Answers to Sexual Health Questions - Sexually Transmitted Infections: Symptoms

(see links to other sites with information on sexual health, especially http://www.plannedparenthood.org/sti/)

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Ask the Staff is moderated by Edward Lifshitz, M.D., Director of Busch-Livingston Health Center

I am nervous because I have a pimple-like bump on the lips of my vagina. Is it herpes? Is there any way to get pimples down there or is it an STD? I'm currently dating someone and scared I might lose him. I'm also scared of not having children because someone won't risk their health with me.

I am only fifteen years old and have never had sex before. I would like to stress that because it seems odd that I have this bump on my penis. It is a raised bump near the base of the shaft of my penis. It is a yellowish color in the center and is inflamed around the outside. It has only been around for about two days now but is growing increasingly sore. I have never had any bumps like these before. Do you have any idea what this bump could be?

I just discovered some bumps that look like warts located in the area between my vagina and thigh and continuing on my thigh. Could these be genital warts? I haven't seen a doctor yet.

I have small white blisters around the head of my penis. I have had these for about six years. I am sure that I had them before I had sex, and now they are starting to hurt. Can this be something besides an STD?

My current boyfriend experiences severe burning during orgasm. While I realize it's normal for a male to experience discomfort and slight pain post-orgasm, my boyfriend all but yelps in pain. Is severe burning during an orgasm a possible sign of an STD?

My girlfriend and I had sex without a condom, and directly afterwards she said she experienced a burning sensation. I don't think it is an STD because we are both safe. What is it? Is this normal? What causes it? How do we get rid of it? Or do I just have atomic sperm?

I have a pimple-like bump on my vaginal area and I just noticed it today. I haven't had sexual contact with anyone for at least a month. What could this be? Is it just be a pimple there or something to be more concerned with?

The past two times we have had sex, my partner said he felt a burning sensation on the side of his penis. I am totally clean according to my check-up last December, and he is my only partner. What's going on? I was a little dry during sex as well; could that be it?

I am seventeen years old and have never had sex before, nor have I ever been near another person's naked genitalia. Lately I noticed I have some bumps on my penis that look like warts. Is it possible to transmit genital warts in ways other than sex? They look a little bit like pimples, and I have a tendency to get pimples in places other than my face, such as my chest, back, and arms. Could these be pimples too?

I have been with my boyfriend for over two years. I am 18 and recently noticed that after intercourse I bleed and experience a dark blood-like discharge for days.  When I urinate the day after I get a burning sensation. What could this be? I am too embarrassed to visit the doctor.

Since the beginning of school, I noticed that my vaginal secretions are giving off a strong, foul fishy odor. I have been sexually active with two partners recently, and I plan on having a GYN exam. What could this foul odor be? Is it possible it could be an STD? Could this also relate to a possible ear infection?

I recently had unprotected sex with my girlfriend and am scared I might have an STD. It has been about three weeks and I am unable to get an erection. I have a small rash where my scrotum meets my leg and have been very tired lately. She says she was tested recently and everything was negative. I am really scared. What should I do?

I had unprotected sex and am scared I may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease. I was previously diagnosed with a yeast infection and cervical infections, but I'm scared to go to a doctor and be diagnosed with a more serious disease. Can you tell me some of the common symptoms associated with most STDs, both curable and non-curable?

I have a lot of really small bumps on my penis head. They are somewhat hard to see unless I am erect. They never itch or burn, even when I pee. If I look close and move the skin around I see little cracks, like it's dry. I've had them for three years and only had sex once about three months ago. I had a doctor look at them but they were hard to see then, and he was just doing a normal physical. Do you know if this is a normal condition, or should I get tested for something?

I have what you could call "plucked chicken" skin around the shaft of my penis, starting about midway down. These bumps continue to the base. I was told by a non-professional that they were hair follicles and nothing to be worried about. However, as of late a few of these are becoming irritated and inflamed (normal masturbation, sex, etc.). Are there any creams or treatments that can decrease or get rid of these bumps, assuming they are follicles? Are there any other conditions I should be aware of that cause this? I do not think they are warts since the surface is not consistent as would be expected.

I am 18 and for the past two years I've been experiencing burning as well as cutting pains during urination. Sometimes these pains are present when I'm not urinating but they only last for a short while (a couple seconds). I've been to the doctor a number of times; my urine was checked and the results were fine. I was told to drink a lot of water and to eat certain foods, but was given no medication. Within the last nine months my semen has become very watery. Are these problems a result of masturbating too often? I've never had sex, so I doubt this is an STD. Please give me some advice; I'm becoming more and more worried every day.

I have a problem that occurred once before for about a week, then went away last year. Now it's back. I feel like I have to urinate frequently, but when I try I really don't have to go. This is accompanied by some general discomfort, like itching. Could this be a yeast infection or a urinary tract infection? Is it possible this is an STD? How do I take care of it and how do I prevent it from happening again if it's an infection? I'm not sure this is relevant, but the last time it happened was during a period of time when I was sleeping with my boyfriend. Now I am with someone else, and after a break between last year's "episode" I am sleeping with him. I don't think I'm allergic to the lubricant on condoms, since we are not using lubricated condoms. Please help!