What is it?

[kdg1223]

I am 20 years old and I have been sexually active for 5 years now. Before I became sexually active, maybe when I was 13, I began to notice bumps on my vagina. They weren't frequent but most times, now, I notice them around my period. Moreso, lately, I have been worried, maybe due to over reaction, because I see these bumps and they are first ingrown and now one of them have turned red and the other has actually bled a little....I feel so embarrassed to write this....I'm worried because I'm not sure what it is and I've bee researching what it may be but I have gotten different answers. Few have been similar in saying it may be herpes (I'm tearing up as I type this). So if anyone may know what it may be please advise me. I can upload a picture if you'd like to visibly see what I'm talking about. I've been to the  doctors before and each time I've been tested I've never gotten results for herpes; they were always negative. I've been losing sleep over this too and my reaction to this is very concerned so if anyone knows what may be wrong please let me know....

[gracefromHHP]

if there is a planned parenthood near you, they charge based on income. no income and often they have other means to get you seen.

If you don't have insurance, you need to be aware of options in your community. Have you ever checked with your local health department to see what options there are?

if this is a bacterial infection that goes untreated, it will only get worse so finding a place to be seen is the best course of action.  I don't recommend the local ER. they charge way too much for visits and genital issues are not their cup of tea.

grace

[kdg1223]

I don't have insurance and I don't work so I can't pay for a visit. The clinics don't test for it and that's where I was gonna go. I thought about going to a hospital but I don't want it to end up on my credit.

[gracefromHHP]

has your bf been tested to know his herpes status? odds are he's never been tested for it either.

go and be seen and get checked out to see what is going on currently.

[kdg1223]

I've had blood tests for HIV/AIDs and syphilis, but I was recently informed that the clinics here don't test for herpes. And I've been trying to compare my bumps to those of herpes and it mine don't come close. Mine is more so like a bump you get on your face like a big pimple or something. Isn't herpes like smaller bumps in a group, for instance, if u pour acid on something and a bunch of bubbles pop up isn't it like that? If so I don't have that problem! And my boyfriend is clean. But thanks for clearing that up for me.

[gracefromHHP]

we don't look at pictures here. why not is explained in our read before posting post on this forum.

anything that has been there since before you were sexually active, isn't a herpes issue.  sounds like most of what you are concerned about is completely normal except for the newest symptoms you have.   i recommend going to be seen for what is going on now to get a better idea of what is going on.

when you have been tested for herpes - what testing have they done? have you had lesion cultures done, blood testing or both?  has your current partner been tested to know their status?

grace