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Gonorrhea or UTI?
I went to see an escort about 8 days ago, and had fingered her and had protected vaginal sex (condom was on the whole time, except for an initial handjob). About 2 days ago, after a run, I noticed that my urinary tract was feeling somewhat irritated. I presumed it may have been from drinking too much coffee earlier in the day and so I hydrated myself amply. The irritation hasn't gone away (nor did it get worse). I do not have to go to the bathroom more than usual, and there is no burning sensation when I urinate, though the irritation is pretty constant. This morning, I woke up and found that my penis had discharged a very small amount of clear fluid over night, too small to give off any particular odor, which caused me concern. Is it possible that I may have contracted Gonorrhea or Chlamydia or some other STD from this encounter?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
Responding first to the title, before reading the question: Urinary tract infections (UTI), which by definition are not sexually transmitted, are rare in males under 40 years old. So statistically, gonorrhea probably is more likely than UTI. If you have had a recent sexual exposure, however, chlamydia or nongonoccal urethritis (NGU) are more common than either one. Also, the symptoms of UTi are quite different from those of gonorrhea, chlamydia, or NGU.
Now having read the question: I see that my opening lecture may not have been necessary; your closing question implies you know the basics about these STDs. But maybe it will be helpful for some users, so I'll let it stand.
With an intact condom that was in place for all penile vaginal contact, you really can't have any of these STDs from the sexual encounter 8 days ago. And as noted, a UTI is unlikely. Scant clear penile discharge, occuring at night and noticed in the morning, usually is pre-ejaculate fluid left over from a normal nocturnal erection. (You probably know that most men get erections 1-3 times a night, usually during REM/dreaming sleep. They are accompanied by pre-ejaculate fluid, just as when sexually aroused.) As for the slight "irritated bladder" sensation, I agree that food content, urine concentration, etc are more likely explanations. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and NGU generally don't cause this.
Obviously, you should be professionally evaluated if your symptoms continue or worsen, or if you keep having discharge that turns cloudy. Also, as someone who apparently is sexually active outside a monogamous relationship, STD testing is recommended from time to time (e.g. once a year) even if there have been no apparent lapses in sexual safety. If you haven't done this recently, perhaps this would be a good time, while it's on your mind. But not because of this particular sexual event or the symptoms you have described.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Responding first to the title, before reading the question: Urinary tract infections (UTI), which by definition are not sexually transmitted, are rare in males under 40 years old. So statistically, gonorrhea probably is more likely than UTI. If you have had a recent sexual exposure, however, chlamydia or nongonoccal urethritis (NGU) are more common than either one. Also, the symptoms of UTi are quite different from those of gonorrhea, chlamydia, or NGU.
Now having read the question: I see that my opening lecture may not have been necessary; your closing question implies you know the basics about these STDs. But maybe it will be helpful for some users, so I'll let it stand.
With an intact condom that was in place for all penile vaginal contact, you really can't have any of these STDs from the sexual encounter 8 days ago. And as noted, a UTI is unlikely. Scant clear penile discharge, occuring at night and noticed in the morning, usually is pre-ejaculate fluid left over from a normal nocturnal erection. (You probably know that most men get erections 1-3 times a night, usually during REM/dreaming sleep. They are accompanied by pre-ejaculate fluid, just as when sexually aroused.) As for the slight "irritated bladder" sensation, I agree that food content, urine concentration, etc are more likely explanations. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and NGU generally don't cause this.
Obviously, you should be professionally evaluated if your symptoms continue or worsen, or if you keep having discharge that turns cloudy. Also, as someone who apparently is sexually active outside a monogamous relationship, STD testing is recommended from time to time (e.g. once a year) even if there have been no apparent lapses in sexual safety. If you haven't done this recently, perhaps this would be a good time, while it's on your mind. But not because of this particular sexual event or the symptoms you have described.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad to have helped.
Fingering is risk free; this doesn't change my assessment or advice.
Fingering is risk free; this doesn't change my assessment or advice.
Dear Dr. Handsfield,
Many thanks for your very clear and informative answer. I will certainly go and get tested as a precaution in the coming days. I was concerned that somehow between fingering the escort to putting on the condom, my hands may have transferred some vaginal fluid onto my penis. Just to clarify, the mild irritation is only in the urethra and not the bladder, and I'm still at a loss in understanding what might have aggravated this now, but I appreciate your answer that an STD is not the likely cause.
In general, as you surmised from my question, I am sexually active outside a monogamous relationship and I see escorts about once a month. Does engaging in fingering even as I wear a condom while receiving oral or penetration increase my risks of contracting an STD more than the circumstances would imply ordinarily?
Many thanks again for your help!
Many thanks for your very clear and informative answer. I will certainly go and get tested as a precaution in the coming days. I was concerned that somehow between fingering the escort to putting on the condom, my hands may have transferred some vaginal fluid onto my penis. Just to clarify, the mild irritation is only in the urethra and not the bladder, and I'm still at a loss in understanding what might have aggravated this now, but I appreciate your answer that an STD is not the likely cause.
In general, as you surmised from my question, I am sexually active outside a monogamous relationship and I see escorts about once a month. Does engaging in fingering even as I wear a condom while receiving oral or penetration increase my risks of contracting an STD more than the circumstances would imply ordinarily?
Many thanks again for your help!
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
