I'm male, gay, recently 18 and I've been sexually active for approximately 4 years.
Just over a year ago I noticed a small lump on my scrotum. This lump was not particularly painful however developed quickly into what I can only describe as a very small sore/blister (remaining painless).
This quickly passed and disappeared completely and I forgot all about it.
A few months ago exactly the same thing happened in exactlythe same spot. This time, being older and slightly less naive I turned to google images in an attempt to identify the small red lump.. but alas; having searched through the murky depths of the Internet, looking at every sexually transmitted lump/bump under the sun, nothing I could find particularly resembled my lump - leaving me lost, with no explanation whatsoever for my mystical growth.
Today ive noticed that the sore/lump/blister has appeared again, in exactly the same place.. again; still painless (unless squeezed or prodded particularly vigorously) and I simply must identify it and then (if possible) treat it.
I would love to just go to my doctor but I suffer from crippling anxiety. Aged 18, I'm yet to attend an appointment without my mother! (Whom I most certainly couldn't tell about this..!)
I am currently in a non-committed sexual relationship with another man and I am concerned that, although I always "play safe"; if this is sexually transmitted, it might already be too late..
I was was wondering whether you might have recognised any of the symptoms..?
Alistair it sounds to me like a testicular epidermoid cyst (keratocysts) which is benign.
The reason I say this is because there appears to be no associated swelling of the testes.
Having said this you will not get any rest unless you get it checked-out by your doctor.
You have absolutely nothing to fear as doctors deal with this sort of thing all the time.
Even if it was a malignant tumour (which I don't think it is because it is the wrong shape and size) the survival rate is very high, but the advice is always to go to your doctor if you are not 100% certain what it is, and that is my advice to you.
You don't have herpes so you? I see you commenting, but not sure if it's because you're on the forum, because you have anything. I say this, because that is not a "lump", in the true definition of when someone describes a lump, such as in a breast.
That does look like a herpes side to me and not what you are deaxribing to jom as kertasis or whatever. So this leads me to believe you dont have herpes, which is why im asking. The only other thing that creates a sore/blister is cankoid disease, which really doesn't exist in developed countries.
Condoms only give you 30% protection from herpes. There is so much area that is not protected and exposed.
There is nothing more you can do, other than go to the doctor and request a herpes test at this point, to be sure w out a doubt. Heroes is not a text book, one size fits all disease. Most things on the internet are worst case. If your immune system handles it well, it most certainly can behave as it is w you. You just need to go to the doctors, there's no for sure way to know, w out going hun. You will be OK. I suffer from anxiety, but you just gotta push through
It is actually wrong of any of us to comment as to what something might or might not be from a photograph, but as the chap seem to be petrified of his doctor he might just be persuades to go if the word 'might' is mentioned.
You are not his doctor and neither am I, because if I was then we would not be having this discussion now.
Granted it could be Herpes, but then again it could be one or two other things including a testicular epidermoid cyst, which is what I suggested just to give him just one of the possibilities.
The point is that whether he likes it or not he has to get himself down to his doctor.
Incidentally condoms give less protection against Herpes type 2 (HSV-2, or genital herpes) than you might think.
Whooaaa... First off you need to chill out. I asked you that in a kind manner and you are on the attack.
.yes, I do have herpes, hence why I was asking you. I just haven't seen anyone follow an STD forum before that has no STDs. I asked, because I wasn't sure if you have herpes and may have an idea what they look like from experience.
Actually it isn't wrong to comment and if that's what you feel, then you shouldn't be commenting and you do it quite often and usually I agree w you on posts, if you haven't noticed, but you are getting way too defensive right now from a simple inquiry. People come here specifically for advice, so NO it is not wrong to comment.
It definitely is not that cyst, you need to Google image pictures. They also don't go away on their own, w out intervention of a one sorts. Notice how he describes it w the word blister? Yeah, nothing of a cycst would anyone use the term blister.
Look at the studies regarding protection from using a condom against herpes. It is 30%.. So I'm not sure where yiu arw going w that comment. A bit of a tirade, because you got so defensive I am guessing.
Sorry if you feel that I attacked you, but that was not intended.
From an experience point of view I am now 71 years of age and dare I say it, but my job before I retired brought me into contact with many diseases and illnesses alike for the best part of 36 years.
This is why I know that a firm diagnosis should only be made by a GP, Specialist or other suitably qualified person after examining the patient in person.
Guesswork hardly ever works, and is not in the interest of the patient as it can often cause unnecessary anxiety for them.
This is why I said that he should visit his own GP, or even just pop-in to one of the many Sexual Health Clinics (also known as Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) Clinic) that can be found up and down the country.
You say you have contracted Herpes yourself, but as this chap has no firm diagnosis then it is impossible to say for certain that you have anything in common with him.
I'm sorry that we have clashed on this one, because normally I find your posts very interesting and of good quality.
I absolutely agree with you, but as I've found like yourself, so many have this fear of going. One thing I noticed in regards to British citizens, is some are not going to the doctors, stating they do not want this on their record and to follow them. When I ask about the reason behind this, they never elaborate. I find they are ordering antivirals online, which I do not understand how that is possible, as in the states you cannot do that.
I agree we cannot give firm diagnoses, but from my perspective and experience, I will advise on what that is. In my experience, that looks like it COULD be. The next question I would ask is, is there any tingling sensations leading up to finding the sore, any itching, any strange sensations of the sorts? I know I have had obs w none of your typical warning signs. Some people itch and some don't. .. And as I mentioned before, there really is no for sure answer, unless he does go get tested.
You are perfectly correct that British men in particular do not like going to visit their doctor. Where women are concerned they tend to be a lot more sensible and go when they have to.
As for ordering prescription antibiotics on the Internet without having a prescription, well it's the same over here as it in the States - not permitted.
Alistair doesn't mention tingling or itching and that's another reason why I'm leaning towards the cyst (Sebaceous or othewise) theory, but it's only a theory.
Another thing that occurred to me was maybe it was Folliculitis or maybe even run-of-the-mill Fordyce Spots.
Whatever his situation we certainly agree that he needs to get tested.
Thank you all for such swift and in depth responces. I apologise for not being able to answer any queries, I've just got home from work!
The **insert correct term for whatever it is** appears to have faded slightly since last night and now is just ever so slightly raised and reddened.
I wouldn't say it's been itchy; maybe slightly 'prickly' when compressed or interfered with.
I do intend to attempt to see my GP eventually.. I couldn't make any promises i'll get around to it immediately(!).
My main concern is if this is sexually transmitted - what on earth am I supposed to say to those for whom it may or may not already be too late? I couldn't possibly trace exactly when this started, would I have to try and contact every encounter out of courtesy?