Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptoms in MenWhat They Look LikeWhere They FormWhen to Seek Medical CareDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms in Men

What They Look Like

Where They Form

When to Seek Medical Care

Diagnosis

Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Sores on the genitals are usually the first sign of a genital herpes outbreak. Other symptoms of genital herpes can include a foul-smelling discharge from the genitals and flu-like symptoms like fever and swollen glands.

This article covers genital herpes symptoms in men, what genital herpes sores look like and where they form on the penis when to see a healthcare provider, and diagnosing and treating genital herpes.

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A man with reading material in a healthcare waiting room

Genital Herpes Symptoms in Men

Genital herpes symptoms in men can include:

What Do Genital Herpes Sores Look Like?

Genital herpes sores can look like red bumps or blisters, and they can be, at times, small or mild enough to resemble pimples or ingrown hairs. These sores can look different depending on your skin tone. The blisters can scab over after breaking, and healing can take about a week. Complete healing of an outbreak can take up to four weeks. Antiviral medication can shorten the duration of an outbreak of herpes sores.

What If It’s Not Genital Herpes?

There are other possibilities for what sores or bumps on the penis or scrotum could be, including:

Where Do Genital Herpes Sores Usually Form on Men?

Genital herpes can form in and around the urethra (the hole of the penis), scrotum, anus, thighs, and mouth.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

You should see a healthcare provider if:

Herpes symptoms usually appear about two to 12 days after intercourse. However, outbreaks can happen long after sex as well.It’s important to see a healthcare provider as soon as symptoms appear.

Early diagnosis of genital herpes is key. Taking antiviral medication during a first outbreak can not only make it shorter, but it can also make future outbreaks less likely. This is true for both mild and severe outbreaks.

Genital Herpes Diagnosis

To diagnose genital herpes, a healthcare provider might:

Genital Herpes Complications for MenFor men, complications of genital herpes can include:During a first outbreak and in rare cases, there can be a risk of meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord and brain membrane)Genital ulcers if a person has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and genital herpes that is untreatedGreater risk of other STIs, includingHIVRashes on other areas of the body, including around the eyes

Genital Herpes Complications for Men

For men, complications of genital herpes can include:During a first outbreak and in rare cases, there can be a risk of meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord and brain membrane)Genital ulcers if a person has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and genital herpes that is untreatedGreater risk of other STIs, includingHIVRashes on other areas of the body, including around the eyes

For men, complications of genital herpes can include:

During a first genital herpes outbreak, it can be important to get treatment with antiviral medications, even for mild cases. The risk of future outbreaks is higher with a longer or more difficult first outbreak. For pregnant partners, treatment is especially important, as genital herpes can be passed on to a fetus or unborn child. In rare cases, untreated herpes can even cause brain disorders.

Three commonly prescribed antiviral medications for genital herpes are:

The medications are taken in three ways:

First episode:At the onset of an outbreak, to shorten its duration, the drug is usually taken three times a day for seven to 10 days

Episodic: Medications are taken whenever a herpes outbreak appears. This requires one to two pills a day for one to five days, depending on the medication and dose.

To manage an outbreak with or without medication, it can also help to:

Preventing Genital HerpesThere are several ways to decrease or minimize the chance of getting or spreading herpes, including:Correct condom use, including covering all infected areas if someone has herpesAvoiding genital, anal, or oral sex when a partner has sores or other symptoms like itching or tinglingNot sharing sex toys or not sharing them without washing or using condoms

Preventing Genital Herpes

There are several ways to decrease or minimize the chance of getting or spreading herpes, including:Correct condom use, including covering all infected areas if someone has herpesAvoiding genital, anal, or oral sex when a partner has sores or other symptoms like itching or tinglingNot sharing sex toys or not sharing them without washing or using condoms

There are several ways to decrease or minimize the chance of getting or spreading herpes, including:

Summary

Symptoms of genital herpes for men include sores around the genitals, anus, or mouth; a foul-smelling discharge from the urethra, pain urinating, and flu-like symptoms like swollen nodes and body aches. Genital herpes sores can look like red blisters, and they can sometimes be small enough to be confused for a pimple. Some sores can break open and then heal over time.

A Word From Verywell

While discussing genital herpes can be embarrassing, your health, as well as the health of your partners, is important. Talking to partners openly while taking medication, watching for outbreaks, and taking preventive measures, can ease your mind.

