Sexually Transmitted Infection Symptoms You Should Know
7 Causes Of Penis Burning
A burning sensation in the penis can have many causes, including infections, kidney stones, prostatitis, and cancer. Penis burning may happen when urinating. Treatment can depend on the underlying cause.
Various types of infection can cause a burning sensation in the penis. These are usually treatable with antibiotic medications. Some infections are preventable through practicing safe sex.
The burning sensation occurs during urination and may, depending on the cause, occur alongside other symptoms. For example, there might be swelling or itchiness around the penis.
Keep reading to learn about seven possible causes of a burning sensation in the penis and how to treat them.
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is common in young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years. It spreads primarily through sexual activities.
A burning sensation while urinating is one symptom of gonorrhea. The disease can also cause discolored discharge from the penis and swelling in the area. However, some people with the infection may not experience any symptoms.
Doctors can cure gonorrhea using a combination of antibiotic treatments. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend taking a single 500 milligram dose of ceftriaxone by injection into the muscle.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) can occur in different parts of the urinary tract, such as the bladder or kidneys. It is the result of bacteria entering the urinary tract. UTI is more of an umbrella term that can include urethritis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other types of infection.
One common symptom of UTIs is a burning sensation during urination. They can also increase the need to urinate.
Antibiotics are effective in treating UTIs. Doctors will need to determine what type of bacteria is causing the infection to decide which antibiotic to prescribe.
The duration of treatment will vary depending on the severity of the infection, among other factors. Drinking plenty of water will also help with the treatment.
Chlamydia is another common STI that affects males and females. It can pass from person to person through unprotected sexual activities.
Chlamydia causes a burning sensation during urination and abnormal discharge. It might also cause pain and swelling in the testicles.
Doctors will prescribe a course of antibiotic medications to treat chlamydia. It is best to avoid all sexual activity during the treatment.
It is possible to prevent chlamydia by wearing a condom during sex. As the infection does not always cause symptoms, anyone who is sexually active with multiple partners should receive regular testing.
Urethritis is the inflammation of the urethra. The urethra is a tube carrying urine from the bladder out of the body. Bacteria or a virus usually causes the condition.
Urethritis causes burning during urination, and it can also be painful to ejaculate. The condition might cause itching and tenderness around the penis, too.
The treatment for urethritis will depend on its cause. A doctor will prescribe antibiotic medications to treat bacterial causes.
Sometimes, another condition, such as gonorrhea, causes urethritis. Treating the underlying medical condition will usually help with urethritis.
Prostatitis can be acute or chronic. It is an inflammation of the prostate gland, which is a small gland between the bladder and the penis that produces components of semen.
Most forms of prostatitis are the result of irritated nerves around the prostate, for which an infection is not responsible. However, less common types of prostatitis, such as bacterial prostatitis, cause burning while urinating.
Bacterial causes of prostatitis are treatable with antibiotic medication.
Kidney stones are the result of waste products in the urine turning into crystals. When these crystals build up, the body has difficulty passing them out in the urine.
The stones tend either to stay in the kidney or to move into the urethra and cause pain. Depending on the size of the stone, the pain can be severe.
Smaller kidney stones will eventually leave the body in the urine on their own and without intervention. Over-the-counter pain relievers and plenty of fluids will help with symptoms.
Larger stones may need surgery or other treatments. The most common medical procedure for kidney stones is shock wave lithotripsy. This treatment uses high frequency sound waves to break the stone into smaller pieces that people can then pass out of the body in the urine.
In extremely rare cases, the burning sensation could be a sign of cancer. Skin changes around the penis and swelling are signs of penile cancer, which occurs when cancerous cells form in the tissues of the penis.
Various treatment options are available for penile cancer. Doctors will determine the right treatment depending on the severity of the cancer, but it could involve surgery or chemotherapy.
Penile cancer is one of the rarest forms of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, penile cancer accounts for less than 1% of all cancers in males.
Below are some commonly asked questions about penile burning.
