Had unprotected oral sex 2 weeks ago, have been experience burning in penis

[Leoman787]

I made a very bad decision and had unprotected oral from a woman 2 weeks ago who said she was clean. About 2 days later i started feeling a mild burning sensation on my penis (my pee feels hot). And sometimes the tip of my penis feels sensitive, I can feel it rubbing against my pants. No other symptoms, no discharge, no pain. I got a urine PCR test twice already since then and all came back negative. I also got a urine culture done that came back normal. Today, I still feel the symptom but it feels like day by day it subsides, albeit very slowly. Like I feel 5 percent better each day. I'm just worried sick that this will last longer than I can imagine. Are the tests conclusive? Should I do another round of testing? Based on my very mild symptoms, should I be confident it'll go away soon? I feel like I do have something that the tests didn't detect. Thank you.

[Sara_MHModerator]

At this point, our members have done all they can to help you. Good luck with your urologist and we hope that you do follow up on counseling. Please see your inbox for a message from MedHelp Moderation.

***  thread closed ***

[auntiejessi]

The only way your tests aren't conclusive are if you're on antibiotics, or you've been on them within the past few weeks.

How's your water intake? Alcohol and caffeine? Increase water, decrease the others.

Is there a guilt or anxiety factor at play here? Don't discount those things. They can present with real, actual symptoms.

[Leoman787]

I've been drinking a ton of water daily. And quit caffeine ever since. No alcohol or drugs. Guilt and anxiety are through the roof daily. The symptom I don't think is a result of anxiety, because it feels very objective and it definetly lingers. I tell myself it'll go away within the next couple days but unfortunately it's still there. It's so frustrating and quite frankly destroying my life right now, as I've been worrying and only focusing on this besides more important matters. The symptom remains: a mild burning at the tip of my penis, my pee feels hot. All tests came out negative twice, no growth in urine culture, blood tests negative as well. The symptom feels like it's going away daily but by a very very small percentage.

[auntiejessi]

Okay, I'm not a counselor, but please find one. I'm not saying your symptoms aren't real, or that you don't even have something going on, but because you're "only focusing on this" and say that it's "destroying" your life.

I don't know if you went outside a relationship, or are experiencing religious guilt, or what is causing all this angst, but your life is not being destroyed. Putting some perspective on it, you got an unprotected blow job, right? Not the most earth shattering thing.

When they did the testing, did they only do STI testing, or did they send your urine for culture? I ask because there are all kinds of mouth bacteria and germs and such that can cause an infection in the urethra.

It's cold and flu season, right? And now every season will be covid season. All these, plus strep, adenovirus, and a bunch of others, can infect the urethra, and won't be detected unless the urine is sent of for culture, and not just STI testing. Since it's getting better, it might just be a virus.

This is just a guess. There is no way for me to definitively tell you for sure, and a urine culture might be negative now. If they haven't done that, it wouldn't hurt if you have insurance to cover it (if you're in the US and that's a concern).

[Leoman787]

I did indeed do a urine culture that came back normal, no growth. Should I do another one?

[auntiejessi]

I wouldn't. If it's getting better now, and there was nothing on the culture when it was worse, there won't be now.

If it isn't better in a couple of days, or it gets worse, follow up with your doctor. It's not an STI, and may be something coincidental that's urological.

[Leoman787]

Okay thank you. Your responses relieve some anxiety. One more question, so if you suspect it could be a virus, do I need antibiotics for that? Or is it something that will eventually go away?

[auntiejessi]

Antibiotics don't cure viruses, only bacteria. It just takes time to get rid of a virus, unfortunately.

[Leoman787]

Based on the info and your knowledge, how much longer do you think this will take to go away?

[auntiejessi]

I'm not telling you that's what you have. I don't know. That's why I said if it lingers more than a few days more, or starts getting worse, go back to your doctor.

You're getting better - that's the great part.

