How to Tell a Partner about Penis Infections

Every man wants to avoid a penis infection, and that’s part of the reason most men adhere to very good penis care regimens. Avoiding sexually transmitted diseases is one of the main reasons a man uses a condom at each and every encounter (or if he doesn’t, he knows he should!). But sometimes, despite a man’s best efforts, he could wind up with a penis infection. Some of these can be easily treated, but others will be with him for life, and can dramatically change how he lives his life in the future.

One of the most unpleasant parts of a penis infection is having to tell former and current partners about the condition. These individuals deserve to know about what is going on so they can get themselves tested and take other steps to protect their own health. But for the person who has to tell them, breaking the news is definitely not an easy matter.

Here are some tips to help the man who must tell a former or current partner about sexually transmitted diseases that he might have shared with them.

1) Be absolutely sure. Don’t tell them just on a hunch that a disease might be present. Have the tests, then have the results in hand when making that call.

2) Call or tell them in person. Though it might be tempting to send an email, it’s always best to tell them in person, if possible, so they can ask questions immediately. If in-person won’t work, call them. And if that won’t work, try texting them with a request to talk - now.

3) Don’t lay blame. Odds are that if a man has a sexually transmitted disease, he’s not entirely sure where it came from. If there was only one partner, then obviously it could be clear - but even so, never lay blame on another person when calling to tell them the news. The idea is to get them concerned for their health and get them to get tested, not to make them feel defensive or ashamed.

4) Get the word out fast. Not only do they need to know, they need to know yesterday - so make sure to get the word to them as soon as possible. This can help them get the care they need much sooner, and can prevent them from passing it on to someone else if it turns out they do have the sexually transmitted disease.

5) Come prepared with answers. There will be many questions, of course, and most of them need to be answered by their doctor. But a man might be able to provide some insight to the partner when he mentions the disease. For instance, a guy who has been diagnosed with gonorrhea can reassure their partner that it can be cured, as long as they get to the doctor quickly and take the medication as directed.

6) Be ready for emotion. The very idea of a sexually transmitted disease can make someone feel anxious, depressed, angry, horrified, ashamed, defensive and many other emotions - sometimes all at once! And when that emotion hits, they are likely to vent on the most convenient target, which happens to be the guy who just called them with the bad news. So be prepared to listen to what they have to say yet stay calm and cool, even when dealing with that tidal wave of emotion.

Finally, a man should take every step possible to make sure he never has to make that kind of phone call or visit again. He can do this by practicing even better penis care than he has in the past, including always wrapping up the member when it’s time to get busy.

And of course, daily care matters as well. He can help ensure a strong, healthy penis with a good penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). This crème should contain a plethora of protective ingredients, such as L-arginine for better blood flow and oxygenation, alpha lipoic acid to fight free radicals and vitamin A to eradicate bacteria.

Penis Pain Might be Caused by a New STD

The growing prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases has concerned many men, as well it should - studies have shown that over 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases occur every year, and that today over 25% of Americans are living with an incurable STD. In addition to always practicing excellent penis care, men must also take care to protect themselves against the growing variety of STDs lurking among potential partners.

Though many STDs present with problems that might include penis pain or discharge, one of the most frightening points about STDs is that some are completely asymptomatic. This means that a person can have the infection in their body but not know it is there. That’s case with a new infection discovered by researchers in the UK: Known as mycoplasma genitalium, this infection might actually be more common than gonorrhea.

Is this really a new STD?

First discovered in 1980, mycoplasma genitalium was initially believed to be a bacteria that invaded the urinary tract and sometimes the reproductive system, much the same way a simple urinary tract infection might. But in the mid-90s, researchers discovered that those who tested positive for the bacteria also had sexual partners who tested positive. Over time, studies also proved that those who had more sexual partners or those who had unprotected sex were more likely to have mycoplasma genitalium.

Perhaps most significantly, the infection was never found in those who had never had sex. Therefore, research has now definitively concluded that yes, mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted disease.

What are the symptoms?

Like many other STDs, many people who contract this one might show no symptoms at all. For the men who do have symptoms, penis pain when urinating is the number one complaint, followed by discharge from the penis. For women, the symptoms usually present as bleeding after sexual activity, perhaps thanks to an inflamed cervix. The potential for long-term problems has not yet been established, thanks to the newness of the infection and ongoing research.

What about treatment?

Unfortunately, there are no FDA-approved tests for this particular infection; therefore, doctors usually treat the problem through a process of elimination. In most cases, the antibiotics used to treat penis pain or penis discharge do not work well in fighting mycoplasma genitalium. Therefore, physicians might suspect a man has this particular infection if the antibiotics obviously do not work to alleviate the symptoms. At that point, moving to higher-dose antibiotics or a different type of antibiotic altogether will often clear up the infection.

Taking steps to stay healthy

This worrying news is even more reason for a man to ‘wrap it up’ when enjoying time with a new partner, as well as to make a point of getting tested for a wide variety of STDs on a regular basis. Catching an infection very early can mean the difference between good health and a nasty problem later, and might also help preserve fertility.

Another important aspect of personal health and hygiene is the use of a top-notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). The use of a crème with a high-end emollient, such as Shea butter, as well as the hydrating power of vitamin E can help ensure that the penis skin stays smooth and supple. In addition, look for a crème that contains vitamins A and D, which are known for their disease-fighting prowess. Alpha lipoic acid, a strong antioxidant that fights free radicals, is also a great addition to a high-quality crème. Though no crème can protect a man against sexually transmitted diseases, good penis care can help ensure a man is cognizant of his body and attuned to the changes that might occur if an STD is contracted.