In addition to asking about STDs, the boys in our classes also ask questions about other health problems. Here are some of the questions they ask.
I’ve never had sex, but I have symptoms like you said you get from STDs. I have pain, it burns when I urinate, and, sometimes, a little bit of stuff leaks out of my penis. If it’s not an STD, what is it?
There are a number of diseases other than STDs that can cause these kinds of symptoms. For example, urethritis (an infection of the urethra) can cause these symptoms. Sometimes urethritis germs are passed through sexual contact, but you can also pick up these germs in other ways.
What is jock itch?
‘Jock itch’ or ‘jock rot’ is a fungus infection caused by wearing clothes that are too tight or that don’t let the air circulate freely. It causes redness, soreness and itching on the genitals and the inside of the thighs. Rubbing cornflour on the area may be enough to cure the problem, but in some cases you need to get special medication from the doctor to clear it up. Keeping the area clean and dry, washing your clothes frequently and avoiding tight clothing will help prevent the problem.
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