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Question
I have suffered over the last few years, especially after intercourse, from a really sore and red penis tip.

I have seen my GP, who provided creams and I have recently noticed that it stopped.

However, this is not good as the reason the sores are no longer being experienced is that prostate fluid is no longer being ejected into my sperm on or before ejaculation takes place.

My concern is that if these earlier sores were caused by a prostate infection, this has never been treated.

Many years ago I was treated for non-specific urethritis (NSU). I cannot remember if this was ever concluded.

I now suffer from groin pain. This worsens when I'm sexually excited and again I assume, when prostate fluid is being produced.

Answer
I'm sorry to hear about these problems, and I can appreciate your concerns.

Firstly, I don't think that the sore red tip of the penis has anything to do with your concerns about your prostate. You don't say if this was over the end of the penis, or at the very tip in the opening of the urethra. In either case, however, local infection with relatively harmless organisms, bacteria or yeasts like thrush, can occur and I suspect that one of the creams your doctor gave you has done the trick and cleared this problem up.

It follows that your lack of fluid prior to ejaculation is also not related to the sore tip of the penis. Some production of a slippery clear fluid during foreplay is common and natural, but the amount of fluid can vary and sometimes not appear at all, depending on the circumstances, the degree and duration of excitation for example.

It is true that prostatitis might affect the flow of these fluids.

You say you had an episode of NSU (non-specific urethritis). This usually presents with discomfort passing water and sometimes with a discharge. It is treated with a long course of a particular type of antibiotic. If it is not cleared up properly, the symptoms usually persist or get worse, so it is unlikely you have been harbouring this infection for a very long time.

Your medical notes should indicate whether you were treated for the NSU, and if there is any doubt checks can be done to exclude the presence of any urethral infection.

The groin pain on intercourse or sexual arousal may possibly be associated with a chronic prostatic infection, and I am afraid that I cannot really give you any useful information without knowing more about it.

I hope I have reassured you on the first two matters, but for this last problem, I think it is essential that you discuss it with your doctor.

If you do have prosatitis, it is not usually serious, and can respond to effective treatment.

See your GP, who can refer you for specialist help if necessary, and I hope your sex-life will soon return to normal.

Yours sincerely

Dr Keith Barnard, GP

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