Herpes may be mistaken for the following:

Learn MoreWhat Is That Bump on My Penis?

Herpes sores are red and can look like blisters. At times, herpes sores can be small and mild, which can lead some to think their sores are simply genital pimples. At times, herpes sores can break and heal in a process that takes two to four weeks.Learn MoreHerpes

Herpes sores are red and can look like blisters. At times, herpes sores can be small and mild, which can lead some to think their sores are simply genital pimples. At times, herpes sores can break and heal in a process that takes two to four weeks.

Learn MoreHerpes

Herpes sores can take about a week to heal if they break open. In general, a first herpes outbreak could take two to four weeks to completely heal. Antiviral medication can shorten the length of outbreaks, and a shorter first outbreak can decrease the chances of future outbreaks.Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Herpes

Herpes sores can take about a week to heal if they break open. In general, a first herpes outbreak could take two to four weeks to completely heal. Antiviral medication can shorten the length of outbreaks, and a shorter first outbreak can decrease the chances of future outbreaks.

Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Herpes

14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpesEnding HIV.5 symptoms of herpes.NHS.Penis lumps and spots.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for genital herpes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: Genital herpes.National Human Genome Research Institute.Anitbody.National Library of Medicine.Genital herpes: Overview.NHS.Genital herpes.National Health Service (UK).Genital warts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Molluscum contagiosum.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.Aldahan AS, Brah TK, Nouri K.Diagnosis and management of pearly penile papules.Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(3):624-7, doi:10.1177/1557988316654138Szöllősi, A.; Oláh, A.; Bíró, T. et al.Recent advances in the endocrinology of the sebaceous gland.Dermatoendocrinol.2017;9:1. doi:10.1080/19381980.2017.1361576Le Cleach L, Chosidow O. Lichen Planus.N Engl J Med. 2012;366(8):723-32.

14 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpesEnding HIV.5 symptoms of herpes.NHS.Penis lumps and spots.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for genital herpes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: Genital herpes.National Human Genome Research Institute.Anitbody.National Library of Medicine.Genital herpes: Overview.NHS.Genital herpes.National Health Service (UK).Genital warts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Molluscum contagiosum.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.Aldahan AS, Brah TK, Nouri K.Diagnosis and management of pearly penile papules.Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(3):624-7, doi:10.1177/1557988316654138Szöllősi, A.; Oláh, A.; Bíró, T. et al.Recent advances in the endocrinology of the sebaceous gland.Dermatoendocrinol.2017;9:1. doi:10.1080/19381980.2017.1361576Le Cleach L, Chosidow O. Lichen Planus.N Engl J Med. 2012;366(8):723-32.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpesEnding HIV.5 symptoms of herpes.NHS.Penis lumps and spots.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for genital herpes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: Genital herpes.National Human Genome Research Institute.Anitbody.National Library of Medicine.Genital herpes: Overview.NHS.Genital herpes.National Health Service (UK).Genital warts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Molluscum contagiosum.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.Aldahan AS, Brah TK, Nouri K.Diagnosis and management of pearly penile papules.Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(3):624-7, doi:10.1177/1557988316654138Szöllősi, A.; Oláh, A.; Bíró, T. et al.Recent advances in the endocrinology of the sebaceous gland.Dermatoendocrinol.2017;9:1. doi:10.1080/19381980.2017.1361576Le Cleach L, Chosidow O. Lichen Planus.N Engl J Med. 2012;366(8):723-32.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes

Ending HIV.5 symptoms of herpes.

NHS.Penis lumps and spots.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for genital herpes.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: Genital herpes.

National Human Genome Research Institute.Anitbody.

National Library of Medicine.Genital herpes: Overview.

NHS.Genital herpes.

National Health Service (UK).Genital warts.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Molluscum contagiosum.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.

Aldahan AS, Brah TK, Nouri K.Diagnosis and management of pearly penile papules.Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(3):624-7, doi:10.1177/1557988316654138

Szöllősi, A.; Oláh, A.; Bíró, T. et al.Recent advances in the endocrinology of the sebaceous gland.Dermatoendocrinol.2017;9:1. doi:10.1080/19381980.2017.1361576

Le Cleach L, Chosidow O. Lichen Planus.N Engl J Med. 2012;366(8):723-32.

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