Aa
Herpes concern
Dear Doctor,
53 year old male, sexually active hetero. I have had 4 different partners (4 sexual encounters) over the past 3 months, 3 with uncovered oral on me, all covered vaginal intercourse. No health issues other than mild prostadynia.
For a month (perhaps a little more) I have had one larger (1/8 inch dia.) very, very hard "lump"/bump on my penis shaft, about an inch down from the pubic bone, on top left of penis. It was initially painless (week or so) and later became tender, more so when pressure was put on it. After it became tender/painful, looking more closely at this revealed some smaller one's directly in line with it (not circling or clustering). Pressing on them is/was painful but not extreme or anything. All, including the smaller ones seem extremely hard, like pebble hard. The larger one seems to have grown and shrank and grown over this time. As the discomfort grew, there then became tenderness/discomfort in general in that spot, including the skin feeling irritated/very sensitive there. Clothed, sitting, I can sometimes feel "it" both from a surface standpoint and kind of penis ache.
At no time any broken skin, rash, or sores/ulcers with this. I guess the larger one looks red hued when larger but not bright or anything. Upon erection, at it's largest, kind of whitish - the whole thing, not a white-head like a pimple. When I press harder I can feel a straight line of about 6 or 7 hard, hard "bee bees", along the shaft, under the skin (seems kinda attached though) and they are sensitive when pressed. Only on this one side, not on the opposite side. Manipulation seems to make it worse.
Last HSV tests I had were a few years ago, including Western Blot. My numbers were so low that the Infect. Disease doc said if I ever got it it would have a helluva outbreak. In spite of that I am confused with this and can find online anything that would give me a clue what this is other than it seems like herpes presents in a lot of weird ways.
53 year old male, sexually active hetero. I have had 4 different partners (4 sexual encounters) over the past 3 months, 3 with uncovered oral on me, all covered vaginal intercourse. No health issues other than mild prostadynia.
For a month (perhaps a little more) I have had one larger (1/8 inch dia.) very, very hard "lump"/bump on my penis shaft, about an inch down from the pubic bone, on top left of penis. It was initially painless (week or so) and later became tender, more so when pressure was put on it. After it became tender/painful, looking more closely at this revealed some smaller one's directly in line with it (not circling or clustering). Pressing on them is/was painful but not extreme or anything. All, including the smaller ones seem extremely hard, like pebble hard. The larger one seems to have grown and shrank and grown over this time. As the discomfort grew, there then became tenderness/discomfort in general in that spot, including the skin feeling irritated/very sensitive there. Clothed, sitting, I can sometimes feel "it" both from a surface standpoint and kind of penis ache.
At no time any broken skin, rash, or sores/ulcers with this. I guess the larger one looks red hued when larger but not bright or anything. Upon erection, at it's largest, kind of whitish - the whole thing, not a white-head like a pimple. When I press harder I can feel a straight line of about 6 or 7 hard, hard "bee bees", along the shaft, under the skin (seems kinda attached though) and they are sensitive when pressed. Only on this one side, not on the opposite side. Manipulation seems to make it worse.
Last HSV tests I had were a few years ago, including Western Blot. My numbers were so low that the Infect. Disease doc said if I ever got it it would have a helluva outbreak. In spite of that I am confused with this and can find online anything that would give me a clue what this is other than it seems like herpes presents in a lot of weird ways.
Thanks Dr. Handsfield. I should have noted I recently did get tested for other STDs (my standard 6 month routine), just before this started (well the bigger lump was there but not sensitive/painful) and was clear. In parallel with this I have also been having what seems like progressing Prostadynia symptoms (new tail bone and perineal discomfort with sitting for a while, and some urinary symptoms). All together I guess it's just been weird/disturbing. I thought I'd start here with the penis part anyway. So, it's on to a urologist. I'll try to report back, particularly if you are right.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
Your symptoms are very suggestive of a condition called sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis, i.e. inflammation of a lymph vessel or a clot in a vein. Penile sclerosing lymphangitis is not an STD and is harmless. The cause isn't clear, but it appears to be more common in especially sexually active men and might result from minor penile trauma during sex. A slightly atypical feature is that most cases are more toward the end of the penis, usually in the groove between the head and shaft. But it can occur anywhere on the organ. Lots of information is available online; try a google search.
Whether or not you have sclerosing lymphangitis, I'm equally confident it isn't herpes or any other STD. (However, I can't agree with your doctor that your negative HSV blood test implies that if you ever catch HSV it will be an especially serious outbreak. The numerical results of a negative antibody test has no bearing on later herpes symptoms.)
My advice is that you see a doctor or clinic; if you aren't confident in your primary care doc's expertise in STDs and genital problems, consdier a urologist or dermatologist. I'll be interested in hearing the outcome, and whether my guess about the diagnosis is correct.
Best regards-- HHH, MD
Your symptoms are very suggestive of a condition called sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis, i.e. inflammation of a lymph vessel or a clot in a vein. Penile sclerosing lymphangitis is not an STD and is harmless. The cause isn't clear, but it appears to be more common in especially sexually active men and might result from minor penile trauma during sex. A slightly atypical feature is that most cases are more toward the end of the penis, usually in the groove between the head and shaft. But it can occur anywhere on the organ. Lots of information is available online; try a google search.
Whether or not you have sclerosing lymphangitis, I'm equally confident it isn't herpes or any other STD. (However, I can't agree with your doctor that your negative HSV blood test implies that if you ever catch HSV it will be an especially serious outbreak. The numerical results of a negative antibody test has no bearing on later herpes symptoms.)
My advice is that you see a doctor or clinic; if you aren't confident in your primary care doc's expertise in STDs and genital problems, consdier a urologist or dermatologist. I'll be interested in hearing the outcome, and whether my guess about the diagnosis is correct.
Best regards-- HHH, MD
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.
