 weeks negative).
Gonorrhea PCR (3 weeks negative).
Chlamydia X3 antigen (6 and 7 weeks negative).
Herpes (4 weeks negative).
As a result of my anxiety episodes for which I am in treatment, in week 6 and for two days I experienced some burning in the urethra, with frequent urination (which scared me a lot because I thought it was gonorrhea or chlamydia). This was removed after two days. However, in week 7, that is right now, I am feeling the same thing, frequent urination and feeling that I have urine left in my bladder, I go to the bathroom every hour or every 2 hours, this is not normal for me. I have no burning, no discharge, no pain when urinating. After all the tests, the doctor tells me that he can't do anything else for me. He says that I need to calm down and reduce my anxiety. But reading online I think I may have UNG or urethritis. I have no secretions, my glans is dry, nor does it burn when I urinate. Just frequent urination. Could this be NGU? Very scared, with constant panic attacks and anxiety. Psychiatric patient. Thank you very much Dr. Handsfield.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
29 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum and thanks for your questions. Dr. Handsfield and I share the forum and on this occasion I happened to pick up your questions. I'll be glad to comment.
The exposure you describe was low risk and your subsequent testing proves that you did not acquired gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes or HIV from the exposure. This is not an unexpected result as even with relatively risky partners, most single exposures though oral sex do not result in infection. In addition, 2 days of self-limited burning on urination 6 weeks following an exposure does not suggest STI- it may suggest that you were not drinking enough water. Further, FYI urinary frequency is NOT a sign of STI but it IS a sign of anxiety.
On occasion, following receipt of oral sex, introduction of a partner's oral bacteria may cause some non-specific irritation which is self limited and does represent a risk to those who experience, nor their sexual partners. Your symptoms however occurred far too late for this to explain your symptoms
I hope that this information is helpful to you. I urge you to work with your health care providers to address your anxiety and move forward. There is absolutely no need for further testing, nor for concern. EWH
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29 months ago
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Muchas gracias Dr. Garfio. Eres una eminencia.
Estoy trabajando mi ansiedad con ayuda profesional y con vuestra respuesta estoy mas tranquila. Ahora para cerrar el tema, me gustaría hacerle 3 preguntas.
1. ¿Puedo descartar que tengo UNG? Y si ese fuera el caso, como era uretritis no clamidia, mis futuras parejas no estarían en riesgo, ¿no?
2. ¿Existe evidencia de que la ansiedad pueda causar estos síntomas después de arrepentirse de exposiciones sexuales riesgosas?
3. En la semana 7 tomé Doxiciclina por un forúnculo que me salió en la axila, supongo que por el estrés y la ansiedad. ¿Podría eso haber interferido con mis pruebas de Clamidia?
Gracias Dr. Garfio.
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29 months ago
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I'm sorry, the antibiotic I took for the boil was dicloxacillin.
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29 months ago
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Thank you very much Dr. Hook. You are an eminence.
I am working on my anxiety with professional help and with your response I am calmer. Now to close the subject, I would like to ask you 3 questions.
1. Can I rule out that I have UNG? And if that were the case, since it was urethritis non-chlamydia, my future partners wouldn't be at risk, right?
2. Is there evidence that anxiety can cause these symptoms after repenting of risky sexual exposures?
3. In week 7 I took Doxycycline for a boil that came out in my armpit, I suppose due to stress and anxiety. Could that have interfered with my Chlamydia tests?
Thank you Dr. Hook.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
29 months ago
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1. Can I rule out that I have UNG? And if that were the case, since it was urethritis non-chlamydia, my future partners wouldn't be at risk, right?
Nothing that you describe suggests that you have NGU. Similalry, there is nothing in your post to suggest that the encounter you desvcribe above put you or future partners at risk.
2. Is there evidence that anxiety can cause these symptoms after repenting of risky sexual exposures?
Anxiety commonly results in persons being increasingly aware of normal sensation as they look for symptoms. They then mistake these normal sensations for symtoms that are not really there.
3. In week 7 I took Doxycycline for a boil that came out in my armpit, I suppose due to stress and anxiety. Could that have interfered with my Chlamydia tests?
No
EWH
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29 months ago
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Thank you Dr. Hook, you are very kind.
One last question before the admins close this thread.
No discharge, no dysuria, no genital irritation, negative Chlam and Gon tests, what percentage do I have of having acquired urethriris?
My only symptom is tenesmus and frequent urination. However, I have been experiencing generalized anxiety for two months, with high cortisol and a lot of stress. I have read, especially in some of Dr. Handsfield's answers, that tension in the pelvic muscles can cause urinary or bladder symptoms. Could this be what is happening to me?
I know I'm being annoying, doctor, but I promise I won't ask you anymore.
Thanks for everything Dr. Hook.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
29 months ago
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Final Responses:
You continue to worry unnecessarily. You do not have urethritis.
Tenesmus and urinary frequency are NOT symptoms or STI, including urethritis. They are symptoms of anxiety however. Your symptoms could certainly be due to anxiety.
End of thread. Take care. Please don't worry. EWH
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29 months ago
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Thank you Dr. Hook.