AboutMark Behar Expertise Almost any question or concern about sexually transmitted infections, abnormal Pap smears, anal cytology (anal "Pap smears"), gay men's health issues.
There is no such thing as “d/d free” or “clean” (free of infection), so why do so many of us deceive ourselves into thinking that some people are indeed totally free from a potentially infectious disease, like HIV, herpes, hepatitis, syphilis, chlamydia, warts, gonorrhea, etc., just because they say so? Clinical laboratory tests are not perfect, and having a “negative” or “nonreactive” test does not mean that a person is free from infection. Perhaps at the moment the test was taken, the person was uninfected; or, perhaps, the test wasn’t sensitive enough to detect presence of the infection. There is really no way that anyone can determine that they are truly “disease free,” and there are over a hundred of infectious conditions that can be spread without your knowing anything.
Rather than trying to “prescreen” or “serosort” a potential sex-mate with deceptive questions that are impossible to know by today’s technologies, a wiser option may be to consider everyone infected with something, and either use appropriate protective measures (“safer sex”), or accept the responsibility and conseqences of possibly “catching” something from someone who’s hotter than expected (pun intended!).
There is much research that supports the contention that an HIV positive person reliably taking HIV medications, and having an undetectable viral load, presents a lower risk for transmission of HIV than people who may think or say they are HIV negative, but are not. Food for thought!
Experience Family Practice PA since 1981;
Volunteer Clinician for Brady East STD (BESTD) Clinic, Milwaukee, since 1977; answer STD questions submitted to their web site.
Professionally lectured at national and regional Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner conferences, and at national gay & lesbian health conferences on topics including HIV/AIDS, herpes, hepatitis, STDs, human papilloma virus (the cause of venereal warts), abnormal Pap smears, gay and lesbian health issues, among others.
Organizations Co-Founder, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Gay Physician Assistant Caucus of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Inc.;
Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants;
American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP); Board of Directors, National Association of Black and White Men Together: A Gay, Multiracial Organization for All People (NABWMT)
Publications Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (JAPA)
Education/Credentials Physician Assistant Certified, since 1982;
Masters in Physician Assistant Studies;
Colposcopy Recognition Award, American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP);
Awards and Honors Colposcopy Recognition Award (CRA), from the American Association of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology;
Distinguished Fellow, American Academy of Physician Assistants;
Fellow, Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants
Past/Present Clients Brady East STD Clinic, Milwaukee, WI
Question Over the past two years I have been having trouble with the skin on my
penis. There is a spot - the same spot - on the left of my shaft right below
the head of my penis that has been very sensitive and sporadically red. I can
barely masturbate for 30 seconds without the skin in that area becoming very
inflamed. I thought it was Herpes, but I was tested for HSV-2 a year ago and
it came back negative (I did test positive, though, for HSV-1). Since then, I
have been given a bunch of creams - mometasone, atopiclair, keta-
something - none of which did anything. Its to the point where that
particular spot on the penis is always moist and shiny, but there are not
breaks in the skin or sores - its just a texture thing. I have been using baby
powder to combat that and it seems to help. Now, though, randomly, that
spot will be come red and I will have random pains in the inside/left of my
shaft. I have seen 2 MDs, 2 Dermatologists, 1 Urologist, and a Neurologist.
There conclusion was that as we grow our skin changes and becomes more
sensitive. I dont believe for one second. I used to be able to masturbate for
hours. Now I can barely do it for seconds.
Answer Hello Brian,
Sorry to hear about this skin sensitivity. Does it help (less skin irritation) to use a lubricant during masterbation? How often are you doing it now? Use any condoms? With or without lubrication? When erect, does your penis curve AWAY from the irritated area-- i.e., does the convex (outwardly curved) area get stretched more than the concave (inwardly curved) area? Are you circumcized? Ever had any injury to the penis? Any problems with sex and another partner??
As we get older, nerve function does change. But it usually changes everywhere, not just on the penis. I don't think you would get more sensitive; you may get LESS sensitive!
A photograph is worth a thousand words! If you have a snapshot of the red skin, please send it!
