Experience of Discomfort After Oral Encounter
At 24 years old, with my boyfriend in his late 20s, I've been dating this guy for about a month now. I’ve engaged in oral intimacy with him on two occasions. He has shown remarkable respect for my boundaries, allowing me to lead and acclimate myself, particularly since this was my first experience with oral activities. He mentioned past long-distance relationships, and he also has dating apps like Tinder and Grindr on his phone, as we both met online. Overall, he seems to exhibit many positive qualities that give me confidence about our relationship, especially as I navigate my identity as a transgender man. I truly hope he’s not being unfaithful. I do wonder if my current discomfort might stem from hygiene practices. However, my limited understanding of STIs and STDs leaves me feeling anxious. I realize that getting tested would provide clarity, but coming from a traditional Hispanic family, I'm apprehensive about the potential for backlash. It’s also been quite some time since my last doctor’s visit, and I find it challenging to concoct a plausible reason for needing to see a physician again. Currently, I’m not experiencing pain while swallowing, but I do feel some sort of buildup. I haven’t examined my throat since our encounter yesterday; I kept things relatively simple since it was my initial experience, primarily just making gentle contact at the back of my throat. We made out right after, and I suspect he might have some nasal congestion, which he attributes to allergies—I'm uncertain whether that could relate to my current throat sensation. I’m not experiencing any nasal symptoms; the only thing I notice is a peculiar feeling towards the back of my throat. Update: Several months ago, I underwent screening for STDs after I returned home, and my doctor assured me that everything was in order. The only issue I have is oral herpes, which is hereditary rather than sexually transmitted. My partner has it as well.
Answers (1)
4/3/2025, 3:01:13 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel anxious about discomfort following intimate experiences, especially when navigating your relationship and health concerns. The feeling of buildup in your throat could be related to several factors, including the physical act of oral intimacy, allergies, or a mild inflammatory response. Let's break this down and explore some steps you can take to address your discomfort and alleviate your concerns.
Explanation
-
Throat Sensation: The peculiar feeling in your throat could be due to irritation from the oral activity or even mild congestion you mentioned. Since your partner has nasal congestion from allergies, it’s possible he may have transmitted some allergens during your encounter.
-
Hygiene and STIs: It’s good to be cautious about hygiene and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Having a history of oral herpes (which you mentioned is hereditary) could mean that you and your partner might need to manage this aspect carefully, especially if symptoms flare or if either of you experiences sores.
-
Anxiety about Testing: The concern about getting tested amidst worries about family reactions is valid. However, getting tested is a responsible choice for your health and well-being. Awareness can help you manage any conditions effectively.
Next Steps
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your throat sensation over the next few days. Pay attention to any changes, such as the development of pain, swelling, or any other new symptoms. If the discomfort continues or worsens, it may require further attention.
-
Self-Care:
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. This can help soothe any throat irritation.
- Gargle with Salt Water: Mixing a teaspoon of salt in warm water and gargling can help reduce inflammation and discomfort.
- Avoid Irritants: Steer clear of smoke and strong fragrances that could further irritate your throat.
-
Consider STD Testing: Since you haven’t been tested recently beyond your previous screening and you’re anxious about STIs, it’s helpful to arrange a health checkup. You can schedule a visit without detailing specifics; just request a general health check-up. Most providers understand the sensitivity surrounding sexual health and can assist you discreetly.
-
Reflection on Boundaries: Given your partner’s respect for your boundaries, it might be beneficial to discuss your feelings about the intimacy you’ve shared, especially concerning health and comfort. Open communication can strengthen your relationship.
Remember, your health and comfort should always come first, and addressing any underlying concerns is a positive step forward. If you ever feel overwhelmed, talking to trusted friends or a counselor can also provide support.
Related Questions
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation and Thyroid Issues: Variability in Cardioversion Decisions
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out for guidance regarding my mother’s current health situation, and I’d greatly appreciate any shared experiences or thoughts. **My mother's background:** - **Age**: 55 years - **Weight**: Recently dropped to 116 kg from 118 kg in just two days, likely due to diuretics. - **Health history**: Previously an underactive thyroid, undiagnosed and untreated, now presenting as overactive. - **Medications**: Currently taking thyroid medication and a beta-blocker (Rapiblock). **Current health status:** My mother has been hospitalized since Tuesday, experiencing **atrial fibrillation with heart rates exceeding 200** beats per minute due to her thyroid's hyperactivity. - The plan for cardioversion was initially settled on Tuesday. However, the following day, the medical team advised postponing it until her thyroid levels could be stabilized, believing that her heart rate would return to normal once her thyroid condition was managed. - Her **obesity** precludes her from undergoing a transthoracic echocardiogram, and due to her thyroid concerns, she cannot handle contrast dye (this has been a consistent issue for over four years). Therefore, the only feasible option was a **transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)**, which has yet to be performed. - She has been prescribed various medications including beta-blockers and thyroid treatments in the past. - On Friday, a doctor proposed proceeding with cardioversion; however, the attending senior physician objected. - Today (Saturday), another clinician has expressed a desire to move forward with cardioversion, having initiated a new medication, as the senior physician is unavailable. - **Communication has been unclear**, as we were notified of developments by a nurse rather than the physician in charge, causing confusion and anxiety. - Currently, only a **chest X-ray** is scheduled, and the TEE remains unaddressed. **My inquiries are as follows:** 1. Is it common for medical professionals to have varying opinions and frequently revise medication or treatment plans like cardioversion? 2. Is it safe to conduct cardioversion in the absence of a TEE? I presumed that this was a standard procedure to exclude the presence of blood clots. 3. Is it usual practice to have only a chest X-ray prior to moving ahead with cardioversion? 4. How typical is it for patients or their families to not be directly informed about treatment changes and learn about them through nursing staff instead? I recognize that this cannot substitute for professional medical advice. I’m simply trying to discern whether these circumstances are typical or if we should express our concerns more assertively with the healthcare facility. Thank you for your insights!
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.