What causes male urinary burning?There are many potential causes of urinary burning in men including:
If a person has noticed the tip of their penis is burning, it is important to talk with a doctor who will be able to offer a diagnosis.
Often, this may be a sign of an infection and a course of antibiotics will help resolve the burning.
How does a person get rid of burning urine?Burning urine often points to a person having an infection. If that is the case, a person might require antibiotics to resolve this symptom.
There are many possible causes of a burning sensation in the penis, which usually occurs during urination.
Most causes relate to an infection of the urinary tract and testicles. Other symptoms might also occur, such as swelling.
In most cases, these infections are treatable with antibiotics. Depending on the cause and severity, treatment can last weeks or months.
STIs are preventable through practicing safe sex, but other conditions, such as urinary tract infections, can be difficult to prevent in some people.
Although a burning sensation in the penis can, rarely, be a sign of cancer, the chances are very low. A person should consider all other possibilities first and consult a doctor for a diagnosis.
10 Medications That May Cause Increased Urination
Maybe you've noticed that you're rushing to the restroom lately. Or you're waking up in the middle of the night to go. Perhaps you need to take way more breaks at work to pee.
There are many potential causes of frequent urination. They include, but are not limited to, an increase in water intake, a urinary tract infection (UTI), or the onset of a new disease such as diabetes, as the Mayo Clinic notes.
It's worth asking yourself: "Have I started a new medication lately?"
That gotta-go impulse is a relatively common side effect of various drugs available over-the-counter and by prescription. "Many medications can lead to urinary retention and something we call 'overflow incontinence,' which is when the bladder is not able to contract and expel urine effectively, leaving urine in the bladder," says Brooke D. Hudspeth, PharmD, an associate professor and the chief practice officer at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy in Lexington. Other meds may interfere with the function of the urethra and lead to leakage or cause the bladder to quickly fill up with urine and make you urinate more frequently.
Whether you're on diuretics ("water pills") to reduce your blood pressure, a decongestant to clear your sinuses, or a mood-stabilizing medication for bipolar disorder, here are some common medications that may cause more frequent urination.
1. DiureticsThe point of a diuretic is to increase urination. "All diuretics work to increase the excretion of water and sodium from the body through the kidneys," explains Dr. Hudspeth. This is helpful in treating conditions like high blood pressure, swelling, heart failure, and liver or kidney disorders, she says. But frequent urination can disturb your sleep if you're waking up multiple times to go to the bathroom. Hudspeth recommends asking your doctor if you can take diuretics earlier in the day to avoid cutting into your sleep.
RELATED: 8 Common Medications That May Cause Dehydration
2. Tricyclic AntidepressantsUrination is normally a well-orchestrated process. When your bladder fills up (and is holding that urine), the urethra — the tube connected to the bladder that empties urine — needs to stay shut to keep it all in until you decide you're ready to go to the bathroom, says Hudspeth. What's more, your bladder has to be able to contract to expel the urine into the urethra. Tricyclic antidepressants may interfere with both processes and lead to leakage, also called urinary incontinence.
3. AntihistaminesFor some people, sneezes can cause a little urine to leak. But this may also be due to an antihistamine that you're taking to control allergy symptoms. The most common offenders are diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), says Jason Varin, PharmD, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in Minneapolis. "The bladder is a smooth muscle that fills up with urine. When it reaches a certain level and is full, it sends signals to the brain that it's time to urinate," he explains. Trouble is, certain antihistamines can relax the bladder, blunting its ability to push out urine. In the end, there is still some urine left in your bladder, which means it will fill up again faster and send that "gotta pee" signal to your brain sooner.
RELATED: 10 Common Food and Medication Interactions to Avoid
4. DecongestantsDecongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylephrine (Suphedrine PE) may help temporarily quell nasal congestion by constricting blood vessels, ultimately lessening swelling. But that effect happens to other muscles, too, including the bladder's sphincter, says Dr. Varin. "This is the on-off valve of the bladder, and these medications may make the bladder constrict so that it's more difficult for urine to pass from the bladder," he says. In people with male genitalia, "decongestants can also constrict the prostate, which surrounds the urethra, also making it more difficult to pass urine," Varin adds.
