Aa
What are the chances that this is herpes?
I have had problems with vulvar fissuring since I was about 15. I first went to the gynecologist at age 16 after my first sexual encounter and the doctor recommended testing for lichen sclerosis, etc. However, I never told my parents, and did not yet have a car, so I did not go back. Ever since, doctors have commented on how my vulvar skin looked irritated, and wondered if I had cut myself on shaving since I had a few scars from past fissures. I have been treated for BV and yeast infections, but the fissuring still seems to come back 1-2 times per year. I can often associate it with changes in my soaps/detergents, but that is not always the case.
I have never noticed a vesicle (anywhere), and have never had a cold sore. The fissuring is linear, and follows the nartural folds of my labia. There is a whitish "plaque" that rubs off easily around the fissures.
Furthermore, I have had 3 sexual partners. One at age 16, one at 17, one at 19. I have been back with my first partner since age 19, 5 years ago. He has never had any sort of outbreak that remotely resembles herpes.
I never considered herpes because I have had this problem since before I was sexually active. However, I swam competitively and shared swim suits on occasion with teammates, so I suppose this could be a route of transmission. I recently had a lecture that described the presentation of herpes as "fissuring" and I am now a bit worried that I could possibly have had it all along!
I have never noticed a vesicle (anywhere), and have never had a cold sore. The fissuring is linear, and follows the nartural folds of my labia. There is a whitish "plaque" that rubs off easily around the fissures.
Furthermore, I have had 3 sexual partners. One at age 16, one at 17, one at 19. I have been back with my first partner since age 19, 5 years ago. He has never had any sort of outbreak that remotely resembles herpes.
I never considered herpes because I have had this problem since before I was sexually active. However, I swam competitively and shared swim suits on occasion with teammates, so I suppose this could be a route of transmission. I recently had a lecture that described the presentation of herpes as "fissuring" and I am now a bit worried that I could possibly have had it all along!
You had these symptoms start before you were sexually active so if you do have genital herpes, it's not the cause of everything going on.
At this point you need to go see a gyn and probably also consider seeing a dermatologist ( preferably one with a specialty in vulvovaginal disease if you can find one ). They can work together to find out what is going on with your skin. You never followed up on all of this from the sounds of things and why continue to suffer if you can get a proper diagnosis and have treatment that works for you? Since herpes is on your mind, get a type specific herpes igg blood test to see what your status is - not because you might have it as much as it's the sexually responsible thing to do and you want to know your status before you start having children anyways ( and sometimes that happens long before we are planning on it to happen too! ).
grace
At this point you need to go see a gyn and probably also consider seeing a dermatologist ( preferably one with a specialty in vulvovaginal disease if you can find one ). They can work together to find out what is going on with your skin. You never followed up on all of this from the sounds of things and why continue to suffer if you can get a proper diagnosis and have treatment that works for you? Since herpes is on your mind, get a type specific herpes igg blood test to see what your status is - not because you might have it as much as it's the sexually responsible thing to do and you want to know your status before you start having children anyways ( and sometimes that happens long before we are planning on it to happen too! ).
grace
Unless it burns like helly when you urinate, it isn't herpes.
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
