Lymphogranuloma Venereum
(LGV)

Symptoms

Symptoms of LGV usually begin to appear 3 days after initial infection. However, they can appear as late as 30 days after infection. There are 3 stages of LGV, each one with its own set of symptoms.

The only symptom during the first stage is tiny, painless blisters on the penis or the vagina. They heal very quickly. One may also experience sores in the mouth.

The second stage occurs anywhere from 2-6 weeks after the end of the first stage. Symptoms can include:

• Build-up of lymph fluid in the genital area and in the rectum for women
• Build-up of lymph fluid in the groin for men (buboes)
• Breakdown of skin over the fluid build-up, allowing fluid to drain
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Pain in the abdomen, anus, and back and pelvis for women
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Fever
• Difficulty urinating
• Weight loss
• Bleeding from the rectum
• Difficulty having a bowel movement
• Irritation of the anus and rectum
• Constant feeling like you need to have a bowel movement

LGV will progress to the third stage without proper treatment at the first and second stages. Symptoms of the third stage include:

• Abscesses – pockets of pus- where there was fluid build-up
• Deformed genitals
• A narrowing of the rectum that can make it hard to have a bowel movement
• Genital swelling
• Anal fistula – small channel connecting an abscess inside the anus to a skin lesion outside the anus. These can be very painful.
• Pelvic floor dysfunction – this condition leads to an inability to correctly use the muscles in the pelvis. This can look like having difficulty passing a bowel movement, trouble urinating, pain during sexual intercourse, and erectile dysfunction if you are a male.