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Answered Questions

In the years since SmartSexResource launched, we have developed a library of questions asked by you, and answered by our expert sexual health nurses.

Our answered questions library cover a broad range of sexual health topics and common questions we hear at our clinics.

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What to do if

STI Symptoms (135)

I had unprotected sex with a girl in around mid 2013, and my penis was kinda red and kinda stung, I never thought anything of it for some reason. I was in a don’t care mind state. I never got it checked out until 2015 and the jail doctor said it was all good, but I don’t trust his opinion. my penis right now is noticeably slightly red and uncomfortable sometimes. I got tested for hiv and the clap and clamidua and shyphilyes and all came back negative. I don’t know what it is but I know it is not normal.what can it be?

Hi

It’s great that you went for a test and that they were all negative. If one of these STI would have passed to you in 2013 it would have certainly shown up on a test you had done in 2015.

It is common for us to see people in the STI clinic with the symptoms you have described. Most of the time we find that it is something that is non-STI related like a yeast infection, a skin condition etc…

Diagnosing skin conditions can always be a challenge as much of the time there is no test available to see what is causing the problem.

If you’re not happy I would recommend getting a second opinion from another doctor. If they are unsure what is causing the problem they can always refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist) to get their opinion.

If your still in jail and only have access to the same doctor you could always put in a health care request when the symptoms are there worst and see if they have a different opinion.

We know it can be very frustrating when you are trying to work out what is causing this problem for you. We are unable to diagnose conditions online as we would need to see it as well as look at your medical history.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on October 5, 2015.

This answer was updated on February 7, 2022.

I have some itching on the bottom of my penis close to the stomach. I have always used a condum during sex and my partners all said they had no stds.

Hi

It is difficult to diagnose conditions online as I would need to see it, take a medical and sexual history and do some tests. What I can do is give you some general suggestions on what it could be and what you can do next.

It’s great that you have been using condoms as that will lower the chance of something passing to you.

It’s common to have itchy skin on the genitals from time to time. Most of the time this can be caused by non-STI things like dry skin, sensitivity to a certain product that was put on the genitals, rubbing of underwear etc…

An STI like pubic lice could also cause the genitals to itch as well.

As you are concerned that it could be an STI I would recommend going to see a health professional for an exam and STI test. You could visit your family doctor or a local walk in clinic for this. You can also have a look at our clinic finder for a clinic in your area.

It is also common that many STI do not show symptoms. Given this we recommend that people go for STI testing. How often you get STI testing really depends on your personal situation. Have a look at our page on when to test.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on September 23, 2015.

Hi Nurse I have a small painless lump near the beginning of my penis. Could this be an STI?

Unfortunately we cannot diagnose online. The only way to know for sure if this bump is cause by an STI is to have it checked by a health care provider. They will be able to take a full health history from you and do any testing that may be needed.

You can use our “Find a clinic” function to locate a clinic in your area.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.
 

This answer was posted on August 9, 2015.

This answer was updated on February 7, 2022.

Why do i bleed every time i have sex, I’m worried please help…

Bleeding during or after sex can happen but if you are bleeding every time you have sex then it is time to go to your doctor, an STI clinic or other health care provider. They will be able to take a full health history from you, do any needed tests and find out why this is happening.

You can use our “Find a clinic” function to locate a clinic in your area.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information,

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on August 8, 2015.

I received protected oral sex from a woman I didn’t know well. We also kissed. I checked the condom after and there were no leaks. This was six days ago and for the last three days, I have a mild burning sensation on the tip of my penis. Note: I have no discharge or any other symptoms. This is causing me anxiety. She said she was clean. I do not fear that I have HIV but instead wonder if my pain, without secondary and obvious symptom, is psychosomatic. I have mild to moderate anxiety and I have guilt regarding this sexual encounter. More and more I grow irrationally convinced that I have somehow(almost impossibly) contracted gonorrhea or chlamydia. I am obsessively checking my penis and touching it out of discomfort.An STI test will definitely put my mind at ease but until I can get one that will have a degree of accuracy I need reassurance from a professional.Thank you

As you are experiencing symptoms we do recommend that you get tested (see When to test). The burning sensation you have noticed may be psychosomatic but it is a change so testing is a good idea.

You said that you are worried about Gonorrhea and Chlamydia but keep in mind, we do not see these being passed through protected oral sex.

You also said that you have mild to moderate anxiety so you may like to check out our page on “Worry and anxiety”.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.
 

This answer was posted on August 8, 2015.