[Leoman787]

Update: just when I thought it was getting better, last night the symptoms shot back up and now accompanied by an occasional stinging pain at the tip. I'm gonna see a doctor tommorrow and take the whole round of tests again.

[auntiejessi]

Good, ask for a referral to a urologist. It's not an STI.

[Leoman787]

I've requested an appointment with a urologist. Not sure when though, but for now, the symptoms are the same and haven't gotten better. I've been spiraling into depression and constant anxiety for the time being for fear this just won't go away. I've put a pause on so many important things. Yesterday I had a big emotional meltdown.

At this point I just need reassurance that this will go away and its not too serious of a matter. If it's not an std or bacteria then i need to know at least it's something that'll go away. It's literally making my life a nightmare. Sorry for the rant. I hope you understand.

[GuitarRox]

Mental health can impact us physically including become hyper fixated on something. AJ recommended a therapist and I second that. You really have been told now clearly it isn't an std but you are refusing to accept that, the hallmark of anxiety. I'd treat your mental health and all of this could get better. Your exposure was always very low risk. Please seek professional help with your mental status as it is likely impacting all of this.

[auntiejessi]

"Literally making my life a nightmare".

Is this your first health issue? I hate to say this, but your life is not a nightmare, it might be some time before it gets better, it might be chronic, and might not be an easy fix.

It might even be all anxiety. You'd do yourself a real service if you get that treatment underway before you get this diagnosed. You have two issues here - mental health and physical health. Both need to be addressed. While you wait for the physical part to be addressed, start on the mental health.

[Leoman787]

The earliest appointment available for the urologist is on April 25th. This literally made my heart drop. I dont think i can wait that long.

I've been looking into something called bacterial prostatitis. Are my symptoms aligned with it? Can it be caused by a single sexual encounter such as mine? Right now I've only been getting the burning sensation with very slight prickly pain. My penis doesn't even feel inflamed or in pain. I don't feel pain in my pelvic or prostate. No fevers no chills. So I'm confused, as this seems likely a possibility.

What can you tell me considering this info?

[auntiejessi]

Since your urine cultures are negative, I'd think no on the bacterial prostatitis.

However, there is non-bacterial prostatitis.

Your symptoms don't align with either of them with just burning and a prickly pain. I'm not an expert on urology, and all your tests are negative, so I'm still not convinced this isn't anxiety.

You need counseling. Period. Whatever is happening to you physically, you need something to relieve your guilt (whatever is causing that) and your anxiety. You mentioned in your post in Urology that you halted your studies. Come on. Get some counseling. ASAP.

Call the urology office and get on a cancellation list. It's only about 5 weeks away. That's less than I thought it would be. Call and find a counselor today. Deal with the guilt and anxiety. You're going to need to do that regardless of what is going on physically.

This is not an STI. You need to accept that, too. I don't know if you feel some need for punishment, but whatever it is, it's not that, either.

[Leoman787]

I see what your saying about my mental health. As you would've guessed, alot of it comes from a detail I purposefully left out, and it's that I have a wife. The encounter outside our relationship was the stupidest mistake I've ever made. And I don't want to tell her ever about it, because I want our relationship to continue and i dont want her world to shatter.

Although I am consumed with guilt, I understand I must move on and be a better person, and change my habits and lifestyle. I want to leave my mistake behind me.

The thing that worries me is I've been holding off sex with her for a while until I know I'm in the clear. I don't want to pass anything on to her. I've already given her so many excuses and I don't think I can keep doing that.

Since no bacteria or std is present, am I okay to resume regular intercourse with her?

[auntiejessi]

I can't advise you what to do about your marriage. I'm not a marriage counselor, or even married.

I can say that if you are having symptoms, you shouldn't be having sex until you find out what is causing the symptoms. You can use a condom if you want, or give her pleasure, but tell your wife you feel like you have a prostate infection or something - that's not necessarily wrong.

Get a counselor. For real.