What Are the Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Men?
Jul 06, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Luo Yong
Introduction
Genital warts:
- Grayish-white, flat, elevated papules or nodules on the vulva or perianal area, often accompanied by a foul odor—most likely flat condyloma.
- Cauliflower-shaped or cockscomb-shaped, pedunculated warts that are light red or grayish-brown—most likely anogenital warts (condyloma acuminatum).
- Dome-shaped papules where a cheesy, curd-like material can be expressed upon puncturing the apex—suggestive of molluscum contagiosum.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as venereal diseases, are infections primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse and predominantly affect the genital area. The five classic STIs include syphilis, gonorrhea, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, and granuloma inguinale. Specific symptoms of STIs in men are as follows:
① Ulcers on the external genitalia
For example, a solitary, painless, round, cartilage-hard ulcer is highly suggestive of chancre (primary syphilis); a soft, shallow ulcer with jagged, irregular margins, accompanied by pain and multiple lesions covered with purulent exudate, is characteristic of chancroid; and an ulcer evolving from clustered vesicles—soft and painful—is typically indicative of genital herpes.
② Genital or perianal growths (lesions)
Multiple, infiltrative, grayish-white, flat, elevated papules or nodules appearing in the genital or perianal region—moist, prone to erosion, and associated with a foul odor—are highly suggestive of condylomata lata (a manifestation of secondary syphilis). In contrast, pedunculated, cauliflower- or cockscomb-shaped, pinkish-red or grayish-brown warty lesions in the same regions—prone to bleeding—are typical of anogenital warts (caused by human papillomavirus). Lastly, discrete, dome-shaped, pearly-gray papules the size of millet grains, each featuring a central umbilication and a waxy surface sheen, from which caseous material can be expressed upon puncture, indicate molluscum contagiosum.
③ Urethral discharge
Purulent, thick, yellowish discharge from the urethral meatus—particularly prominent upon waking—is highly suggestive of acute gonorrhea. Conversely, scant, clear, mucoid urethral discharge points toward non-gonococcal urethritis.
