Good Penis Health Requires Understanding Gonorrhea

A smart man is always very careful about his sexual activity. He knows how to have fun and let loose, but he also knows how to carefully screen and choose partners. He definitely knows to use a condom each and every time. Now there is new research that reveals just how important condom use can be for good penis care - especially where gonorrhea is involved. Here’s what every man needs to know about this ever-evolving penis health issue.

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that affects both men and women. The infection can take hold in the rectum, throat or most commonly, the genitals. It is one of the most common sexual infections among those aged 15-24, though it can be contracted by anyone who is sexually active. The CDC reports that about 820,000 people contract gonorrhea each year, but even more frightening is the fact that less than half of those are actually diagnosed.

Some men have no symptoms at all of gonorrhea. Others, however might experience a burning sensation when urinating, a discharge from the penis (this might be white, yellow or green), and swollen or painful testicles. Less common signs include anal itching, soreness, painful bowel movements, and bleeding from the rectum or penis.

These signs should send a man to the doctor immediately. However, keep in mind that the ‘silent’ nature of the disease in some people necessitates regular STD testing for anyone who is sexually active.

The latest news on gonorrhea

Gonorrhea can be treated and usually cured with the proper medications. However, recent studies have shown an alarming trend: Antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhea are becoming much more common. While the common treatment included a dose of two different antibiotics, studies show that the efficacy and usefulness of those treatments is steadily falling. Scientists expect that soon over 800,000 people in the United States alone might be inflicted with untreatable gonorrhea.

While new medications are being tested that might fight against these new strains of gonorrhea, nothing is on the market yet. That means that those who do get gonorrhea - especially those who contract it multiple times - might face the risk of carrying gonorrhea much longer than they would have in the past. Since long-term gonorrhea infections can do great damage to sexual and penis health, including reducing fertility, this could have terrible implications for those who suffer from the untreatable strains.

Ensuring the best penis health

Proper penis health requires a day-to-day effort. One of the most important components of good penis health, as well as good overall health, is to do whatever possible to avoid contracting a sexually transmitted disease. This means being very careful when having sex with a new partner, including using condoms each and every time.

Other ways to lower the risk of gonorrhea among those who are sexually active is ensuring that all partners in a relationship are tested for sexually transmitted diseases, and entering into relationships in which both partners agree to be monogamous. At the first sign of discharge, itching, a burning sensation when urinating, or other potential signs of a problem, men (and women!) should always visit the doctor for a full workup.

Another key aspect of good penis health is choosing a proper penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) that can be applied every day. The best creams will have the right combination of antioxidants, amino acids and vitamins, such as L-Arginine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and vitamins B5, A, D and C. Vitamin E is an excellent hydrator, while Shea butter makes for a perfect moisturizer. The combination of these health-promoting ingredients can help ensure supple, smooth penis skin. Remember that no penis health crème can protect against sexually transmitted diseases; that’s why the sexually responsible man will always keep a supply of condoms on hand to protect himself during intimate play.

Safeguarding Men's Sexual Health - Symptoms of Gonorrhea

When it comes to one’s sexual health, most people tend to take it for granted. Some men even take a wait and see approach. While some people can get lucky and never encounter a sexually transmitted infection, an estimated 50% of sexually active adults will contract one at some point in their life. Thus, it pays to be proactive and take charge of one’s sexual health to prevent a more serious problem down the line. Learning how to be proactive when it comes to men’s health and to exercise proper penis care can prevent problems before they start, and knowing the signs of some common STDs can help men - and their partners - to get the treatment they need before serious consequences develop.

1. Know the Signs and Symptoms
A very common sexually transmitted infection, or STI, a man can encounter these days is gonorrhea. Though most men have heard of it, few would know what to look for or what to do if the symptoms were present. Part of being proactive about one’s health is being informed. Information is key and knowing the symptoms means a greater likelihood of seeking treatment early on, and preventing the spread of the infection to one’s partner.

Unfortunately, gonorrhea can be especially difficult to diagnose, because some individuals carry the infection without having any symptoms. This means they more easily transmit the infection to a partner -- as they may be unaware they are carrying it until their partner becomes symptomatic. For this reason, it is important to know the symptoms that are experienced by both men and women, as one individual in the partnership may be asymptomatic and still infect the other.

Symptoms are most likely to appear 2 to 10 days after exposure, but may take up to 30 days in some cases.

Symptoms experienced by men

Penile discharge - often greenish yellow or white in color

Burning during urination

Tender, swollen testicles

Burning of the throat or swollen glands in the throat, caused by oral sex with an infected partner

Symptoms experienced by women

Vaginal discharge - often greenish yellow or white in color

Burning during urination

Bleeding outside of menstruation periods

Pain in lower abdomen or pelvic pain

Swelling of the vulva

Spotting or light bleeding after sex

Red, itchy eyes - also known as conjunctivitis

Burning of the throat or swollen glands in the throat, caused by oral sex with an infected partner

2. Know what to expect from a doctor’s appointment
For people who are symptomatic, it may be apparent to the doctor what is going on, but the diagnosis will still be confirmed via a swab test. Individuals who are asymptomatic but have recent known exposure, or just want to be tested to make sure, can also be diagnosed via a simple fluid swab. The doctor will swab the male urethra, or the female cervix, and the sample will be analyzed for signs of gonorrhea. Throat and anal cultures are also conducted if there is reason to test for the infection in those areas. In some cases, doctors may prefer to conduct a simple urine screen to test for bacteria in the urine to make a diagnosis. Test results can take several days to come in, and one should abstain from sexual contact if gonorrhea is suspected, in order to prevent passing it on.

3. Know How is Gonorrhea treated
A round of antibiotics easily cures gonorrhea. If one partner has been diagnosed with gonorrhea, the other partner should be tested and simultaneously treated to prevent spreading the infection back and forth to one another. As with any infection, one must always finish the entire round of antibiotics - even if symptoms disappear - failure to do so may lead to a relapse of the condition.

4. Know How to Maintain Penis Health
Here are a few quick tips to maintaining penis health; after all, it is the only one a man is ever going to get, so he should really take care of it!

If one becomes infected with gonorrhea - or any other STI - all recent partners must be informed so they can get tested. Sure, it can be embarrassing to talk about, but untreated STI’s can cause sterility, extreme sickness, or even death, so not telling is simply not an option.

Do not have sex until the full round of antibiotics has been completed and the doctor has verified a clean bill of health. The infection can still be spread during treatment!

Always, always use a condom during sex. It is the best way to protect the penis from STI’s.

Any person who is not in a monogamous relationship, should regularly be screened for all STI’s, including HIV/AIDS.

Use a high-quality penis vitamin cream on a daily basis to keep the penis healthy and virile. An all-natural penis oil (most professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) can keep the skin smooth, fight bacteria, and even increase sensitivity at the same time.