5. Calcium Channel BlockersAmong older adults who went to the doctor because of incontinence, 60 percent were taking medications that had urinary symptoms as a side effect, according to one study. Among the most common medications they were taking? Calcium channel blockers. This class of medication, used to treat hypertension, may cause the bladder to relax and affect its ability to empty properly, says Hudspeth.
RELATED: What Does Burning or Painful Urination (Dysuria) Mean?
6. Mood StabilizersLithium (Lithobid) is a mood-stabilizing medication used to treat bipolar disorder, notes the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). "For some individuals, lithium is the best treatment, considered a lifesaver for some, even though it has a host of likely side effects," says Varin. One of those potential side effects is excessive urination and thirst, which may affect up to 70 percent of individuals who take lithium long-term, according to research. While this side effect may be annoying, it can also be dangerous if the dose you're taking is too high. "Lithium doses that are too high for an individual can lead to changes in the kidney and to a form of diabetes that impacts the function of the kidneys," explains Varin. That condition is called diabetes insipidus, which is not the same as type 1 or 2 diabetes. "Diabetes insipidus has to do with the kidney's ability to regulate fluids and reabsorb water properly, resulting in an increased urination of mostly fluids. In turn, that creates what some describe as an endless thirst," he says. It can cause electrolyte and fluid imbalances, so talk to your doctor if you have these side effects.
7. AntipsychoticsClozapine (Clozaril) is an antipsychotic medication that treats schizophrenia, and it can be a particularly important medication for patients who have suicidal thoughts, according to MedlinePlus. Frequent urination is one possible side effect because it can cause diabetes insipidus, says Hudspeth. One of the main complications of diabetes insipidus is dehydration, which has symptoms including thirst, dry skin, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, and nausea, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Talk to your doctor if you're on this medication and experience increased urination.
RELATED: 10 Ways to Keep Your Bladder Healthy and Happy
8. Some Medications for Type 2 DiabetesThe newer medications for type 2 diabetes, a class called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, work by "increasing the amount of glucose or blood sugar your kidneys excrete and pass through urine, which takes fluid with it," says Varin. Some good news: There was a concern that SGLT2 inhibitors would also increase the risk of urinary tract infection (one symptom of UTI is a persistent urge to urinate, per the Mayo Clinic), but research has failed to find that connection.
9. Alpha BlockersAlpha blockers, such as doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), and terazosin (Hytrin), are another class of medications used to treat high blood pressure. They work by relaxing blood vessels to allow for adequate blood flow — but they may also relax the muscles of the urethra and cause urinary incontinence, says Hudspeth. According to the Mayo Clinic, these drugs are often used in combination with other blood-pressure-lowering drugs, such as diuretics, so there's a chance that increased urination issues could be caused by one or both of these medications.
RELATED: The Possible Benefits of Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes and Other Health Conditions
10. OpioidsOpioids are drugs that can be prescribed by doctors to treat pain, such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine (Arymo), and methadone (Dolophine), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These are highly addictive, and as many as 1 in 4 people who are treated long-term with these drugs experience opioid addiction, per the CDC. Clearly, that is the chief concern. But a lesser side effect is urinary problems, according to research. Opioids can impair your bladder's ability to empty by interfering with proper bladder contraction. Your doctor may be able to prescribe other pain control medications if you're experiencing side effects.
If you have any concerns about your medication or new onset of urinary changes, speak to a primary care provider for an evaluation and medical guidance.
Signs And Symptoms Of STDs In Men
In some cases, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or infections (STIs) cause no noticeable symptoms. When they do occur, STI symptoms in males can include discharge, bleeding, painful blisters, and more.
