Inflammation on Glans and Urethra. Photos. Has anyone had similar experience?

Men's health
1
Hx -Everything started about 6 months ago after having unprotected sex -2 Weeks after, random rashes started appearing over the glans, but would disappear after couple hours (middle photo) -Also the skin became dry and flaky -At the present day, the glans becomes inflamed during an erection (third photo) -When Flaccid, sometimes it looks normal, but can randomly turn red as well -The skin integrity has really changed, and unless I apply coconut cream or Vaseline, it becomes very dried out/wrinkled -Urethra opening is inflamed constantly and becomes more red after ejaculation. Also urinating wasn't painful before, but now after a couple months of inflammation it's starting to burn slightly after voiding -No fever, pain in testicles or any discharges

image

Tx -Seen 3 doctors, 1 gave antibiotics and blood test, 1 prescribed lotriderm, 1 said just use Vaseline and it will go away -Tests negative for chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV -Took 800mg of Cefixime and 1000mg of Azithromycin (I think this may have slightly helped, as I feel like it was less red for about 2 days) -Lotriderm for 2 weeks hasn't really made any difference Possible Dx Fungal or bacterial infection? bacterial prostatitis? Early onset of lichen sclerosus? Trichomoniasis? Herpes affecting/ damaging nerves? A combination of things? Thanks for looking, just wondering if maybe anyone has had similar experience? Also more photos with close ups

image

image

2

Hi maxpower, Thanks for posting your challenging case. Sounds like the doctors have looked at a number of infectious causes and treated you accordingly. Can I ask if you suffer from any chronic skin conditions on other parts of your body, such as eczema, psoriasis or seborrhoeic dermatitis?

And can I check if you're circumcised? I assume not.

Thanks, Adhari

3

Yes I have been diagnosed with very mild papulopustular rosacea by a dermatologist before. It only occurs on my face and breakouts occur very rarely (1 or 2 times a year). Also my mother has eczema on her hands, so maybe these skin conditions are related to what is happening on the glans.

I have partial circumcision, so only the tip of penis is exposed when flaccid.

Thanks for the reply and help.

4

I've also had a swollen meatus for 12 months. It started after excessive masturbation and oral sex. The pain got so bad in the tip if my penis that I ended up in A&E twice. I had pain in testicles and pretty much everywhere - really distressing. Like you, all tests came back negative although one doctor did say that there are bugs out there that they just don't know about. I was told I have prostatitis. I get stinging when I pee and after ejaculation. I wondered if it could be damage? Apparently, these things can take a long time to heal.

5

Hi maxpower,

Thanks for your medical history. The differential diagnosis of 90% of all penile rashes is covered by the top 5 conditions listed below: * Psoriasis * Seborrhoeic dermatitis * Contact vs irritant dermatitis * Eczema/lichen simplex chronicus * Lichen sclerosis et atrophicus * Lichen planus * Reiter syndrome * Scabies

You may want to see a dermatologist if you don't get much further with establishing the ultimate cause of your problem.

Rgds, Adhari

6

In a similar boat. I've had both Prostatitis suggested and non specific balanititis given as reasons.

Adhari. Question if you don't mind. Given lots suffering from similar symptoms which of those listed would be triggered by a sexual encounter and not picked up in general screening tests?

I have very similar to the above but have also had a bout of Epididymitis.

7

Hi, Any of the 3 conditions could be brought on by sexual intercourse: prostatitis, balanitis as well as epididymitis. It would depend on your symptoms and results of specific tests including ultrasound scans, etc. Adhari

8

Thank you. So like the others on this post all clear. Not had prostate looked at but would Prostatitis impact the glans like the pic's above? Also non specific balanitis must have some sort of underlying cause surely?

9

Prostatitis would not affect the glans in any way; balanitis has many causes but when someone mentions 'non-specific balanitis', what they actually mean is, "it's balanitis but I can't figure out what the CAUSE is".

10

When did you start getting pain? I don't really have pain, except for slight burning in the urethra and that only started recently.

Doctors confirmed you have prostatitis? And are you receiving treatment? Apparently its very long with several weeks of antibiotics if it's bacterial?

11

I spoke with a physician friend of mine today and showed him these photos. He said he did a rotation in an STD clinic before and has seen cases like mine that turned out to be bacterial prostatitis.

Do you think there's a chance balanitis could be caused by prostatitis in some cases maybe? Also the doctors I've seen haven't suggested prostatitis either.

12

Your situation sounds very similar to mine. I have similar symptoms but all my tests are negative. Doctors cant seem to tell me what is wrong. It is very frustrating and difficult to solve. From googling it seems to me that different antibiotics attack different bacteria. So it may be a bit of trial and error with the antibiotics to find the right one. So far i have tried doxy, cipro, azythro, and moxifloxacin with no luck. Let me know if you find something that works for you. I will probably give it a try.

13

I don't think balanitis can be caused by prostatitis- you should ask your doctor friend.

14

Mine started 12 months ago. Severe pain in urethra and testicles. i couldn't walk for 2 weeks. I had five different antibiotics, including a course that lasted 3 months, but none of them worked. The pain has lessened but still very much there. The doctors call it chronic prostatitis

15

Have people been tested for MG? The symptoms seem to match up and by all accounts can be tricky to get rid of. Mine said negative but dont know how accurate these tests are

16

Hi Steve80,

What is MG?

17

Yes, I was tested for MG and Trich and both negative. Trouble is, the more you read about these tests, the more you start to doubt their accuracy.

18

I think we have different symptoms, since I only have very mild pain at the tip of the urethra (or meatus). Do you have a rash or redness anywhere else on the penis?

But at least you have a diagnosis. From what I've read prostatitis is very difficult to treat, so just don't give up and continue trying!

I feel like my issue might be more eczema or dermatitis related.

19

Hi Douglas03229,

Do you have rash or redness on the glans as well?

Did doctors tell you the reason for prescribing those antibiotics? Like skin infection, urinary tract infection, prostate infection, etc.?

20

mycoplasma genitalium Its quite widespread and not routinely tested for in the UK. Fits the bill as complications in men are listed as symptoms include: pain on urinating discharge from the urethra (tube through which urine passes out of the penis) penile irritation and pain

Also can cause Epididymitis