Dear Sir/Madam, I am a male and had protected sex with a red-light girl(sex worker) abroad -in Holland-. But, I used one condom for both oral and vaginal sex. Although the sex was with condom and the condom was not broken, I was worried because didn’t know the girl’s background and took STD and HIV tests (blood and urine) two months later( 60 days exactly after the sex). The answer was negative fortunately and I was totally healthy regarding STD and HIV. Now, around 7 months passed from that sex. I’ve had an aphthae on my tongue for a few days. I know there are different reasons for that.But, I read somewhere that it might also show your weak body system because of HIV ! I’m again really worried. Do you think my aphthae can be known as a sign of HIV ? and do you think I should have taken the test three months after the sex too? or two months show the real result if your have HIV/Aids ? I really need your opinion. Thanks in advance

We know condoms are a very effective way to prevent HIV infections. You used a condom for both oral and vaginal sex and they did not break, so I do not think you should be concerned that HIV is the cause of your Aphthae.

The activity you described has a very low risk for HIV transmission and so a negative test at 60 days is a very good indication that no infection happened. Testing 90 days after would be more for your own peace of mind and not because there is any real chance that the result would change.

Most people who are infected with HIV will have a positive test result 60 days after they are infected. It is very unlikely for that result to change if a follow up test is done at 90 days especially when, as in your case, the risk of transmission is so low.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.
 

This answer was posted on July 17, 2015.

Hi, ok so I haven’t noticed any discharge but it just started burning while I pee and when I have my period which I do now I usually put a bit of toilet paper just in case it leaks because I use a “diva cup” and it was slightly itchy in my area! Does this mean I have an std and where can I get tested for stds and when

Hi

Your symptoms don’t mean you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Burning when you pee and having an itch in the genitals can be a sign of an STI but there are also many non-STI things like yeast infections, urinary tract infections etc… that can cause this.

I would recommend going for a STI checkup and discuss your symptoms with the health professional you see.  You could see your family doctor or any doctor at a walk in clinic. We also have clinics that specialise in STI. Have a look at our clinic finder for one in your area. 

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on June 28, 2015.

I just noticed a sore on my penis while masturbating. I think it’s just a scrape. It just looks like a bit of skin missing. Is a chanker sore more specific-looking?

Hi

Syphilis chancre sores can look different from person to person.

I have personally seen chancre sores that look like the classic ones you would see pictures of in an STI text book. I have also seen one’s that look more like small herpes sores or irritation from masturbation.

I don’t know your background e.g. past medical/sexual history etc… To give any specific recommendations but I can give you some general suggestions.

It is common to get scrapes on the penis. This can happen from physical damage when having sex or masturbating. The herpes simplex virus is also very common and can cause sores on the penis.

Syphilis is not very common but currently we are having high numbers of syphilis all across North America. What we are finding is the majority of these syphilis cases are in men who have sex with other men (MSM). We are also seeing that most people who get syphilis have no symptoms (only detected with a blood test) and that it can be passed with oral sex.

Given this I would recommend getting a STI check up that looks for syphilis if you are concerned. We do have tests available that can test the actual sore for syphilis. These tests are recommended during the primary stage of syphilis (when you just have a chancre sore) as it can take a bit of time for a syphilis blood test to show a positive result.  

You could see your family doctor or go to an STI clinic. They would be able to do a physical exam and testing to see if it is anything to be concerned about. Have a look at our clinic finder for a STI clinic in your area.

Have a look at our Syphilis web page for more information on syphilis.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on June 24, 2015.

I been having issues with always needing to scratching my scrotum and anus at night and in the morning when taking a shower. During the day I find myself to be really uncomfortable in a chair for 8 hours and need to readjust my boxers or go to the bathroom to readjust my boxers. I do see red rashes between my inner thighs from time to time and redness underneath my balls. My girlfriend went to get a blood test done and it came out negative and I plan to get tested too before having sex again just to make sure. Any idea of what it could be before getting tested?

Hi

It’s difficult to say what could be causing the issue without being able to ask you some questions and doing a physical exam. What I can do is give you a bit of an idea of some of the things I have seen in the clinic that can cause itching like that.

STI related I have seen pubic lice causing itching like this. I have also seen non-STI things like yeast infections cause these symptoms as well. I have also seen situations were it looks like something irritated the skin and caused it to itch initially, but now the continual scratching keeps irritating the skin causing it to always be itchy.

You have a good plan of going to see a health professional for a STI check up. Just mention the symptoms you have outlined above and see what they say.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on May 23, 2015.

I have a yellow/clear slime randomly discharging from my penis. And very sore ab muscles.haven’t had sex in weeks.started a few days ago

Hi

I would recommend going to a clinic for a check up. It is common that sexually transmitted infections (STI) will cause discharge from the penis but there are also other medical conditions that can do this as well.

It can take a few weeks for someone to develop symptoms after they have had an STI passed to them.

Most of the time STI show no symptoms. So it is possible that if it is an STI that your past partner may have no symptoms at all.

Have a look at our STI clinic finder for a clinic in your area.

If there is no clinic in your area I would just recommend visiting your family doctor or a walk in clinic. Let us know if you need assistance finding a place.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on May 12, 2015.