It is crucial for everyone who is sexually active to be aware of STD and STI symptoms. When a person with an STI receives treatment early, the outlook is usually excellent.
In this article, we look at some of the most common STIs in males. We also explore the symptoms, signs, treatments, and best methods of prevention.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people contract more than 1 million STIs every day, globally.
In some cases, an STI causes no noticeable symptoms, so it is possible to have one without knowing it. It may also be easy to mistake STI symptoms for those of another issue.
Below, learn about common STIs and how they affect males.
Chlamydia is a bacterial STI that passes from person to person through anal, oral, or vaginal sex without a condom. In a male, chlamydia can develop in the urethra, rectum, or throat.
Some call chlamydia a "silent" infection because people are often unaware that they have it. The majority of these infections in males cause no symptoms.
If symptoms do occur in males, they arise several weeks after the infection develops.
Common symptoms of chlamydia in the urethra include:
Chlamydia in the rectum is less common and usually causes no symptoms, but it can cause:
Rarely, chlamydia develops in the epididymis, the tube that carries sperm from the testicles. This can cause:
To test for this issue, a healthcare provider usually asks for a urine sample, but they may use a cotton swab to get a sample from the urethra instead.
TreatmentTreating chlamydia with oral antibiotics is relatively straightforward. It may involve taking a single dose or a 7-day course of an antibiotic. Repeat infections are common, however, so it is a good idea to have another test after completing the treatment.
Herpes is an infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of the virus, and they tend to affect different parts of the body
HSV–1, also called oral herpes, causes cold sores in and around the mouth.HSV–2 almost always passes on through sex without a condom and causes genital herpes.
Many people with herpes have no symptoms, and others may have difficulty identifying their symptoms. Mild herpes blisters can resemble insect bites, ingrown hairs, or razor burn.
If they do arise, the symptoms typically appear 2–12 days after the infection develops.
Common symptoms of herpes in males include:
To diagnose herpes, a doctor can use a blood test or a polymerase chain reaction test. The latter involves checking for signs of the infection in the person's DNA, and it can be especially useful when the person has no visible symptoms.
If a person has visible sores on or around their genitals, a doctor can test for herpes using a cell culture. This involves collecting a sample of the fluid inside one of the sores.
TreatmentThere is no cure for herpes, and outbreaks of symptoms can reoccur over time. Treatments focus on managing the symptoms and extending the time between outbreaks.
Gonorrhea is an infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. It can develop in the urethra, rectum, or throat, and the bacteria can transmit through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom.
Most males with gonorrhea have no symptoms. When gonorrhea in the urethra does cause symptoms, they usually appear 1–14 days after the infection has developed.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in males include:
First, the doctor asks the person about their symptoms and medical history. Next, they order a test, which might involve a urine sample or a swab of the penis, urethra, anus, or throat.
Home testing kits are also available. They involve taking a sample and sending it to a lab, which returns the results to the person directly. If the result is positive, the person needs to see a doctor for treatment.
It is worth noting, however, that the doctor may wish to do another test to confirm the diagnosis.
TreatmentHealthcare providers can treat gonorrhea with antibiotics. These can stop the infection from progressing, but they cannot reverse any damage already done.
For this reason, anyone with symptoms of the infection or likely exposure to it should see a healthcare provider for testing right away.
The medical community is becoming increasingly concerned about the rise of antibiotic resistant gonorrhea. This resistance makes successful treatment much more difficult, if not impossible.
Bacteria are also responsible for syphilis, which transmits through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) have a higher risk of contracting syphilis. Almost 70 percent of primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses in 2017 were in MSM.
Syphilis is also known as "The Great Pretender" because its symptoms can resemble those of other diseases. Symptoms usually appear 10–90 days after infection, with 21 days being the average.
The symptoms of syphilis progress in stages known as primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Each stage has its own unique set of symptoms that can last for weeks, months, or even years.
The symptoms of primary syphilis include:
Secondary syphilis can cause the following signs and symptoms:
The latent, or "hidden," stage of syphilis, during which there are no visible symptoms, can last for several years.
Tertiary syphilis is very rare. It can cause severe health complications that affect multiple organ systems. The symptoms of tertiary syphilis include:
DiagnosisHealthcare providers are likely to run blood tests or examine some of the fluid from a sore to check for syphilis.
TreatmentA healthcare provider may recommend an antibiotic called benzathine benzylpenicillin to treat primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis. People who are allergic to penicillin will need to use a different antibiotic, such as doxycycline or azithromycin.
Although antibiotics will prevent the infection from progressing, they cannot repair any permanent damage resulting from the infection.
People also use the term "HPV" to refer to the infections that these viruses cause.
HPV is a common STI that typically affects people in their late teens and early 20s. Males with HPV may never develop symptoms, or the symptoms may arise months or even years after the infection develops.
The most common symptoms of HPV in males are warts in the mouth or throat and genital warts — small bumps around the penis or anus.
HPV is unusual among STIs because vaccines can prevent it. These are Gardasil and Cervarix, and they are effective against HPV types 16 and 18, high-risk strains that can lead to certain types of cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children aged 11–12 years receive the HPV vaccine and that all males up to the age of 45 years get vaccinated if they have not yet done so.
DiagnosisThere is currently no HPV screening or tests for males. A healthcare provider may be able to make a diagnosis based on any genital warts that are present.
TreatmentMost cases of HPV resolve without treatment and cause no complications. However, if the infection persists, and the person does not receive treatment, it can lead to problems, including certain types of cancer.
No HPV treatment has received formal approval, but there are ways to manage any symptoms and complications. For example, topical and oral medications can treat genital warts.
HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune cells. It spreads through some, but not all, bodily fluids, including semen, vaginal and anal fluids, and blood.
Having sexual intercourse without a condom is the most common method of transmission.
Many people with HIV experience flu-like symptoms within 2–6 weeks of developing the infection. Common symptoms of HIV in males are:
Other symptoms may include:
Doctors can test a person's blood for HIV antibodies. They perform the test more than once before confirming a positive result. Home testing kits are also available.
Current HIV tests make it possible to detect HIV in under 2 weeks. People with known risk factors should undergo testing more often.
TreatmentWhile there is no cure for HIV, treatments can prevent symptoms and transmission. They can also keep the infection from progressing to cause AIDS.
The treatments are called antiretroviral therapy, and they reduce the amount of the virus in the body. When the amount is so low that a test cannot detect it, this eliminates the risk of transmitting HIV.
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, often due to a viral infection. One of the most common hepatitis viruses is the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can pass on through blood, semen, and some other bodily fluids.
Healthcare providers classify each HBV infection as either acute, meaning that it is temporary and will last for a few weeks, or chronic, in which case it is a severe, lifelong condition.
Most people with hepatitis B have no symptoms. People with symptoms may easily mistake them for those of cold or flu, and they tend to appear about 90 days after the HBV infection develops.
Hepatitis B signs and symptoms include:
A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, and the WHO recommend that all infants receive at least three doses of this vaccine.
DiagnosisHealthcare providers look for signs of liver damage, such as jaundice. Some tests that can help diagnose hepatitis B include:
TreatmentThere is currently no treatment for acute hepatitis B. Medications can treat chronic hepatitis B, and research in this area is ongoing.
People with chronic hepatitis B need regular checkups for signs of liver disease.
STIs often cause no symptoms in males, which makes it hard for health authorities to estimate the real number of cases.
When they receive treatment, people with STIs have a good outlook. If a person does not receive treatment, these infections can become chronic conditions, and some can cause dangerous complications.
People can prevent STIs by using barrier protection, such as condoms or dental dams, during sex. Also, vaccines can prevent HPV and hepatitis B.
Anyone who is sexually active should undergo regular testing for STIs. This will ensure quick detection and treatment and help prevent the infections from passing on.
Comments
Post a Comment